Imparting Grace- an Attempt or Contempt?

"The political function of 'the right of free speech' is to protect dissenters and unpopular minorities from forcible suppression - not to guarantee them the support, advantages, and rewards of a popularity they have not gained."
— Ayn Rand (The Virtue of Selfishness)

I read this beautiful quote from Ayn and got frisky about an article, published in the local paper, my good learned Uncle Severin wrote in response to the Prime Minister's public statement that he is a beneficiary of the Government's 'handout'. I couldn't resist writing and of course laughing! Politics can be fun if we learn to loosen up and take ourselves less seriously at times! So here goes, laugh with me...well you must read his article to really laugh mine, seriously!

I seek to applaud the fearlessness and courage portrayed by Dr. Francis Severin in taking time out to express in a rather poignant manner the inner workings of what has been popularly coined the “Red Clinic.” Whether or not this had been his intent or purpose, he has in a very long and laborious manner extol, état de grace, what many have attempted to explain, critic, debase or elevate through countless media across Dominica. I wish to extend my sincere commendations to such brevity by individuals who see it fit to provide the necessary respectable exposure and requisite information that confirms what they themselves are vulnerable to adjudge as an attack on their personhood. You have done well, Uncle!

Still one should be very worried indeed of attempting to beg, rather flatter, the public into believing that that which you received of the Head of Government is very “different” or may we say in…”comparable to mine!” With those fading eyes I reluctantly accepted to see only one difference between the referred to “lady” and yourself: she’s obviously female; your gender is of-course apparent! Taking a clue from your writings, perhaps you may be extremely suggestive of your term or hyperbolic utterance such as “[…] not playing a chambermaid […].” I do hope your meaning was less inclined to such insinuation.

But less we get diverted, the Hon. Prime Minister, a Politician, seeks, as you have most gracefully confirmed, to express the natural and general distaste of individuals who seek to vilify and misalign individuals who choose to publicly express their gratitude for favors, entitlements received from the hands of the Government whether deserving, qualified or not. It is necessary, I dare say with bold abandon, to show that in the scheme of things we all at one point or another in possession of some unwarranted impediment requiring external redress and qualifying intervention. Man we just need a “Red Clinic” at some point in our life despite our best efforts at being ignorant or without a clue as to what transpires. Yes, at the moment of need, we follow the express pathway as everyone else in a similar circumstance. Moreover we always remain “committed” to that “course of action” because it not beneficial to do otherwise, at the time!

I'm screaming here; what is so wrong with that? Isn't it worth talking about? I'm inclined to make the analogy of the Pharisee, alas permit me: “The man who did this cannot be from God, for he does not obey the [constitutional] law, John 9:16. (Insert mine sub for Sabbath) in their usual attempt to discredit the claims of restoration of sight made by the poor blind man about 2000 years ago. Does the need of someone perhaps of a lesser persuasion, less endowed education, or as you would say, be of “chambermaid” qualifications less deserving than you? Am I missing something here? Why would one who holds in esteem the platitudes of higher education resort to such extensive, extended, rather overtly protracted response to a simple fact, even if the fact “statutes of limitations (as it were) has run out […]”? At least you have confirmed the Labor Politicians’ point: you got and were not qualified just as others do today, irrespective of how subtly you may denigrate them!

Still am getting more confused: I heard the Hon. Prime Minister’s statement in which he invoked your name and all of a sudden you are gallivanting from one medium to another condemning his utterance. Am confused, why one must go at such lengths to defend their brevity, their “socio-political midwifery role” as if all you want to do is distance yourself from the trappings of the Government.

I would just remain silent; why "family and friends" must be invoked? How do you explain your words by doing just what you say you will not do: “grovel and crawl” delimiting your background, pride, dignity, and self-worth in the process; as for your education, can I ask whether or not you are a politician or a social scientist? Well both perhaps; should we treat you otherwise?

I’m enlightened by the outcome of this exchange of words you have resorted to in response to the Hon. Prime Minister's statement. All my confusion about what you call the Red Clinic has gone, because from my simple view what you have so painstakingly described is no different from what transpires with everyone who has an impediment in meeting the full requirements to qualify for a government entitlement. Yes they all seek an audience with the Hon. Prime Minister (in most occasions in his capacity, as defined by law, as Minister of Finance) and when granted the privilege they, just as you, receive the opportunity to obtain a waiver of their disqualification.

Hey you know what is most admirable? They are all given a listening ear. Nothing beats that, and like all those who have been given the opportunity to have an audience with the Hon. Prime Minister, they got an earful…yes indeed! I’m a bit tickled to just know that you, Dr. Severin, were a recipient despite all the ranting! And am pleased to inform your audience that it is necessary to use self-proclaimed socio-political midwifes as the rudder to gauge the effectiveness and relevance of any government’s public support programme – who would you use, Dr. Severin? Just suggesting an area for further research or just more talk!

Moreover thank you for so courageously confirming the politicians’ message to Dominicans that the public support and individual response of the Roosevelt Skerrit Labour Government is not only color blind but very indiscriminate. I therefore wish to say no more but to “impart grace, (well lace with laughter, respectable ridicule, and pure delight) to the hearers;” Aah in this case, “readers.” So I beseech you, my dear Uncle, to keep writing!