Serving Others or Serving Self
A recent commentary published on Virgin Islands News Online argues that society should prioritise helping others rather than accumulating wealth that benefits a few. It criticises local and global leadership failures — from strained health systems to economic policies that undermine local production — and sets out a list of policy ideas to strengthen the BVI’s social and economic resilience.
A commentary on Virgin Islands News Online warns that societies risk self-destruction when they prioritise personal wealth over collective wellbeing, and urges the British Virgin Islands to reorient public policy toward supporting people here at home. The author points to global trends — overwhelmed hospitals, stretched prisons and ageing populations — and highlights how systems like the UK’s National Health Service and the US Affordable Care Act face political and financial pressure.
Locally, the piece argues, the Territory’s National Health Insurance and public health systems are failing to use their power to reduce harms and improve outcomes, with policymakers too quick to blame others while creating strains that could render NHI nonfunctional. Economically, the commentary criticises the pattern of exporting US dollars to buy foreign goods and services that could be produced locally, arguing that this stifles entrepreneurship, hampers job creation and weakens long-term self-sufficiency.
The author calls for a change in mindset: less celebration of foreign validation and more investment in local human resources, health and education as core national assets. The piece is also political, expressing concern about repeated constitutional exercises and outside interventions — referenced as COI and Constitution schemes — that are presented as progress but may instead perpetuate historic inequities.
The writer says the Territory abandoned demands for reparations and instead chases honours, while failing to develop real economic independence. To tackle these problems the commentary proposes a list of concrete reforms, including: - Human and civil rights protections for all - Access to and ownership of real estate - Company and employment rights and privileges - State-assisted higher education - Replace prison sentencing for child support with better collection methods - Provision of public defenders for indigent defendants - Salaries for civil servants and politicians set by public arbitration - Support and subsidies for farming, fishing and local manufacturing - Reduction or removal of income tax for VIslanders and local companies - Increases in Social Security and NHI contributions and benefits - Housing assistance for first-time homeowners The author closes with a call for new voices and leadership, urging the Territory’s youth to demand truth and accountability while pledging to continue the struggle for as long as possible.
For BVI residents, the piece serves as a reminder that local policy choices on health, education, economic development and governance will shape whether future generations experience true freedom and self-sufficiency.
Primary source: VINO