Religion and politics has always been a heady cocktail. Political leaders have long relied on religious sentiments to attract votes. The earliest politicians would call upon religion to win the favor of the people. In modern day politics, the question of religion still plays a major role. Citizens of a country where a convincing majority follow the same religion often want their leader to be a God-fearing man. They feel the tug at their heart strings when they are called upon in some form of duty toward religion. Sometimes it's even more fervent and powerful than patriotism. In St. Vincent and Grenadines, vast sections of the population are Roman Catholics. That is the advantage that Ralph Gonsalves wants to use when he calls on the question of religion to get voters to elect him for a third time as Prime Minister.

St. Vincent and Grenadines go to vote this December 13. While declaring the date for elections, Ralph Gonsalves stated that he decided on the date "after prayerful reflection". Ralph was often heard quoting from the Psalms during his election speeches. On the surface, you can never doubt that this man wears his religion on his sleeves. But if you scratch the surface, you will realize that there is little of faith or humanity in this person. His talk about love and mercy is all old wives' tales! He has repeatedly demonstrated through his actions that he fears nothing: not the laws of the land and neither the laws of religion. His personal pleasures are of more value to him than the country or its image.

Look at what he's done to the country of St. Vincent and Grenadines. Everything that was supposed to work in SVG failed to tick. The tourism sector that once battled all odds and made good forays into the international community, is now distraught. Honeymoon couples, the demographic among whom this country was most popular, decided to give this place a slip after reports of sexual assault on women came to the surface. As many as four women stepped up and accused the Prime Minister of the country, Ralph Gonsalves, of rape and sexual harassment. One of them was a policewoman and another was a Toronto-based human rights lawyer. People, especially women, were no longer safe in the country. When the citizens themselves felt the insecurity, imagine what tourists would feel!

Crimes against women are only the tip of the iceberg for Ralph Gonsalves. He has orchestrated the murder of every voice that wanted to rise up in protest. Remember the case of Glen Jackson? He fell out with the political clout of Ralph Gonsalves. He wanted to testify against the regime in a court of law. Hours before he was supposed to appear in a court, he was found murdered in his car. The police made a symbolic arrest. Every citizen in SVG knows who did it. I leave you know to decide if such a man is justified in calling upon God to ask for votes!