Garrish RespondsDemocratic Capitalist Delegation Chairman Michael Garrish revisited a past issue this when he responded to charges of corruption alleged by the Charter Party.
The claim that our pro-devolution legislation is somehow corrupt or an attempt to break up the Republic is absolutely preposterous. The whole idea behind a federal republic is that there is a division of responsibility between the central government and the local governments. The DCD in its Democratic Capitalist philosophy believes in the central government, but simply has a very defined role for the central government in the philosophy. Unfortunately, the talking heads of the Charter Party did not take the time or put forth the effort to familiarize themselves with our party ideology, let alone the ideology of a federal system in general, before making radical claims about our intentions in Parliament. Fortunately, the people did when they took to the polls, and their approval of our philosophy reflected in the election results.
Other top DCD party officials weighed in on the matter, including Minister of Justice Elizabeth Shangraw.
If the DCD is corrupt for proposing that more power should be allocated closer to the people, then what are the staunch Unitarian parties who would impose their morals and social beliefs on the whole country rather than letting each region decide for itself? Not to mention, the Charter Party was very quick to accept our invitation to serve alongside the DCD in the government for a party which makes such egregious claims about our corruption. That alone should be an excellent indicator to the people that even top officials within the Charter Party who were making these claims knew them to hold no merit.
The late DCD response to claims of corruption comes as the DCD is introducing a new wave of legislation to Parliament, none of which addresses the issue of devolution. Many political analysts believe that the releasing of these statements, in addition to serving as a pre-emptive attack on any party which may challenge the merits of the DCD's latest legislation, are intended to set the stage for another round of pro-devolution legislation. President Wellington, striking a very neutral tone on the matter, released only the following short statement:
Anytime charges of corruption are being made about any party, it is a very serious matter for consideration. This government does not take corruption lightly, and will investigate all serious claims on the matter. Because corruption is such a grave matter, accusations of such should not be made with haste or without proper evidence. I believe that in this case, both parties are merely doing what they believe to be looking out for the best interests of the people.
The TBC will continue to monitor this story as new developments emerge.