In this day and age, the use of the social media as a means of communications has become a force with which ever politician must reckon.  For those of us who want to reach voters, and in particular young voters, one of the most effective ways is by using tools like Facebook, twitter and the like.

Some time ago I established a Facebook page which continues to grow.  Many of my Facebook friends are young Belizeans or people who are interested in Belizean issues.   On a daily basis, people post their opinions on issues that are of importance to all of us as a people and a nation.

Of course not everyone who signed up on my Facebook page is a party supporter or even a supporter of John Briceño, but each and every one of the thousands of friends on my page care deeply about Belize and about the future of our country.

On a daily basis, they express concern about the future of our beloved Belize.  They post comments that call on all of us in roles of leadership to work harder at restoring confidence in the Belizean economy.  They are crying out for some real action to be taken to reverse the ever growing crime situation gripping the nation.    Some of them talk about the fact that our youth seem to have no outlet for their energies and they lack that optimism which should be seen on the faces of the youth.   Ravaged and made desperate by poverty, many of our youth are angry at opportunities denied.

While there can be as many opinions as there are posts listed on my Facebook page, one thing remains constant - people believe that there is a better way and that with every passing day we are wasting time in correcting what is wrong with our nation.

It is not difficult to understand why so much of what is posted on my Facebook page expresses dissatisfaction with the state of affairs in Belize and with our leaders. After all, so much was promised and so little is being delivered by this current administration.  They promised to bring down the cost of living “NO MATTER WHAT!” yet today the cost of living continues to skyrocket.  They promised to make the cost of fuel at the pumps cheaper; today fuel is well above $10 per gallon.  They said they would create jobs - 5,000 new ones to be specific and today unemployment has gone from 8% to 14% in two short years.  Nothing seems to be working right and day by day more and more Belizeans are falling through the cracks into poverty.

Our once peaceful existence has been shattered by a rash of crime and violent behaviour never before seen in Belize.  Last year a record 132 murders were committed in Belize and 13 days into the New Year there have been three murders, one of the victims an innocent 12 year old girl.

No wonder there is so much mistrust and cynicism and loss of confidence in the political process and in political leadership.  It used to be that politicians worked hard to deliver on their promises and felt an obligation to be accountable to the people. Yet in today’s world, when everything is real time and it is so easy to check the facts, so many of our ministers talk and make promises they either cannot deliver on or refuse to do so.

One of my young facebook friends wrote: “Johnny in all fairness......just know that I have great respect for politicians in general.......it’s just dat sometimes there are greater issues and I get mad when I hear politicians straying away from the real reason we should be talking. I know it is not easy to be a leader.........but I just hope that u can reflect on what is really happening and seeing the Belizean people suffering more than 10 years now this country has been going more and more down the drain and there is statistical data to show that too...not just speaking......I speak with facts...and u know the truth as well...............don't feel victimized by our words ...I am neutral in both party so don't feel that I belong to a specific party but for the meanwhile try to help me in my passion to revive and better off my country Belize.....I am dead serious and want the best for my country! Thanks!!!”

When we offer ourselves as leaders we have a responsibility to the people we serve; we are judged not only by what we say, but also by our actions and how they affect our country.   All of us are held to account for the promises we make.  We owe it to our people to do our part for Belize and for Belizeans.