Skip to main content

'mixup'


I had a great weekend. On Saturday I went to a TEDx Port of Spain series at Queen's Hall. It was a wonderful insight into the commitment to this country by a number of women, including a large number of youth. The intelligence and sheer brilliance of the presenters left me feeling very inadequate as though I was wasting my short time on earth. It also sent a very clear message that we are not alone, there are many people who feel for this country and are willing to fight for it, regardless.

The last couple days have shown that a political solution is not imminent. The level of politics is probably an all time low. MPs being asked to leave the Chamber by the Speaker, for some not once but twice, sends a very clear message that we are in somewhat of a fix. These so-called Members of Parliament are void of any responsibility, any measure of decorum, any real feeling of commitment to their constituents and the people they represent. The political party is the be all and end all. The next day headline is far more important than the true business of the people.

How can the main person in the Budget debate, the Minister of Finance, be asked to vacate the Chamber? Surely the PMOTT would have something to say, is this where we have reached, the lowest ebb in our politics?
The same evening all this was happening the ruling party had a political meeting in Belmont with the PMOTT stooping so low as to make reference to not meeting oil executives in 'my hotel room in my pajamas'.
This is the leadership that is going to get us out of the mess we have found ourselves in? We as a people cannot be serious if this is what we are prepared to accept. The political system, the Westminster system is not a good model for us and should be dumped. It may work well for others but for this island nation of mixup we need a system whereby we the people have full control. I am not speaking of socialism, communism or any 'Animal Farm' type politics but one where the people put the fear into the politicians if they do not perform.

The level of leadership, the wanton disdain for us the people, the complete disregard for what we want and the mismanagement of the business of the island is evident in our politics. The current system of politics does not work for us and needs to be thrown out carte blanche with a new start for this island nation. We are a model nation what with race and religion but somehow this has presented us with a unique problem. The politics is set to destroy this very unique model and if we are not careful it will be the end of us. Stupid politics will do us in!

So what is happening this week on the rock, more debate on an already concluded budget. All the more reason to dump the political system. The next couple weeks of Parliamentary time is wasted because of a failed governance system.

This island could be a model nation, an example to the world, a real place to live. Our politics sends us in the wrong direction, it removes any hope of us being, not necessarily first world, but a better world. We are better than this and we need to recognize our commitment and demand the change.

Stay up rock! It can happen and will happen!

Good night and good luck!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Peace and quiet

When you hear the words 'perfect' or 'the best' it makes you feel like a million dollars. Human nature is weird, a simple compliment can turn a whole story into a week of joy! And, yes, I am speaking about the Sunday night popcorn! Apparently, tonight was exceptional. I hope the rest of the week translates into 'perfect'. The horrible news of the deaths of two cyclists over the weekend came as a real shock. We both know a number of people who cycle for good weekend sport and to hear of Joe Brown being killed in an accident was truly heart-rending. When we heard of the accident we started to think of all the people we know who cycle and just hoped it might be somebody we did not know. Is this how it works, you hope that it's not someone you know, what about all the people who actually know the person? Truly a sad day! RIP Joe and Joanna! The issue of cycling and motorists is one that every country I am sure goes through. Is it that the main roads are for...

price of fried chicken

One of the things I think I learnt in politics is that it is better to 'take in front before in front take you'. By coming up front and dealing with a situation is by far the preferred way rather than others setting the tone, you must control the narrative. Seeing the pictures of the MP in Washington D.C after recovering from a long illness was for me a sad indictment of how we treat people on the Rock. The MP became ill almost a year ago and even though the population knew of it the Government tried every which way to disguise, deny, gave information that did not stand up to scrutiny, avoiding the inquiries and basically telling the citizens to mind their own business. All the Government had to do was level up front with us, yes he was ill, he is suffering from 'X', he is in recovery, the Parliament has determined that he should be given leave of 'Y' months, we will keep you posted, full stop. No, instead we are given the old 'heave ho', with the pop...

'apology' expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone

Today Trinidad and Tobago was on fire. The discussions on the 'apology,' discussions on the status of the Parliament, everybody is now a certified meteorological expert reporting rainy season rain, people were out and about being very assertive about things that many of them did not really understand. Heat in the place! The statements being made, which caused the 'apology' to then be made, were being said, I think, without really understanding who we are as a people. This is 2017 and we still are having trouble in coming to grips with many social and historic issues that strangely enough are being discussed every day in many places and yet it is only a problem depending on who makes the statement. Let me say that the statement that was made was, even though to many factual, however it rubbed people the wrong way. This is where I have a problem. You read columns written by certain persons that under no circumstances will offend any sector of the society. That same posi...