Many rivers to cross before first world status

THE EDITOR: My only wish is to play a small role in waking up the people of Trinidad and Tobago to the realities of the global systems of economics and political evolution. Enough talk about Caroni and the Constitution. So many other important things need to be accomplished if we are to achieve first world status in the periods promised.

Firstly, Caroni must be put to bed soon and we all need to collectively move forward on positive objectives. Based on Keith Rowley’s calculations, Caroni owes many public and private entities well over $2 billion.  This is shameful and ridiculous. Why have all our Governments looked the other way while the treasury and many people’s investments were frittered away and placed at high risk? How many other cash cows are the tax payers of Trinidad and Tobago supporting instead of receiving improved social infrastructure? How much longer will we be borrowing money for the future (read “our children’s money”) to pay bills today? What about the UNC programme to collect vehicle taxes up front without any reserves being set aside for repairing roads and highways in the future?

The time is ripe for at least one more Commission of Inquiry — A commission to audit and explain government’s waste of tax dollars the past 41 years. One thing is very surprising, with our education and worldly knowledge — why have the people of Trinidad and Tobago not embraced the policy of a tax revolt? If I were to start a new political party, I am sure this would be a winning policy platform. By Sat Maharaj’s calculations every worker is entitled to ownership of the land the company they work for sits on; not just the workers of Caroni. Is equality not guaranteed in our Constitution and Laws? I cannot support his theory. After all, he seems to be pandering to his constituency and not to the people of the nation in general. This concept of land distribution would make squatting a legitimate nationally accepted way of life. It would cause governments worldwide to crumble and go bankrupt, if a trend was set in motion.

On the constitution, it is obvious that it was written by politicians to ensure that their power base is maintained. There are simply too many clauses that on the outside seem to benefit the people, but when read closer are designed to provide absolute power to the government of the day. This is why no government promotes constitutional change. However, change can come about in some very simple amendments to the existing Constitution. Firstly, we need to have an odd number of seats in Parliament. This way the probability of an election stalemate in what is considered a two party state will be minimised. Secondly, the Senate members appointed by the Government and the Opposition should be distributed according to the percentage of the popular vote not a fixed number (in the government’s favour) for each party.

One thing I learned years ago studying the Canadian Confederation was the words of the great John A Mac Donald who committed to the people of Canada that representation would be by direct vote or “Rep By Pop,” as it is referred to. We can not go the American route of election by selected people (Electoral College) as this system was designed to ensure that only one of two parties could ever hold the Presidency of the United States of America. Votes can be bought and traded in such a system as was clear in the last American election; where the obvious winner (by Trinidad and Tobago standards) lost to his opponent.

Thirdly, the election of our President should be by secret vote of “all elected and appointed” people in Trinidad and Tobago, that includes members of Parliament, members of the Senate, all elected members of regional governments and all members of the Judiciary. We could refer to this as a “Constitutional Assembly” or “National Congress”. It will ensure that the highest office in the nation is held by the person most supported by all representatives of the people. This assembly would also have exclusive powers to amend and change the constitution, not the government. Lastly, the only other change I suggest is that any amendments (additions, deletions, or changes) to the Constitution be approved or disapproved by a vote of all eligible voters through a national referendum.

Our Constitution looks good on paper but it becomes a joke when a few elected people have the power to change it without the consideration and approval of the people for which the same Constitution was designed. The beautiful thing is that all of the above could be done in a matter of days, not weeks years of decades. Imagine what a wonderful nation we would have? Imagine how Trinidad and Tobago would be recognised as a nation that truly embodies the concept of multiculturalism and unity of its people? Many nations only dream of achieving such high standards, Trinidad and Tobago is in a position where it can be the first nation in the world to make profound changes. Changes, which if adopted, would have ripple effects across our globe.

M ROBINSON
Toronto Canada