Games our politicians play

THE EDITOR: I have to assume that my local government councillor is playing hopscotch with respect to the road repairs being done in the Bois Jean Jean, Moruga area. It appears to me that only selected streets are being repaired. Now, that is what I call “representative government.” Maybe, it is just a symbol of what politicians all over do: seeking and representing their own interests. Therefore, sir, I see that you have aspirations of becoming a Member of Parliament perhaps. Mountain climbing appears to be another sport that I must assume politicians play, since they elevate themselves as soon as they get elected into office and spend so much time up there where the air is rare. This, while their constituents are without the basic amenities in some cases. The lack of oxygen at those heights must be the reason for some of the nonsensical utterings they make, especially on political platforms and at post-Cabinet meetings, as I assume that the brain suffers the most. I make a plea, at this time, for some sanctioned body to carry out some research with respect to the existence and size of a politician’s brain as I fear that a lack of oxygen to this minuscule or mythical organ can have deadly consequences for the country.

Running from the public is also a sport that politicians and proto-politicians seem to be most adept at playing. I can assume that most of the older political dinosaurs are owners of toned bodies as all that running will build muscles. However I might have to correct myself since it is much easier these days to just drive away in your chauffeur-driven tinted SUV a luxury sedans. This is bearing in mind that once they are seated in comfort inside these vehicles or they do not feel the inconvenience of driving on a pothole-ridden road. The “blame game” can be considered to be essential as this is one of the first sports that all politicians play. If something goes wrong, you do not accept responsibility. It is easier to just run from it and pass the culpability on to someone else. The new holder of the blame always seems to be clueless but after much study, I am of the opinion that looking and being clueless have become present in all politicians. Perhaps, it was a genetic mutation.
 
This all leads to Vision 2020. The ambitious plan to have Trinidad leap from “third world” to “developed” country status in now 17 years. However, I ask: What is the use of looking forward to 2020 when we can’t get past 1940s infrastructure? I live in 2003. Some parts of the country are without pipe-borne water and electricity. Vision 2020. The facilities being used by the public service seem to have been constructed a little after the first man started to walk upright. Vision 2020. Computerising a government takes more than three years and inter-ministerial networking is an unheard concept. Vision 2020. Massive government complexes while a little over 40 percent of the citizens live in poverty and the number of the working poor increases. Vision 2020. Belligerent doctors and a hapless Health Ministry. Vision 2020. The exploding HIV/AIDS epidemic and family life education. Vision 2020. The creation of illiterate future nationals and an antiquated curriculum with the kind compliments of the Education Ministry. Vision 2020. Globalisation also known as neo-colonialism. Vision 2020. Who are the ones planning this Vision 2020? Who are the ones there to ensure the implementation of this Vision 2020? Who are the ones to lead us to this? He or she is exercising now.

G M J COOPER
Moruga