God help us all
THE EDITOR: Begrudgedly, I must agree with your insight editorial of October 21, 2005, entitled, "Full Circle after 12 years." Unfortunately, like you, I do not believe that the "Death March" will have an impact on the politicians that the organisers and public thinks that it will have . I support it totally and applaud the efforts of its organisers. But, I don’t think it will, in the long run, amount to a hill of beans. It is sad to say, but these politicians are so entrenched in their arrogance and stubbornness that they can disregard the will and wishes of the people (who elected them and pays their salaries) and do just what they want, when they want, with no fear of any political penalty to pay. That is the main reason the PNM can treat the citizenry with such contempt, disrespect and disregard as to have none of the cabinet members of the government supporting the efforts of the Keith Noel #136 Committee’s Death March last weekend. Also, the country’s political system (Westminster) also does not allow for independent thought or action by cabinet members. If the prime minister is not in favour of something, then, regardless of the views of the other members; then it better not happen. If you do otherwise against the PM, you do so at your peril. It will surely mean your death-knell as one of the "inside boys", (ask Point Fortin MP Larry Achong). It is apparent that the PM does not support this peoples’ march, so therefore, no other cabinet members supported it either. How ludicrous. The PNM boys (and gals) can feel and act the way they do because the opposition UNC party is perceived as weak and impotent and not a serious threat to the PNM’s re-election at the next general election. That is why the PM keeps threatening to call early elections to catch the UNC off guard and at their weakest. The PNM knows (or feels) that as a political party, it is in full control and has nothing to fear from the electorate, come election time. That kind of arrogant attitude is in part what caused them to lose the election in 1995. Added to that the country’s soaring crime rates in 2005 (murders and kidnappings especially), and peoples’ disgust with their deteriorating quality of life; and they may be up for a rude awakening. Unfortunately the Opposition does not appear to have its house in order to assume the role of government. Therefore, the citizens are left with little alternative to the PNM (and the PNM knows it and is taking full advantage of it). Add to that, the problems of racial and ethnic politics and you can see the mess the country is in; with no foreseeable solution at hand. God help us all! KEVIN C JAMES Port-of-Spain
Comments
"God help us all"