Disenchanted, hungry and tear-gassed

It is obvious that people are taking drastic action in response to the under-development that exists. Nothing has changed since slavery was officially ended in the 19th century. The same old plantation economy structures still exist.

If authentic democratic structures had existed where poor people could voice their opinions on how the country should develop this would never have occurred. Some people think that ideas on development belong only to a small group of businessmen and academics. These are the same myopic, incompetent people who have allowed the country to reach this crisis stage.

During his short time as leader of the Grenadian Revolution, Maurice Bishop always argued that if given sufficient time the masses are capable of understanding any social or economic theory directly affecting their lives. Up until his death he sought to use village councils to participate in the preparation of the budget. Once explained in ordinary language the poor masses easily understand supposedly scholarly abstractions. Bishop correctly argued that the masses know their problems far better than the politicians and technocrats.

The present parliamentary system based on an old colonial model keeps the masses from participating in the developmental process. What relevance does it have to the poor in Mayaro, Laventille or Point Fortin? How does the economic system allow for mass participation by the citizens? The true owners of the national wealth are being deliberately shut out of the decision making process.

The golf courses, large malls and private medical clinics for the rich will only continue to drive a wedge between those who are benefitting from this planation type economy and the working class who only live on crumbs. It is truly frightening when poor people with hungry stomachs are tear-gassed because they are disenchanted with the under-development that exists. I shudder to think about where Trinidad and Tobago is heading.

RAPHAEL JOHN LALL

Buenos Ayres