Rethink Integrity Legislation
THE EDITOR: The letter written by a G Sampson-Brown which was published in your newspaper of January 19, 2006 gave me moments of much thought and consideration. Sampson-Brown defines members of the new privileged class as having the following characteristics: 1) They are worthy and qualified to hold trusted positions. 2) They refuse at this time to serve Trinidad and Tobago. 3) They do not need the additional work or money. There could, however be a subject to this grouping. They would be honest, experienced, honourable and talented people who were, in the main invited to serve. They might have also volunteered to contribute to our society but, after providing some service to Trinidad and Tobago, they were rejected or discouraged for frivolous or unclear reasons as put forward by the executive branch of the Government. In this respect, I refer to upstanding citizens as Christian Mouttet, Wendy lee Yuen, Hubert Alleyne, Marlene Coudray and others. We have to remember that our country, like most, is not over endowed with skill and talent and we need every able-bodied man and woman to help us to succeed in this competitive world. On the issue of the Integrity Act, many citizens and groups hold the view that society will find it non-productive and frustrating to attempt to apply legislation to integrity. Legislation as a whole always tends to mirror some sort of moral vision, usually designed to highlight the avoidance of some harm or wrong. But will the volatile moral decay in Trinidad and Tobago force us to attempt to legislate the four Cardinal virtues of Justice, Prudence, Temperance and Fortitude? Are we taking medicine that is too strong for the perceived illness? Let’s act intelligently on this one and rethink this Integrity Legislation. Most of us already accept and live by the tenet ‘Thou Shalt Not Steal.’ CHRISTOPHER MARCANO Woodbrook
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"Rethink Integrity Legislation"