Patrick needs a new Heart

THE EDITOR: All citizens are anxious for Mr Manning’s pacemaker operation, but my own prayer is for him to get a new heart, a change of heart, a heart devoid of his Red House obsession. What a great Prime Minister he could be, if instead of his preoccupation with the Red House for his office, he would connect with the citizens who are daily confronted with the many problems plaguing the nation. He should also read Suzanne Mills last Sunday. After his barrage of TV, radio, and press advertising, he failed to get the Police Reform Bill passed in Parliament. Few persons understood how a Police Manage-ment Authority would have succeeded where the Police Service Commission failed. Manning could have published a White Paper (like the draft on Local Government) explaining the rationale for abolishing the Police Service Commission.

He has given up on the people’s native common sense, and resorts to full-page colour advertisements as a substitute for effective government. He spends millions of tax dollars to brainwash the population ad nauseam. His published “Draft Policy on Local Government” claims “to promote greater citizen participation in Local Government,” which is about garbage collection and sewerage disposal, yet citizens cannot participate in siting their own Parliament. Not even the Parliament staff does he consult about his Red House obsession, while he contrives to eject Parliament from the Red House, and the Speaker wags his tail like an obedient puppy dog. Manning’s Red House obsession has him bazodee, while the nation disintegrates in chaos. Guns flowing freely into TT, but Manning wants the Red House.

A President’s guard is murdered, but Manning wants the Red House.  Ghalil arms snatched from under his nose, but Manning wants the Red House. Customs and Excise computers collapsed, but Manning wants the Red House. Cuban Ambassador robbed at home, but Manning wants the Red House. (Former) Senate President Wahid Ali is mugged, but Manning wants the Red House. Passport office has no passports, but Manning wants the Red House. Little Vijay kidnapped 55 days, but Manning wants the Red House. Hazel not delivering on education, but Manning wants the Red House. Port of Spain always under flood, but Manning wants the Red House. Tax and pension fund scandal at the NWRHA, but Manning wants the Red House.  TT crime epidemic will dash FTAA hopes, but Manning wants the Red House. Please Lord, give Patrick a new heart. Please, please, please.

MICHAEL J  WILLIAMS
Maracas Valley