He who shouts loudest gets the job

THE EDITOR: I think our Prime Minister was quite correct in looking at the total picture of the devastation that has occurred in the Caribbean and its effects on us, our own economy especially. I therefore subscribe to his view and those of other Trinidadians and Tobagonians that there is a need for relief for these areas. For those who claim that we should look at Trinidad and Tobago first, actually, we are! Our well-being depends on the well-being of the other Caribbean islands and the sooner they get better so will it be for us. Who knows, this may spur the relevant governments to look into further Caribbean integration and cooperation especially with the advent of CSME. As a people we always respond readily to such events. I am supporting in my own way and will support other initiatives to provide assistance to these islands with special obvious emphasis on Grenada.

My concern, however, is the easy access to funds for the provision of relief when these situations occur. While I would accept that certain areas may be placed on the backburner so that funds may be made available I am not getting that impression from Trinidad and Tobago. Our economy is doing well. We have reserves. Yet it takes a disaster, a protest, strong embarrassing agitation to get the relevant authority to move in this country. Suddenly the Opposition is cooperating with the Government in this effort. Without a word on constitutional reform. Is the bandwagon of “Help for Grenada” so politically important? Is their motive altruistic? I wonder.

Can’t we consider the poverty and unequal distribution of the wealth of this country in effect a national disaster? Can’t we without the heavy bureaucracy involved by the little kings and queens in their territorial castles provide the assistance required to the needy, to the public at large? What are the thoughts of those advisers to the Government? Why is it a Minister or Member of Parliament has to get involved to unsnarl the web of complexity that entwines the efforts to get something done? Why is it “The Government” has to get involved for implementing and micromanaging matters that should be handled at a lower level because of the ineptitude that apparently exists?

For some time now we have been suffering from the situation of persons being placed in leadership roles but who are not leadership material, afraid to make decisions, unable to empathise with the wants for the average citizen. It is so unfortunate that we have developed a society (in my opinion) where those who portray real leadership qualities are categorised as troublemakers or loose cannons! We have neglected to  meld the experience and expertise of the elderly with that of the youths claiming it is their world so let them build it. We now pay that price since the youth of yesterday by this way of thinking, had little knowledgeable guidance for building constructively for today.

Unfortunately it would appear that common sense goes out with degrees, the inexperienced qualified neglect the experience of the unqualified. It also appears to me that he who shouts the loudest gets the job! Unfortunately we forget that empty barrels make the most noise. I implore today, without hope of much success, that those of us who are in positions to advance the cause of the middle income and lower class of our society wake up and actively pursue efforts to alleviate the inequality that exists at present. Our corporate decision-makers must assist also without pressing the need for “what is in this for me.” They should remember that the all-round health of their shareholders is in proportion to the health of the country or do those shareholders live here?

ALVIN NARINE
Port-of-Spain