Message from Calypso Fiesta

The apparent message from the competition was the very same people who complained about nepotism, cronyism and abuse of power under the People’s Partnership government are now angry that the PNM administration is not doing the same but for PNM supporters.

There seemed to be little or no concern for improved water distribution, upgrading the tourism package, rebuilding our infrastructure, upgrading our healthcare or modernising our education package to meet the demands of a changing world.

The cry emanating from the ground was for more handouts. It seemed that the PNM and especially Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley must now find a way to ignore the law, morality and common sense to ensure that people who traditionally support the PNM get choice jobs, contracts, food cards, houses and grants.

The same people who criticised the way some people were able to rise to positions like Senior Counsel are now crying out for similar action by the PNM, but in their favour.

In the last administration, there were reports that seemed to suggest that some contractors were able to access multimillion-dollar contracts without having the appropriate qualifications. Now the call from the ground is where is the PNM’s version of such action.

It is no wonder that politicians and political parties that are dedicated to equality, nation building, hard work and long-term planning are ignored.

The ground seems more interested in handouts, party, jamming and freeness than aspiring together to achieve development.

The message from our calypsoes seems oblivious to our economic challenges, the state of our agriculture or the growing acceptance of criminal activity as a norm.

When there are no more funds for grants and handouts, no businesses left to rob and our children are so filled with fear that they refuse to go to school, perhaps the lyrics will change to “children go to school and learn well, otherwise in life yuh go ketch real hell.” Steve Alvarez via email