Political failure: Don’t know or don’t care?

The first type of politician is called a patriot; these are the men and women who care deeply about our country, our compatriots and about rights and justice for every person living within our borders; regardless of race, religion, or country of origin, and will always do whatever it takes to ensure the success and progress of our twin-island republic. They are a rare breed, but we’ve had several of them grace the halls of our Parliament; the quintessential example being former prime minister and president, ANR Robinson. Robinson cared little about political longevity and much more about what decisions were most beneficial for Trinidad and Tobago.

To fall into this category, one must have unwavering integrity, class, intelligence and fearlessness to do what is necessary regardless of the prospective political backlash. And in addition to possessing all these traits, this politician must be a practical visionary like former prime minister, Patrick Manning.

The second type is called a traitor. Not much explanation is required to explain who falls into this category, but, simply put, a traitor is any politician who uses his/her political power to pillage and plunder the treasury and other vital resources of the country. The traitor is the type of politician that the patriot would have investigated, exposed and passed laws to imprison - preferably for lengthy periods. These people do not deserve much of our attention outside of investigations into their finances and media coverage for their trials.

The third type is the swamp monster who has lived in the swampy corrupt waters of politics for decades and they love it. The swamp monster does not care about the future of the country as a whole because they have significantly benefited from the perks of the position and s/he and his/her family are already set for life. This type of politician still pretends to care by using all the nefarious political language and skill attained over the years while touting their experience as a benefit to the people. Swamp monsters are skilled at spinning tops in mud to give the impression of trying, but are as useless as a glass hammer.

The fourth type is the useful idiot who actually wants to do good for the country, but lacks leadership aptitude. In Trinbago, useful idiots are sophists who may actually be reformed swamp monsters at the end of their political careers, trying to make amends before riding into the sunset; however, their attempts do more harm than good because they use old strategies to solve current issues and ignore any and all advice, similar to Dr Eric Williams’ attitude towards all his political opponents right before using his favourite insult: idiot.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, there’s another option in the words of former senator Mark Thomas Inskip Julien on April 15, 1975 during a debate of an amendment to the Industrial Relations Act: “It might seem strange that I have come to the conclusion that what this country needs at least for a short period of five years is a benevolent dictatorship.

Its main task would be to get rid of all lawlessness and indiscipline which now exist in this country.

The next task is to put the economy of the country on a proper footing, getting rid of all the obstructionists and to inculcate in the hearts and the minds of the citizens a sense of loyalty – loyalty first to their God; loyalty second to their country, and thirdly, loyalty to their fellowmen.

After that period we can have an assessment made to see if it has worked and what is the next course we should take. Before I die I should like this country get back to what it was: the happiest and most peaceful country in the world.” This is what Trinbago needs.

In 2020, the disengaged public must wake up and demand more by rejecting the current breed of pseudo- politicians and only offer support to a young, strong political leader who puts the national interest above that of his own and his party.

Ultimately, we should accept nothing less than a patriot who is willing at times to be a benevolent dictator as our next p r i m e minister.