Stop this spending spree

So, after a spendthrift budget, which gave not one break to the working population, more foolhardy choices and decisions are to be foisted on TT citizens, by Manning and Co Unlimited.

Not a week passes by, without strange, unjust and downright brazen pronouncements (read: Intentions to squeeze more money from us, or squander more of our money)

1. Minister Mariano Browne announced this week that in 2010, Property Taxes shall be increased.

Based on the value of one’s property. And why? “Because the fees are antiquated” Well, Mr Browne, in case you have not noticed, we in TT receive numerous antiquated services from your PNM government. Which means, that you are not entitled to charge us more for anything, unless you can prove to the population that your services are modern, efficient and professional.

a) Embarrassingly poor roads. Despite our Pitch Lake, good local cement and civil engineers.

Reason: No one in your government is interested in maintenance, safety, or a modern network throughout the country.

b) Antiquated garbage disposal system. We need separation of litter, recycling of all types, plastic, paper, bottles, glass, tin. This would usher in new industries. And job creation. That is useful and sustainable.

Old batteries, tyres, scrap metal?

Reality: an un-hygienic mass of all of these, dumped at the Beetham, or Tortuga sites. And many other places litter does not belong. Especially our water courses and seas. Not to mention industrial waste.

c) Frightful neglect of harnessing criminal gangs and the unlawful use of guns.

Mr Brown, please remind your Prime Minister and all in the Cabinet, of the latest Murder Toll, it is beyond 400 persons.

d) Neglect of maintenance on hospital equipment and vehicles. Remember the Mt Hope canteen staff member who spoke of antiquated work areas and un-hygienic conditions to prepare patients’ food?

Neglect of citizens at the hospitals, because of poor management.

e) Neglect of interest to preserve our green spaces. Check out President Jagdeo of Guyana’s masterful Tropical Forest Project. And the response it has had from developed nations!

f) Neglect of your duty to consider citizens’ needs, opinions, the real basics to create a civil nation.

Your government does not communicate with us, the people. You dictate, you push, you force your will onto us.

Isn’t there a different way? There is.

2. Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon announced that “the Government has no choice. We’ve considered the options. We must buy 200 luxury vehicles for the 2009 Summit of the Americas”. Citizens, two hundred!!! At what cost? This was not part of the budget.

Oh really! We must. Or Mr Manning and Co want?

What a nouveau riche and un-sound bunch this nation appears to be saddled with.

Heads of State of developed nations may be accustomed to some luxuries. But we should provide something that is economical and practical.

Especially in light of the global financial situation.

Why not let the PTSC purchase a few luxury buses instead? These can be rented out after for any large events.

We the people need to intervene. There is simply a continuous spending trend that is un-holy and irritational. Why should our nation, awash in funds, be pauperised into the future, by bad fiscal management? There does not appear to be any effort at finding economic, sustainable and sensible solutions by this government.

J Williams

Maracas Valley