The blind being led

A recent article by Mr. Gladston Cuffie, in the Trinidad Express entitled "What must Govt do", is just another indication of the blind faith politics that we experience here in Trinidad and Tobago. His rant about all the things that the current government is doing just shows that there are those who actually buy into the propaganda being spread by the ruling party. He is not the only one and this is what worries me.

The government is doing a lot, that is not the problem. The problem Mr. Cuffie is what the government is doing and how resources are being allocated. An aluminium smelter would be a cash cow and provide jobs to many, but do you not find it strange that a country like Brazil rejected the construction of one of these plants? This is a country that willingly destroys millions of acres of rainforest each year to sustain its economy, so why would they not jump at this project? I would ask questions my good sir. The rail project is another excellent idea. However would the money not be better spent on infrastructure to ensure pipe borne water to every corner of the island? Or perhaps implementation of a ferry system between trinidad and tobago from toco? Whatever happened to the interchange system by the Nestle junction? What would happen to all th taxi drivers and maxi operators? Will this solve the traffic situation? Why not just implement car pooling restrictions and have police actually do their jobs?

I am all for providing adequate housing to people who need it but why give away lands that are already set up for farming to non farmers? Have you seen the price for tomatoes recently? Why not invest in persons who are willing to farm the land? Are the new occupants ready to do this? To the government's credit the current budget does have several incentives to farmers, but is the average person aware of this? Are you?

The security measures being implemented are a joke to put it mildly. The real problem with our internal security is the police. It is not a lack of resources but with the people. I am sure most people reading this article know of one officer that has done one thing that is of a shady nature. The police either fear the criminals or are in alliance with them. It is the only logical explanation for the level of crime and the number of unsolved cases. It is the government's duty to correct this and no amount of technology will magically fix it.

CEPEP? Let's not even go there.

Why are foreign professionals being brought into Trinidad and Tobago to fill the gap when there are many, many bright, talented Trinbagonians holding high technical positions in the very countries where you are importing talent? These citizens willingly leave T&T behind because there is no incentive for them to stay. The government is more willing to entice the foreigners to come than to have local talent stay. Buy local does not only apply to fruits and vegetables! India is seeing a rise in outsourced labour with many US companies using the locals for customer service and other jobs. Where is the impetus for the local talent to also be in on this? We have very competent persons and we speak better English too! This would have the double effect of lowering unemployment and increasing the number of families that can make a stable income that can actually buy groceries.

Resources would be better allocated if the government spent more on valid infrastructure development than on a show designed to dazzle the part of the population that has been partially blinded by years of cotton over their eyes. The lack of awareness by the majority of the general population is the biggest problem in society today. We rant and complain but where are the alternative strategies. I do not care which party is in power as long as they make decisions that benefit the people. Our goal of first world status will only be realized by proper planning. However current policies being implemented by this administration do not indicate that the goal will be achieved in a beneficial manner.