In other news, Prime Minister Patrick Manning announced the cutbacks needed to contain spending in light of the anticipated loss of nearly $6-billion in revenue. Manning made cuts in three areas that directly affect us plebian people: Education Health and Housing, while continuing with mega projects such as the $15-billion rapid rail system. (Manning flies off to Cuba for his medical checkup on December 4th - part of his ongoing refusal to tighten his own belt.(Edit: he flew to Cuba sin private jet so the man is apparently making some sacrifices).
Manning told the nation:
There will be a slowdown in construction of new schools but all programs of the Ministry of Education will continue. We will continue the pursuit of the best health care system for the people of this country, but some major infrastructural projects, like the new hospitals planned for Couva and Port of Spain will have to be deferred.
There continues to be an urgent need for affordable housing in Trinidad and Tobago. Regrettably, we will start no new housing units at this time. However all housing units under construction will be completed as well as preparatory works for projects already on the drawing board. We will also expedite the distribution of those houses already completed.
Responding to Manning's moves Panday said the measures are unfair and unfortunate, noting that "our rural communities, our children, the sick and the poor are to be made the casualties of this government's callousness and indifference and their relentless pursuit of corruption-riddled mega-projects.
The former prime minister said, "There are communities that have been waiting for schools for five and ten years. They have received promises after promises.
They have tightened their belts over and over, waiting their turn. And now, those children are not getting any school and they have no idea if and when they will ever get one." - HotLikePepperRadio December 4th, 2008.
Regarding Basdeo Panday, TG Mendes wrote in a letter to the Trinidad Guardian: “Ironically,[Panday] provided T&T with its most enlightened and equitable administration from 1995-2001. It is encouraging to see that Warner apparently now recognizes the fact that the party with which he is involved will be denied governance so long as Panday retains a leading role in it.
I do not for one moment advocate, after his contribution as PM in the period referred to above, that Panday simply be cast aside and forgotten. I am convinced he still has very much to contribute—in an advisory capacity.” Letters to the Trinidad Guardian, Dec 2nd, 2008
Trinidad Guardian columnist Denzil Mohammed discussed the Obama phenomenon in his recent d Guardian commentary entitled "Grimm fairy tale paradox". He wrote:
"John F Kennedy, in whose name the largest central space on the UWI campus is appropriately titled, represented hope for a generation and its offspring not merely looking to pay less for gas and get higher prices on their houses. They were looking for a way of escaping centuries-old imprisonment of mind and institution that ran farther and firmer than financial woes and a farcical “war.” Then that hope was shot to death. For months now there’s been the same speculation—if they elect him [Barack Obama], someone will kill him. At least one plot already has been uncovered. I rub my eyes. Obama is still there.
I was ashamed, yes, for not believing... I had truly given up on people, especially so many people in a land whose quintessential characteristic is paradox. ...I will continue to watch from the audience. But, unlike before, I will watch with deliberate expectation, with hope and conviction and belief, no matter how pointless they may seem, no matter how implausible my desires, no matter how fanciful the fairy tale. Trinidad Guardian Sunday 23rd November, 2008
Is it this Obama effect - the audacity of hope - that prompted Denzil to resurrect his expectation, hope and conviction? Is it the Obama effect - that change we all need - that prompted Jack Warner to make public his thoughts about the UNC leadership, recognizing what we trinis all know - that political change in Trinidad and Tobago lies in mobilizing and unifying the fragmented opposition forces?
Warner bluntly declared “I think we have to put ourselves in order. Before we fix the country, we have to fix ourselves.” Mr Warner is calling for internal elections as the first “fix” needed by the party. It’s not enough for Mr Panday to invoke “discipline” against airing “internal matters” as a means of silencing unhappiness felt by members.
“I would expect people to be disciplined and follow the rules and the constitution of the party,” he scolded. Party rules also call for elections at regular intervals. If they aren’t held, Mr Panday himself should show serious concern.
"The readiness and the integrity as a democratic entity of the party that offers itself as an alternative to the PNM are legitimate matters of national concern. Mayaro MP Winston “Gypsy” Peters agreed with Warner’s recent sentiments that serious changes were needed within the UNC. Peters said he would support Warner for leadership if the opportunity ever arose." Trinidad Guardian Editorial Nov 30th, 2008.
After years of political inertia, the intellectual decay of our leaders and the continuing degeneration of our society's values, it is possible that Jack Warner could be the spark needed to mobilize the oppsition forces, preventing the inevitable death of our nation if Patrick Manning is allowed to continue holding the reigns of power? Maybe it's a long shot, but can Jack Warner do for Trinidad what Barack Obama has done for America?
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