Letter

All we want Is good governance

Good governance is the main desire of most Trinbagonians no matter the political party in power. At the 'end of the day' it is necessary for the government in power to put forth logical policies that would improve the overall state of society. The present Peoples Partnership has made numerous blunders with respect to public relations and decision making, most notably the recent appointment of a 'practical novice' to the post of SIA director but we the public should not be too hasty in righting off the PP (Peoples Partnership). It is clear that the approval ratings of this government has taken a severe 'nose dive,' but all is not lost. The present administration should be willing to admit that they have made numerous blunders and be prepared to turn far away from their current path of misleading the public weather purposefully or not. Whatever be the basis for policy creation within the PP (Peoples Partnership) they should ensure that not only is the best interest of the public at heart but that all Government Ministers are aware and fully briefed. It is embarrassing for me as a Trinbagonian citizen to see Cabinet Ministers not knowing what the other is doing, having totally different views with regards to public policy and making completely contradictory statements on matters. How could a government be so disorganized? The Peoples Partnership has made more blunders in their first eight months than past governments have made within five year terms; but I reiterate that all is not lost. If this present government truly seeks the interest of the people, adheres to the principles of integrity and transparency, neglects self-interest and personal glorification, they could turn a poor start into an acceptable term in office where the lives of Trinbagonians are changed for the better. As was stated at the beginning; good governance is the main desire of most Trinbagonians no matter the political party in power. The success of the Peoples Partnership would be measured by the improvement in the standard of living for the citizens of this country. Nothing less would be accepted!

Mikhail E.D Byng

Letter to the TT-Express Editor

Is our Country falling apart?

Protests, strikes, and disagreement between the THA (Tobago House of Assembly) and the Peoples Coalition Government along with internal problems within the Coalition itself, makes one ask the question 'Is our Country falling apart?' It would not be difficult for us to recall that it was only six months ago when the Peoples Coalition took office with great expectation on their shoulder's. The administration led by Patrick Manning was voted out clearly because they had lost touch with the people of Trinidad and Tobago and although, to be fair, numerous positive initiatives were implemented, we the public were all quite sure that the Peoples Coalition at-least deserved an opportunity to prove their worth. After six months in office we see a country in chaos. Public workers are angered by the government's limited cooperation and have promised not to cease protests. Maxi-taxi drivers are also determined to cause problems due to the Transport Minister's desire to liberalize the transportation system and the Tobago House of Assembly is seemingly disgusted by the fact that the Finance Minister is slow in paying Tobagonian URP workers. Crime continues to be a troubling issue and limited improvement could be seen in the near future. Most people are afraid to say it, but things were not this bad under the last administration. At-least it could be said that all problems were not coming to such a climax. How would our former Prime Minister Patrick Manning deal with this situation? We should ask him and listen to what he has to say, because clearly the Peoples Coalition is out of ideas. As in the case of the children of Israel, it seems that the Pharaoh has forced us to make brick without straw. To be plain the country is in a state of instability. A solution has to be found! And it is guaranteed that there would be no Moses to part our red sea of troubles in Trinidad and Tobago!

 

Mikhail ED Byng

Quotes to Remember

I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils [capitalism], namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals. In such an economy, the means of production are owned by society itself and are utilized in a planned fashion. A planned economy, which adjusts production to the needs of the community, would distribute the work to be done among all those able to work and would guarantee a livelihood to every man, woman, and child. The education of the individual, in addition to promoting his own innate abilities, would attempt to develop in him a sense of responsibility for his fellow men in place of the glorification of power and success in our present society. – Albert Einstein

You may call me an agnostic... I do not share the crusading spirit of the professional atheist whose fervor is mostly due to a painful act of liberation from the fetters of religious indoctrination received in youth. I prefer an attitude of humility corresponding to the weakness of our intellectual understanding of nature and of our own being- Albert Einstein

 

I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me-Isaac Newton

 

I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people- Isaac Newton