Serious T&T Elections On Doorsteps

Serious Political Change Need in T&T says Diaspora nationals

By William Doyle-Marshall

The forthcoming general elections in Trinidad and Tobago is gathering much casual interest among nationals out here in the Diaspora. Information reaching them are suspect as they are unable to separate fact from fiction as the main political parties are going after each other with inflammatory accusations. Allegations of corruption and polarization are rampant but everyone calls for substantiation and that is a very difficult animal to trap.

   In its manifesto the Peoples Partnership reports that its international engagements are for the sake of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. As PM Kamla Persad Bissessar boasts, the government’s work over the last five years, has been building a partnership with the people because “we understand that we govern because the people have asked us to govern for them, and that it is their will that we govern.” She contends that her government wants, to take the country into a glorious future where jobs are plentiful, where opportunities are many, where hard work and productive effort bring rewards, where the workforce is educated and skilled, and where every citizen can enjoy a high quality of life with a good income.

  According to Dr. Keith Rowley the PNM envisions a society where integrity and morality in public life is of the highest priority and the Government serves the public good above all else, and where decisions are made and actions taken by the Government in the best interest of all concerned. He promises that the party’s approach to governance in its next term will be data based, scientific, holistic and evidence driven, paying due attention at all times to the need for compassion, sensitivity and respect for the rights and freedoms of all citizens in all matters of state.
   With the elections just moments away there are mounting rumours and claims against the governing party. A caller to a radio show on Wednesday (today) morning claimed the PP is paying people to have their fingers dipped in advance of polling. This would prevent such individuals from voting on election day. A former President of the Senate has been advising citizens to spoil their ballots on election day.  

   Generally nationals are expressing hurt at profound polarization in the country.One based in western Canada understands that the divide between Indian and African citizens grows worse, having been fueled over the years by “race loyalties and agendas of the People’s Partnership. Her heart breaks each time she hears this "asinine rubbish!" It is 2015! The divisive tribal madness persists like a malignant cancer destroying the precious nation, many observers feel.

   Many nationals are disturbed that Indians and Africans and other groups that are the founding peoples of the country are now being polarized. In almost every assembly conversation surrounds claims that the PP has favoured Indians for top jobs despite qualification and competence, inciting deeper hatred & compounding the racial divide. The Indians argue that the PNM did the same thing when they were in power. Further, Tobago is neglected because the Partnership is not favoured there and hence the PP’s moral, ethical and legal obligations to Tobago are but dust in the wind, 
  Washington D.C. based broadcaster Von Martin, rejoiced “The salvation day is about to come this September 7^th.” There is much anticipation from our nationals in the area, he reported. “We do not have a large East Indian Diaspora in this area. Those here are not as vociferous as in New York or Miami. Folks look forward to the replacement of the People’s Partnership. Already the signs are on the wall. The Ambassador of Trinidad, Dr. Neil Parsan has left the job. He is now working for the OAS in the Secretariat of Integral Development. So the country is without an Ambassador to the USA,” Martin reflected as he predicted it may be considered ‘Signs on the Wall.’

  Bryce Aguiton, one of the leaders on the Toronto Carnival scene admits he is paying marginal attention to the elections. Some of his colleagues consider it bobol (racket) and in terms of expectation most nationals are leaving their options open. Augiton’s friends in Port of Spain don’t seem to be very concerned as they are tired with the “stupidness” that is passing for politics. “No matter who is in office there will always be drama and it’s a matter of picking your poison,” he concludes.

   Another cultural practitioner Michelle Parsons has no particular expectation or thoughts about the situation except to conclude “it’s like getting out of one pot into the fire. It doesn’t matter who you vote for, politics is equal to corruption. It is about who must be in charge, who must make the rule and at the same time – making the rules but having no intention of following them.”

   As far as Dirk McLean, an experienced actor on the Canadian scene would like to see transparency of government and a leader who is really out to unite the nation – both Trinidad and Tobago, not just Trinidad. He also expects the next government to have a strong agenda to protect the citizens. He is conscious that the whole crime thing is a much bigger thing than Trinidad and the Caribgbean on their own because of the bigger players involved. “But they can still aim to do what they can anyway by finding ways to diminish the crime. One of the ways to diminish crime would be to increase the education percentage of the population,” he theorized. Dr. Eric Williams started by having more children educated in his day, McLean noted. And that was a long-term plan. So he is calling for the construction of more secondary and technical schools in the country. He cites Costa Rica which has a 95% literacy rate and wonders why can’t the country of his birth have something close to that.

   With such a plan the actor contends people who would be considered sanitary inspectors could still be dong that kind of work at a decent wage and still have pride in it and not feel like they are the lowest of the low. “It’s a whole revolution and mindset that needs to happen and more of Trinidad and Tobago and more of Caribbean values need to be instituted rather than relying on U.S. cultural influence. Too much U.S. cultural influence has been affecting the region,” McLean concludes.

   Quizzed about how nationals felt about the way Trinidad and Tobago has been governed by the Peoples’ Partnership headed by Kamla Persaud Bissessar over the past five years, some expressed disappointment. Some respondents were hearing expressions of dissatisfaction from close family members and friends.

   Despite the reports on polling that claim the race is too tight to call on September 7, Dr. Winford James , a political scientist and analysis told the nation in a radio broadcast Tuesday morning he believes the People’s National Movement could win the election. Voters who migrated from the PNM in 2010 to give the PP victory have now returned to their respective political base and that could be translated into victory for the PNM and defeat for the PP.