Opinion
- Editorial
Michael De
Gale:
Making pelau with politics
Historically, coalition governments are not known
for their longevity. This is mostly due to competing
ideologies and hugely inflated egos that inevitably
collide. However, I believe that men and women of
conscience, good intentions and integrity could
make any coalition work.
The
recently created Democratic National Alliance (DNA),
forged from the leftovers of otherwise insignificant
parties has the potential to form an effective coalition
if it contains the right ingredients. In culinary
terms, it must be a political pelau or a callaloo
if you prefer.
As
Trinbagonians, we all enjoy pelau and callaloo if
prepared with love and all the essential ingredients
are present-hot pepper and all.
The
fact is that I am encouraged by the inherent possibilities
of an alternative political organisation that can
successfully challenge PNM hegemony, UNC disfunctionality,
the Strong Man approach to governance and the tribalism
of both parties.
This
is by no means a blanket endorsement of the DNA
as I am not intimately familiar with their platform
nor with the composition of their membership to
allow myself to make an informed decision.
However,
I will be happy to endorse any political organisation
that is socially progressive, placing country before
party and way ahead of the narrow focus of special
interest groups.
Anyone
who pays attention to the obscenity that passes
for political dialogue in the nation's Parliament
and the numerous social problems plaguing Trinidad
and Tobago will agree that something must be done
urgently to save the nation from further polarisation
and ultimately self-destruction.
Despite
billion-dollar budgets, there are burning issues
that generate discontent in the country and are
totally unacceptable by any standard. A cohesive,
visionary, socially conscious and progressive party
can seize upon these issues and register a positive
impact on the political landscape. However, the
philosophy and central focus of such a party must
overlook personal ambitions, greed and pettiness,
and concentrate on moving the country forward, leaving
no citizen behind. For such a party to be successful,
it must include but cannot be the exclusive domain
of intellectuals, business interest and political
opportunists.
Ideally,
it must include voices that for years have been
crying in the political, social and economic wilderness.
It must espouse a political ideology that is ethnically
inclusive and committed to creating opportunities
and justice for all. Its members must come from
organisations with long histories of committed struggle.
Included in its ranks must be women, anti-poverty
groups, trade unions, environmentalist, cultural
organisations and other progressive but otherwise
disenfranchised voices. In effect, it must be a
party with a Caribbean heart, a global vision, and
a social conscience. If such a party should ascend
to the seat of Government, that could be the beginning
of a Caribbean style renaissance with all its attending
benefits.
If
we must live together, it is imperative that we
work together for the benefit of the country. As
our motto clearly states, "Together we aspire.
Together we achieve".
Unlike
other developing countries, Trinidad and Tobago's
problem is not the lack of wealth but rather its
gross mismanagement, the absence of visionaries
at the political helm, unaccountability and petty
people who pander to the divisive issues of race
and class much to the detriment of the country.
When
T&T declared its independence and became a sovereign
nation, we inherited social, political and economic
structures that worked to the benefit of our colonial
masters. Today, we operate within the confines of
these same structures which continues to enrich
a few and leave too many still begging, "...Brother
can you spare a dime?"
It
is not necessary to dismantle these structures,
but using them to create developmental opportunities
where hopelessness reigns will honour the spirit
of the social contract.
For
a country that is blessed with oil, natural gas,
pitch and an abundance of human resources, it is
shameful to see the sorry state of the nation's
physical infrastructure, its appalling social programmes
and to witness the lament of the poor and the sucklings.
Newspapers across the Internet scream headlines
of violence, poverty, discrimination and corruption
even as the Soca Warriors are making us proud on
the world stage.
As
a tourist I will be petrified to visit Trinidad
despite the numerous things that are attractive
about the country. This dichotomy is indicative
of a severely fractured society desperately in need
of healing. At the same time, it also presents a
unique opportunity for people committed to country,
to mobilise politically and to put forward a progressive
agenda. In addition to stimulating economic activities
and promoting educational development, any organisation
that is deeply concerned about the country must
address the pestiferous issues of work ethics, respect
in all its manifestations and discourage the negative
behaviours that contributes to systemic poverty.
Try
to envision a country in which the national pride
that was demonstrated because of the Soca Warriors
is a tangible and visible everyday occurrence. A
country world renowned for its local art, culture,
libraries, museums, sports and social programmes
which ensures that everyone could enjoy at least
life's basic necessities. Imagine a country in which
prosperity is not measured only in dollars and cents,
but by the quality of life of all its citizens and
is not found wanting. One in which laws expressly
prohibit discrimination of any kind and incentives
to create economic opportunities and bridge the
widening gap between rich and poor are abundant.
At
the risk of sounding naive and being accused of
envisioning a Utopia, I will state emphatically
that a better society is indeed possible complete
with liberty, opportunity and justice for all. If
we boldly proclaim in our national anthem that,
"...Here every creed and race find an equal
place..." then make it so.
We
are in the process of building a nation not developing
an area. It is instructive to remember that "a
house that is divided will not stand". If nation
building is what the DNA is about, then that effort
will necessitate making pelau with politics. The
past 40 years will show that that concoction is
better than rum and roti on any given day.
Michael
De Gale
is a Trinidadian residing in Toronto, Canada, and
a keen observer of Trinidad and Tobago politics
(mdegale@hotmail.com).
Petroleumworld not necessarily share these views.
Editor's
Note: This commentary was published by The Trinidad
Express, on Friday,
June 30th 2006,
Petroleumworld reprint this article in the interest
of our readers.
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Petroleumworld
07 02 06
Copyright
© 2006 Michael
De Gale/Trinidad
Express. All rights reserved
