New year message: Kamla Persad-Bissessar

As we begin a new decade of the 21st century, I extend to all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago a Happy, Holy, Peaceful and prosperous New Year.

It is my most sincere wish that 2010 brings you fresh hope and change for a just society where all of us will be able to reach our full potential.

The start of a new year is a good time to look critically at the paths chosen in the past to inform us for making better choices for the future.

As we look back at the past year we cannot help but lament the state of our nation. What is the state of our Nation? What have we achieved? What are our prospects? Where are we heading? What can the Government do and what can you do? The answers do not provide an impressive picture and point to a nation that is drifting to become a failed state.

We have treated world leaders to two lavish billion dollar summits with nothing to show but promises and our nakedness as the World’s sixth greatest polluter of the atmosphere.

Criminals have killed more than five hundred citizens, taking us closer to earning the unwelcome title of one of the top murder capitals in the world.

Our economy has been in a tailspin, running a deficit during a time of unprecedented revenues from oil windfalls. Our infrastructure is crumbling while our government continues to build white elephants. Health and social services are failing and poverty is on the increase.

As we begin the year, thousands of homeowners face steep taxation from an unjust and cruel new property tax to pay for the government’s wild spending.

Riot police are called to control peaceful demonstrators as the state tries to take away our fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech.

Our people are losing hope, but my message to you is there is hope for a brighter tomorrow.

We will take one step at a time, beginning on January 24, when we change the leadership of the United National Congress.

Then, with your help we will change the failed government and you will see a new dawn, full of hope. If there is one resolution that you make as we begin a new decade, let it be this: use your power to effect transformation and 2010 will be the start of a new era of transformation and hope.

Happy New Year!

Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar