Letter: PNM way today is more backward than when it was founded in 1956

When the People's National Movement (PNM) was formed, its first Political Leader, the scholarly Dr Eric Williams, baptized it with the motto: "Great is the PNM and it shall prevail!"

Like all baptisms, it was a simple gesture, but it bore deep meanings. In this case, the implication was a warped interpretation of where the Scripture says: "Heavens and earth shall pass away, but my words shall never pass away." 

Every leader of the PNM took this to heart, as a result we see how Dr Rowley and his team operate as if PNM's greatness is a God-given benefit that cannot be lost and that has only one interpretation: the PNM alone must be responsible for governing Trinidad and Tobago.

I have news for the PNM though. Their way and philosophy of governance have only led to Trinidad and Tobago being more backward than it was before PNM was founded. 

Look around us today and see how much work has to be done by the present government to restore or build roads, drainage systems, to provide eco-friendly waste disposal, to eradicate poverty and crime, to move people away from the dependency syndrome, to create sustainable jobs and reduce the astronomical national debt. 

Considering the mess it met when it came into office, it is a miracle the present government has survived three years. Then again, why am I surprised? 

When Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar took the oath of office, the first thing she asked her parliamentarians to do was serve the people, serve the people, serve the people. Such humility was never and will never be forthcoming from any party which still arrogantly gloats that because it is great and it shall prevail!
All the same, I wish to give a word of encouragement and advice to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her colleagues as they enter the fourth year in charge. 

Your task is to ensure all citizens are given first-class treatment whenever they interact with a government office. Charity begins at home, so take care of poor, the hungry and the homeless by placing less emphasis on those who already are wealthy beyond measure. 

Remember, the mettle of any society is measured by how it cares for those citizens who are in distress and need a hand not a handout, to get back or stand on their own feet.

We are all children of one mother: Trinidad and Tobago. Mothers by habit do not discriminate. I am happy we have government which is led by a mother. May God bless and keep her around to wean away from being the lochos PNM paternalism encouraged.

Judy Francis | Edinburgh 500, Chaguanas.