Disturbed. The Peter O'Connor column

Bob Marley’s words “It’s disturbed, it’s disturbed…that I’m feeling” have been ringing in my ears the last few days of 2011.

Disappointed, too. We are not doing in this land any of the things we all know need to be done. And I am not directing this to the government alone. 

Barring the very few shining lights of hope out there, individuals and groups, we, every sector of our society is failing itself and the country by consistently refusing to set some example and do what we know is right, and fair and just.

It’s disturbed that I’m feeling when I realize that every individual, every organization, every corporation, every (most?) trade union, every political party (and therefore every government), is only concerned with what they can take from the national pot. 

And nobody is considering what they should be putting back in to that pot. 

“Entitlement” has grown like a cancer upon us, and it is going to destroy us. And do not think that entitlement is limited to families who lose their homes in tragic or disaster circumstances. 

We all know that it reaches deep into our professions, including the legal profession, our organizations, our businesses, politics and of course, the government, which is now required to share out the “entitlements” to the “entitled”.

The greatest threat to our maintaining public order in the land, is this ongoing screaming demand for “what we are due”. From business demanding the government to “stimulate the economy”, down to the little rural child who did not get a teddy bear from Santa Kamla, everyone is screaming for something. 

And for some reason, the government is actually trying to give everyone everything.

So, I am calling upon the government first, on this New Year’s Day, to set the example and get to work. Getting to work means putting away all your “Santa” hats, and if a hamper is needed somewhere, send it, do not have a minister deliver it. 

And follow through by doing more of the things of governance and management, and less of the PR and self-praise.

Prime Minister, you appear to be taking advice from people (and those people alone) who have neither the interest of the country, nor indeed your interest, at the head of their agendas. 

Just look at the most serious negative issues you have faced, and from whence came these issues. 

The still unsettled Reshmi affair came from a minister considered your advisor—right? The problems with Caribbean Airlines Board, and several of the difficulties regarding cohesion within your cabinet are all being fanned by a small group of people within your cabinet. 

Are their motives, the advice they are giving you, the divisiveness they are creating, as they seek to have you follow one set of recommendations only, really what you need, what this country needs? 

Surely you will recall that these were the people who opposed your ascension to the post of political leader of the UNC. Some were still in Panday’s camp when Manning called his election. 

They “joined” you when they realized you were rising to rule the country. So, a word to the wise for the time being, Prime Minister: Open your ears, eyes and mind to the wider view, and from there you will better understand the true state of the country and how the people truly feel.

On the other end of the political spectrum, we as a people, and the media in particular, must insist that the remnants of the PNM are not given continued uncritical media space to spout their dishonest drivel. 

It’s disturbed that I’m feeling when I hear Rowley, Hinds, and now Hypolite telling us how deeply they are concerned with murders in Laventille. But these same people were thumping their desks in parliament when Manning was praising Martin Joseph and dining the gang leaders. 

And tell me, did you ever see Hypolite and Hinds visiting the bereaved when the PNM was sponsoring the murders?

And while I totally agree with the opinion that Ganga Singh should not have been “awarded”, as “sole bidder” the CEO post at WASA, it is not for Keith Rowley, nor any PNM remnant, to stand and condemn this wrong. Not them who applauded the appointments of Calder Hart, Hazel Manning and others to positions of power.

And it’s disturbed that I’m feeling when I realize that the media, correctly critical of Kamla and her government, continues to provide the platform for the PNM to behave as if they never misgoverned and corrupted our country. 

We must accept that even as we judge the present government for their failings, we do not have a choice in terms of an alternative. Going back there is just going backwards.

And that is the dilemma we need to resolve.