By Clevon Raphael - reproduced from the TRINIDAD GUARDIAN
For all its missteps and self-inflicted wounds, the People’s Partnership administration deserves kudos for doing what no other political party in office has ever attempted to do—deliver an annual report card on its accomplishments or lack thereof.
The publications highlighting the PP Government’s achievements over the last years and which appeared in the daily newspapers last week are invaluable instruments to give the electorate the opportunity to assess what the coalition was able to deliver in keeping with the promises made during the 2010 general election campaign.
The publications highlighting the PP Government’s achievements over the last years and which appeared in the daily newspapers last week are invaluable instruments to give the electorate the opportunity to assess what the coalition was able to deliver in keeping with the promises made during the 2010 general election campaign.
Trinidadians/Tobagonians are accused of having short memories so it is in their interest—and the PP’s too—to have in print a scorecard that would be updated annually until the completion of the administration’s five-year term. I am holding on to my copies so that in 2015, a fair and proper assessment could be made as to whether the regime’s boast of having a lot to celebrate is valid or not.
However, a cursory glance at the second annual publications shows the regime has in fact been doing a lot of work, but the big question is if the people are feeling that it is really working in their interest. A very good reason for this is that unfortunately the negatives affecting the Government are getting more prominence than the positives.
However, a cursory glance at the second annual publications shows the regime has in fact been doing a lot of work, but the big question is if the people are feeling that it is really working in their interest. A very good reason for this is that unfortunately the negatives affecting the Government are getting more prominence than the positives.
But in spite of this, only an administration confident that it is serious about transparency and diligently going after the people’s business would dare take that quantum leap because, as I said, the electorate would have something tangible to compare manifesto pledges with actual deliverables during its stewardship.
In this same way we would like to see Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley publishing a similar document pointing out things like how many alternative suggestions the loyal opposition made to the PP Government, which were not accepted, those accepted, and so on.
Meanwhile, a significant occurrence took place at the PP’s second anniversary bash in central Trinidad last Thursday.
In this same way we would like to see Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley publishing a similar document pointing out things like how many alternative suggestions the loyal opposition made to the PP Government, which were not accepted, those accepted, and so on.
Meanwhile, a significant occurrence took place at the PP’s second anniversary bash in central Trinidad last Thursday.
I refer to the appearance of the natural nemesis of anyone opposed to the People’s National Movement—Sugar Aloes. While the PP bigwigs were falling over themselves boasting how they were able to get the self-confessed “PNM-till-ah-dead” bard on the PP stage, a lot of citizens like me were aghast wondering how come no one else could be found to be the surprise guest performer.
Why on such an occasion was Sugar Aloes, who has never put water in his mouth to criticise, sometimes in a derogatory manner, those who form the core support of the United National Congress, chosen to “serenade” the Prime Minister? I am yet to fathom why all the calypsonians who are less politically toxic and even PP-friendly were bypassed in favour of someone who would be the planet’s happiest man if the PP administration were to be removed from the corridors of power in the morning.
Who among the leadership of the UNC believe that by giving him a handsome pay night Aloes would draw PNM supporters to the house of the PP? That and a battleship sailing on the Beetham Highway they would never see.
Why on such an occasion was Sugar Aloes, who has never put water in his mouth to criticise, sometimes in a derogatory manner, those who form the core support of the United National Congress, chosen to “serenade” the Prime Minister? I am yet to fathom why all the calypsonians who are less politically toxic and even PP-friendly were bypassed in favour of someone who would be the planet’s happiest man if the PP administration were to be removed from the corridors of power in the morning.
Who among the leadership of the UNC believe that by giving him a handsome pay night Aloes would draw PNM supporters to the house of the PP? That and a battleship sailing on the Beetham Highway they would never see.
To his credit, he Aloes put down a beautiful rendition of the popular hit She’s Royal, but reading his body language while “serenading” the Prime Minister I did not get the feeling he was genuinely crediting the lyrics of that song to the Prime Minister.
As far as I am concerned he was only there to “make some dollars.” His appearance brought some rather disturbing responses from two prominent figures—former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday and cultural activist Pearl Eintou Springer.
As far as I am concerned he was only there to “make some dollars.” His appearance brought some rather disturbing responses from two prominent figures—former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday and cultural activist Pearl Eintou Springer.
Panday went completely overboard saying that Indo-Trinis had lost their self-respect and dignity by applauding Aloes that night. He surely couldn’t be serious and I could only attribute the crowd’s enthusiastic response as a case of momentary amnesia.
And you can bet your last cent that come next Carnival season, Aloes would continue his vitriolic attacks on the “enemies” of the PNM, primarily the PP regime. Tell me about biting the hands that feed you.
And you can bet your last cent that come next Carnival season, Aloes would continue his vitriolic attacks on the “enemies” of the PNM, primarily the PP regime. Tell me about biting the hands that feed you.
Miss Springer evoked from me a pitiful head shake by claiming that She’s Royal was meant only for African women. She would have us believe that the line “And when I am asked what a good woman is made of…” meant that they can only be found among those of African origin. That is taking Afrocentricism to a new low.
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