If one had the time or inclination to write letters commenting on some current issue, there will be no shortage of issues. One issue could be the call for “war” by some in the labour movement due to a perceived lack respect shown to the movement in the appointment of directors to a state institution. Another could be the expressed unease stated by many over the process outlined by the Government in the way forward to choose a Commissioner of Police and his/her Deputy.
The issue which I want to address is the appointment of a new minister in the Ministry of National Security and uproar in the media by politicians and others bemoaning the fact that the Prime Minister did not give the population reasons for such a move.
Unless I have missed something over the past years, I am not aware of any Prime Minister being called upon, so stridently, to give reasons for appointing anyone to the Ministry of National Security. As a matter of fact, it is reported that someone even ventured the opinion that he knew the appointee in school and that the individual was a quiet person. What is the relevance?
It is quite disconcerting that in these times, where it is expected that the days ahead will be difficult, those who should be leading the discussions as to how best we can weather the pending storm, prefer to expend their time on issues which are so unproductive. As a former US President once said, “It is the economy, stupid.” As we continue to spend our time flailing around on rather unproductive issues, it may be instructive to see what others are doing to deal with their economic situation.
An international newspaper reported that the Saudi government has banned official purchases of cars and furniture and slashed travel budgets and infrastructure spending as it faces a grave fiscal crisis because of low oil prices. Saudi Arabia pumps about 10 million barrels of oil per day while Trinidad pumps less than 100,000 barrels. The country has foreign reserves in excess of $700 Bn (US) while T&T has less than $11 Bn (US).
While the country may have greater commitments compared with T&T, its resources far exceed those of T&T. So while a country like Saudi Arabia is taking steps to deal with the likely effect on its economy due to falling oil prices, we here seem to be fixated on the fact that the Prime Minister did not advise the population on his decision to appoint someone as a Minister in the Ministry of National Security.
Again, “it’s the economy, stupid.”
Telesford Bruce
Battery Street, Buccoo, Tobago