The power of the Vote

I am usually not a political person, but I think that this year may change all of that. Our "wonderful" Prime Minister, in an effort to avoid the scandal of a debate "Vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister," has opted to take the nation of Trinidad and Tobago to elections!

For all of you people who are not nationals - our last General Elections was a mere two years ago, and yes you are suppose to have elections every five years, and yes in our country the Prime Minister can do whatever he pleases. Well at least this one.

So now that I have informed the non-nationals of our soon to be plight for Refugee status - as our nation is fast becoming one of those "democratic" nations that says it's a democratic society so that the USA doesn't put them in their bad books (like the increasing number of Trinidad deportees isn't enough), I will continue with this discussion.

Being a person who believes in democracy I always give my readers the option to comment and speak up - I don't think that many of our nationals can say the same for the Prime Minister who has opted to "run" to the poles.

So why a general elections - well we [Trinidadians] know why.

I read recently in a religious book that the "job" of a politician is to serve the people. At first I had to check the publishing date of the book to make sure that it was published in this century!!!

However, I was reminded that governments are in fact there to represent the voice of the people. But I think we have to make the distinction between a government and a politician. I have always said and will continue to say that politicians are concerned about themselves. They generally lie more than lawyers and they are more selfish than stock brokers. My experience has always taught me that politicians are a breed of people who generally care a WHOLE lot about themselves and very little about anyone else.

Now I do not want to generalize, but the only time people see their representatives is when it is time to vote them BACK into power, at which time most developed nations will vote them out and try the next guy. Well fortunately or unfortunately for us in the developing (third world) nations, when we're upset with someone for hurting us, or kicking us around on the ground, we invite them to stay longer and continue to kick us around.

A friend told me the reason we keep voting the same idiots into power is because it's too HOT down here in Trinidad - all the people are so delirious with the heat they cannot think straight and they get confused when they go to the polling stations. Now, one would argue that if there are no good politicians it is better to "choose the devil you know versus the devil you don't know".

However I think we are at the stage where we know all the "devils" and as such we should do like the developed nations do - toss one out and try the next for five years, and if that one doesn't straighten up his act toss him and put the next one back in.

The big difference there however - the agendas of politicians of developed nations "most of the time" seem to fall in line with "serving" the people or at least a large percentage of the people.

Here in Trinidad there are people who are being served by our government and politicians but the ratio pales in comparison to those not being served.

I know I will hear something from the ruling party’s supporters about - "well what about the GATE program, and all the free education.... and the increased pensions.... and the training jobs, OJT etc."

My response to that would be, "If you didn't pay and work hard for your degree well then I guess $3000 a month is an "ok" salary for someone with a Bachelor's degree" (for you American's out there that's $476.19 US a month, for someone who has A DEGREE!!!!!!!!).

Then there are those of us who have worked hard and paid through our noses to become educated, but in Trinidad you are only worthy of a “real salary” if you know someone in a high position, involved in corruption, involved in drugs or willing to become someone’s “yes man.” Hmmm, sounds like the job description of a politician. Other than that, no matter how many degrees you have you will always be exploited.

But the supporters will say something is better than nothing! Right! We're not in the year 1913 when $400 US a month is worth something - particularly with such a high inflation rate. Such a salary is an INSULT to anyone's intelligence.

And for all the "NON VOTERS" out there who wish to abstain from your right to vote - I will say this to you, when you abstain from voting; you abstain from objecting to what affects you, your loved ones and your country. To vote is your duty and your right.

I used to be one who didn't think voting was necessary because the government needs your taxes to complete their programs and they get ALL their taxes. So by that logic I thought I had every right to object to anything they were doing because it was our tax dollars being spent. However if you had a say in WHO you want to use your tax dollars then your argument becomes a little stronger.

So you have just a few days remaining to register if you haven't registered and we are looking forward to that day when we stain our fingers red.