A State of Abject Failure

We have found ourselves in a manufactured recession and the worst state of depraved living condition this country has ever experienced. The government’s failure to create and implement proper expansionary policies to stimulate the economy, has caused a ripple effect of devastation, despair and crime to cripple this country. If small businesses do not lose it all to the banks they have to be afraid that they will lose it all to the bandits; while the Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon sits on his hands.

Dr Keith Rowley found himself the head of a Cabinet that is not only grossly incompetent but by their very hands, put this country in the worst possible state we could have ever imagined this country could be in. We are literally held at ransom while we witness scandal after scandal. The government seems impotent in dealing with almost all of the issues facing them. It seems that they have spent their time in office doing damage control rather than building this country. They have no plan and whatever they have accomplished accounts for no more than 7-10% of what they promised. It has been 2 years plus and their reason for the country’s dire state is the Opposition.

What would happen if we, through innovative and bold expansionary policies we seek to stimulate the economy by increasing aggregate demand and facilitating the growth of net exports. How? Let’s start by releasing the artificial hold on Foreign Exchange that is going only to handful of “friends”, allowing small and medium businesses to replenish goods for sale. Reduce personal income taxes so families have more to spend. How will the government earn revenues? Billions of dollars are being wasted in the following areas and the people should not have to be taxed to offset this wastage:

1. Public companies are being mismanaged and millions of dollars are being misappropriated. Start with fixing this and the government can save billions. Money saved is money gained.

2. Go after errant corporations that have avoided paying taxes. Remove tax subsidies for non-manufacturers in this country. Encourage foreign manufacturers to invest in Trinidad; this would help to create employment.

3. Go after and prosecute public officials for misbehavior in office. Seize their assets and return them to the state.

4. Diversify the Economy through Food Independence. By creating food security, we could reduce the food import bill, create employment and empower the communities.

Crime needs to be dealt with on an immediate and drastic level. We obviously cannot handle it on our own. It is time to call in foreign help. We need to call upon one of our alliances such as the USA to get the manpower and expertise we need to battle crime here. I understand that crime goes all the way to the top, so we need an independent team that cannot be influenced by those in office.

I mean, these are just a few thoughts. Some may work, some may not but dammit, we have to try. This government is sitting back and looking at the country burn to the ground. They can do that from what I am seeing in the media since they have their finances in order and an exit strategy. Come one people, it is time to look past party card and think country first.

If we cannot do that, then we have to accept what happens to us and our children. Nothing changes without first having the real and burning desire to be the change.

Suzette Louwe

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