The carnival is over and reality hits you in the face without compromise. The absence of long-term reliable natural gas and its effect on the economy. The absence of a strategic plan to not only transform the economy but position the country to deal with the changing economic realities. The daily display of deadly belligerence in our society. The failure of our justice system. These and so many other realities tell us that as a Nation we have failed in electing appropriate personnel into our parliament.
There is a widespread feeling that if a general election were to be called tomorrow the breakdown of seats will very likely remain as they are today, as the leadership of the main opposition party cannot motivate those dissatisfied with the government to vote for their party.
What does this say for a country with so many brilliant minds? Are those with a vision and a desire to see better governance in Trinidad & Tobago doomed to be commentators and letter writers? There are no concerted efforts to highlight national issues and to seek interventions to preserve what is left of law and order in our society.
We know what is required for our economic sustenance and for safe and secure communities. The commentaries on solutions have been aplenty. We know that the problem is the political will to deal with the solutions. We know that the answer is political. Why then are we unable to take the necessary steps to make the changes required? The answer is simply ego.
As a person who has been actively asking our politicians to unite and focus on that which is best for Trinidad & Tobago, I can say without contradiction that words like narcissism, egocentric, arrogance, self-importance, and love for power describe most of the potential leaders in our society. Absent are words like humility, selflessness, love, compassion, and patriotism.
Until our leaders find the strength and conviction to put aside their desire for personal advancement in the interest of country the problems we face will continue. Almost every day, I speak to potential leaders who are so consumed with who they are, consumed with stories of their personal achievements and convinced that they alone can fix Trinidad & Tobago. They cannot bring themselves to recognizing the value of other leaders.
Until they realize the power of the many, the strength of togetherness, the greatness of humility, and the knowledge in knowing that there is so much one doesn’t know, then all hope for a better tomorrow can end in despair.
God Bless Our Nation.
Steve Alvarez