Dear Editor,
Why form another political organization when there are already two major political parties in Trinidad & Tobago? This is not an unusual or uncommon question. Two political parties are usually the norm in most countries.
Why then should we be any different?
One may ask why don’t the many like Alvarez who seem to have good ideas for our Nation not join one of the two major parties and contribute there? Why waste time, energy and political space seeking something that is most probably going to fail? The perhaps most pertinent question remains can there ever be a political success outside of the two major political organizations?
Coming to terms with the reality is the only viable route if one were to seriously attempt to allow Trinidad & Tobago to realize its vast potential to host the best quality of life on earth, not just in the Caribbean.
This twin-island State has beautiful beaches, rivers, waterfalls, caves, swamps, mountains, and unique tropical forestry. Fishing is great, and there is an abundance of fertile land. Water is almost guaranteed in abundance for at least six months of every year. The people, in general, are peaceful and literate. Despite the apparent differences in race and culture it is fair to say that the population exist in harmony. The people of Trinidad & Tobago have excelled on the world stage in almost every aspect of human development, from sports to beauty, from education to economic achievement.
Despite these positives, politics have been a failure. The inability to distribute water reliably over such a small space is unacceptable. The levels of crime and inability to access justice in a timely manner are disappointing. Despite extremely favourable natural conditions, the Nation almost totally depends on foreign food for sustenance. There has been very little progress in diversifying the economy. And worst of all the two major political parties can be accused of subliminally encouraging racial division as the main reason for their political existence.
The solutions therefore cannot come from the organizations that have failed the population for decades. There is a lot to be done. The restructuring of the Nation is not rocket science. The structures, systems, and operational disciplines that are required are known from successful government structures. Distributing water over an acreage forty by seventy miles is simple engineering. Storing water for dry periods and flood alleviation is not difficult. Modernizing and monetizing our tourism potential is not an impossible task. Finding viable alternatives to criminal activity and getting rid of the few that disturb national peace is attainable.
What is required is unity. The coming together of all our people, all our varieties of races and ethnicities under one flag with a determination to rescue our Nation. That political will is personal and can only be achieved if every one of us takes personal responsibility to vote for the country rather than our party.
God Bless Our Nation.
Steve Alvarez