Maroc - NEWSDAY.CO.TT - A la Une - 17/Aug 05:45

This is not dolly house

THE EDITOR: Daily murders, while they may be acceptable to some, with vague excuses like gang violence and “they are killing their own,” are totally unacceptable in a civilised society. The failure to do basic things like secure vehicle licence plates and revise legislation to expedite justice and other practical measures to address the challenges of crime point to either ineptitude or impassiveness. The level of apathy in TT seems evident in approaches to economic reform, agriculture, food security and, in general, a vision for tomorrow. There is need for modern approaches to education incorporating developments in technology including artificial intelligence. There is need for major investment and plans for tourism. There is need for infrastructure development in areas like flood alleviation, water distribution, modern approaches to transportation including the construction of bridges and road expansion and repairs. There is need for new approaches to housing development and construction. The public sector must be improved to allow for less bureaucracy in travel, processing of personal documents like driver’s licences, passports and birth and death certificates. One can go on about the need for making TT safe and competitive. But the challenge is to get our best people to come forward. Almost every day I read columns written by economists suggesting ways to improve the economy and explaining the failures of the Government. The same can be said for criminologists who write at length about the state of crime in the country and possible solutions. The writers comment almost daily on education, sport, the failure to address the concerns of an ageing population, failure to inspire hope in our youths, and so much more. The newspapers, social media and television are saturated with brilliant minds talking and writing. They seem happy to be in the media. But as a colleague of mine would say, they are too good, too intelligent and too important to get involved in the political process. The problems that confront TT will not fix themselves and certainly cannot and will not be fixed by a crop of politicians focused on self-improvement at the expense of the State. It requires the many so-called experts to get involved and participate in changing the politics of the country. It's not a time for political games or dolly house, it is a time for serious people to do what is required to save the country from further demise. Almost every time someone who can influence change emerges, they seem to think the answer is to form a new political party or get on social media and pontificate. The answer is to join with people of similar vision and do all the hard work that is necessary to offer the people of TT hope. Otherwise, they should just shut up and say nothing. Self-importance and narcissism help no one. STEVE ALVAREZ via e-mail The post This is not dolly house appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.