MAY I start by saying that what we hear is not always what will happen. I listened to the budget debate intensively and wondered if we had changed the way we do things or our social direction.
Many things have been promised, in the name of development and that gives me the impression that tomorrow is going to be better than today, or yesterday.
But it was not too long ago, I remember clearly, that the last administration made as-many, if not more promises, and at the end of their term so-many plans were neither here nor there. I recall the proposed transition of the South of the island to the Pearl of the Caribbean. I remember that our water woes would be over because of the dredging of the John Compton Dam. I recall hearing too that our electricity bills nationally would have been reduced because of new energy models and special lighting; and how we would have Maria Islet connected to the mainland, with a new cruise ship berth to enhance southern tourism. We were also promised the best airport and hospital in the Eastern Caribbean – and all the other niceties.
But lo and behold, when the delivery time came, all we got were empty promises after the horses had bolted from the stable. Another regime is now elected and again there are more promises on the table, while we wait for the completion of the promised past-projects. Granted, to date, most of what has been promised from a social perspective has been delivered, but there are so many plans in the pipeline that I hope it never chokes.
Money to deal with development usually comes by three ways, through taxing, through grants or loans, but as the world’s emphasis seems to be pointed in one direction financially, to enhance wars, or prepare for wars, or boost defence systems, I wonder where the money we need will be coming from, if the bigger percentage is spent on wars.
In the city these days, we spend more on securing parking than on social programmes; some sitting within the ranks of the police force hint that all that is given to enhance the capability for the police to do their work effectively are replacements and there have been no additions despite the millions we hear are spent for that purpose.
We hear about raise in pay, and the advent of a new minimum wage, new incentives and discounted maternal services and goods, yet with all that assistance our murder rate keeps climbing like it is only some sectors that benefit and there is still plenty of discontentment at the grass roots level.
Is education for a selected few? Or, are there more lucrative ways for the youth to eke out a living, unless the pay offered for criminality is more-attractive than what the system offers.
Are we dealing with the root causes of our situation and our problems? Do we do the savvy things or have consultations on the subject? Do we know the cause of the disenchantment of the youth, unless the forces that exists are more powerful and better financed than the state?
If we build a glorious country with all the trimmings and all the modern-day amenities and all is undermined by the persistence in destroying, what really will be the end result.
I know that talk is easy to express and living in hope gives strength to the needy but if we cannot cut the negativity from its stem, then I am afraid we are spinning top in mud.
We are fighting many battles but chief among them is criminality and the attitude of this generation, with their goals and ambitions as well as their quest for wealth and their newly-attained values have changed and the new influence that is commonly in control of their minds, will take a lot to dismantle and the struggle for better or good over evil, will intensify.
We have many maybes on the horizon, the possibility of a third world war, climate change issues as it relates to global warming and its consequences, the usual yearly hurricane threats, financial meltdowns, pandemics, health maintenance, available means for obtaining the necessary finance and other recourses, as well as meaningful employment, food security, etc.
How will we cope and what plans are afloat to counter-balance these possibilities? Are we sufficiently-educated to guard against all these possibilities, or is it about party as usual and going with the flow?
It’s another festival time, one after another – and, as per usual, we have not smelt the coffee, nor do we pay attention to what’s on the horizon. And so our story continues…