THROUGHOUT the years, we have always had to hold on to the coat-tails of politicians to obtain favours for votes and they, in turn, have to obtain the funds and take pride in dishing out to the needy to retain their role as the Giver.
At the end of every school year, parents gather at their MP’s constituency office by the hundreds and thousands island-wide, so as to get the first-time secondary school allowances. Then it is also the usual books and uniforms for their children’s continual schooling and making sure they get a computer.
The unemployed voters are always looking for a break, their needs are many and any “bwa” they get to grab onto will do, whether it’s a spot to vend, a licence to operate a small business, work on the community drains and gutters, or the new project happening in the neighbourhood.
Throughout the year is a hustle and a bustle, with each trying to gain as much from the system to satisfy their needs and wants. In the meantime, the MP has to constantly be dishing out so as to be seen as the good and caring guy.
Everything is about promises: what they will do and the many ways that you will profit in the foreseeable future, so you put your trust in the party and hope their promises will all manifest.
The assessment of what the people really need and what will enhance their livelihood, or protect them from the elements, especially from the global warming issues that we now face, are never on the front burner.
The lack of cash flow among certain sectors, especially the elderly who are in dire need for various reasons, especially health and coping with the rising cost of living, is not seen as a priority.
The youth have time on their side, plus many years to achieve opportunities geared to offer them a better and bigger life with lots of success in the end in quite diverse ways, plus loans and grants, as well as educational opportunities, as long as they are willing to commit.
The problem is that we all have needs and what we need is the means to earn, so as to help ourselves. It should never be about retirement age, or being too old to be of use, as life continues until the grave and it is not uncommon to be abandoned by friends and family.
The system continues to take all the time, all needs come at a cost. And one needs not to be seen as a beggar at a privileged age, but as a contributor who has paid their dues and now needs satisfactory rewards consistently.
The state needs to find the ways and means to support all their people, all those with birthright should be entitled and fragmentation, division and classification should be taken out of the equation.
Why? Because new brooms sweep clean, but old brooms better know the corners!