APPARENTLY TIMES AREN'T THAT TOUGH FOR AN ELITIST PAY RAISE...

Remember when the finance minister of Trinidad and Tobago made the most ridiculous statement that, to paraphrase, the government of Trinidad and Tobago should raise fuel prices even more because the citizens didn't riot!? Or, better phrased, the higher fuel prices on the population weren't enough. He apologized. Or did he ? It doesn't really matter. The fact of the matter is that there is a sense among many in public life that the poorest among us must bear most of the strain, that their backs are broadest, their patience longest, and that they can survive just about anything. This is not the case. To hear Trinidad and Tobago's Attorney General Faris al Rawi spew, what could only be described as utter garbage about judges living in indigence is as baffling as anything I've ever heard. The government of Dr. Keith Rowley has committed itself to improving the lot - financially - of a the elitist class in Trinidad and Tobago. They have tabled a bill to improve the compensation package of judges, legislatures, and prime ministers. One ought to ask the question, what about the indigent mason, carpenter, electrician. The citizen just placed on the bread-line through government cost-cutting?

​If I remember correctly, a couple years ago I watched on TV as Dr. Keith Rowley chastised a Maloney mother of four by claiming, "the government doesn't 'mine' your children!". Well, with him being a 40 year veteran in politics, the government has certainly helped take care of his well. 

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This constant refrain by Dr. Rowley that we must now live below our means clearly applies to the poor old 'Joe Blow' who is believed to have  had too much unprotected sex and a bunch of children. Or Mavis living in the projects of Maloney who got pregnant at 16 and works at the bakery down the road. There is clearly no legitimate advocate for the rights and well-being of the poor and the powerless in Trinidad and Tobago. Couple this with the PNM's recent attack on transparency with their amendments to the Freedom of Information Act and we have a party that's blatantly antagonistic to the interests of most Trinbagonians.  ​

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The class of politicians, judges, and legislators are the most protected in Trinidad and Tobago. They are the least at risk of a lay-off, and are as well-compensated as any other profession within all of CARICOM. One of the arguments made by Faris al Rawi in a recent press conference was that he believes that he, along with his colleagues, ought to be compensated like Singaporean politicians. Well, for his information, it's important to note that Singapore is a first world country. A first world country pays its politicians by first world standards. Him and his government, and his party, has led Trinidad and Tobago for some 80% of its existence, plus an additional five pre-independence years. If I'm not mistaken, the nation is still a third world country, having mostly been under their stewardship. How about we tie a politician raise to the accomplishing of Vision 2020? or is it 2030? (the 'Vision' being developed nation status as articulated in the PNM manifesto). Some two oil booms and a half later and the nation is still collectively 'marking-time' on the spot.

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The term kleptocracy has grown to suite Trinidad and Tobago quite well. A kleptocracy is a government with corrupt leaders that use their power to exploit the people and natural resources of their own territory in order to extend their personal wealth and political powers. Typically, this system involves embezzlement of funds at the expense of the wider population.  Our leaders apparently know no end to their greed.