Port-of-Spain Mayor Louis Lee Sing seems to be the only person in office who has read correctly the implications of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's promise of free utilities and public transport for pensioners. Indeed, there is a general tendency on the part of our current Government to distribute our resources without critically examining the phenomenon of opportunity costs and the economic consequences of such generosity. Many have forgotten that this was the general route Europe took with its approach to the welfare state. Today, many decades after World War II, Europe is in serious trouble. Greece is my favourite example in this context.
Unlike what the current calypso projects, I am not a bacchanalist but a nationalist who puts T&T before any political party. Therefore, I am serious when I state that our governments need to operate on the basis of sound ideology and with respect for the principles of economics and social solidarity. The economy and society of T&T are not toys with which to play. We as a people have to be careful with how we receive Government's pseudo generosity. For too long our governments have been placating us with handouts to the detriment of our economy. Remember the longest rope has an end. Surely, we must have a heart for our future generations.
Raymond S Hackett
St Augustine
