It's extremely difficult to comment on any one issue in T&T given that there are so many social and political concerns occurring simultaneously: sex scandals, party elections, allegations, complaints (again) about our hospitals, homicides etc.All of these things are very disconcerting. It appears that our country is crumbling wholesale–from our supposed leaders and institutions, to our communities, families and especially our children.
Even worse is that we are either collectively powerless as a people to stem the tide, or we are deliberately not attempting to do anything about it, seeking our own individual interests first.
Adding to all of this is that where people attempt to follow the rules, or otherwise seek social justice, their only recourse is often the last resort of embarrassing authorities into doing the right thing by highlighting them in the media. Whether the situation concerns real men who wish only to be involved in their children's lives or everyday issues that are not being addressed such as access to proper roads, water supply, or good customer service, it seems this is the only way we can get some action.
Why are we in this state? When are we going to rise above these situations? Do we even really care? Or is it better to sit back and watch in morbid fascination, hoping that trouble doesn't touch us personally.
Marlon Bascombe,
via e-mail