Improvement lacking under years of PNM

THE EDITOR: It would seem that Trinidadians are either too laid back, stupid or naive. We as a people just sit back and allow everything to just slide by.

For more than 40 years we have been ruled by the PNM with no improvement to the country. However, the parliamentarians have seen great improvements to their lives. Drawing in monthly salaries of $40,000 plus perks, the Prime Minister heading the list with $59,000 plus perks, yet they have once more been elected.

To alleviate the suffering of the people who have lost their jobs during this covid19 lockdown, the Minister of Finance generously offered the people a whopping $1,500 a month. I say if we can do it on $1,500 a month, as Finance Minister he should be able to do it better than us. So why does he need $40,000. Is he any different?

Recently, there was a publication that the Government is paying rent on a building on Alexandra Street to the tune of $7 million a year and it would need a further $20 million to outfit it. If the building is not in use I say cancel the lease and use that money to erect and outfit a new building which the Government would then own. But then a party member would end up out of pocket.

In other areas, there is the same old stagnation. Car owners being made to paint ugly notices on their prized vehicles, eg "No Hand Signals" and "Left Hand Drive." Why do they still require this? Everyone is driving with their windows up and air-condition on. When last did you last see someone using hand signals. It is time to come out of the dark ages and change these outdated rules.

There are areas where bridges are required. Why not use the recently replaced Bailey bridges to temporarily bring relief to some of those needy areas?

Certain people have suggested devaluing the dollar. Consider that our dollar is the third lowest in the region and is not even accepted in Barbados. There is no way devaluation will benefit the country.

RICHARD DEANE

Diego Martin