On National Development of Trinidad and Tobago

i have often wondered, although never formally, on what really are the problems we face in this illusion of a country. in thinking it through, i have come to the conclusion that they are admittedly varied and diverse, yet common threads run through the fabric of them all.

- the country has alot of money but high poverty and unemployment.
- the middle classes are finding it harder to survive, given inflation, other measures of living standards, crime and kidnapping, etc.
- enthuastic, qualified people with alot to contribute are turning to other countries, or5 to other induced realities via substances or gated environments.
- the infrastructure in antiquated and disintegrating (even as the climate becomes more extreme)
the list goes on....

in considering the causes of these problems, the themes converge further still to fuse into essentially 3 basic factors:

1. CRIME: in its many iterations across the spectrum of society. These include
a. drug (and human) trafficking, ammunition smuggling and money laundering;
b. corruption / dishonesty that is not limited to bribery, fraud, lies and deliberate misappropriation, but softer skills of spin, deceit, diversion of focus and discreditation of 'enemies';
c. aggression through murder in the worst ways, state sanctioned oppression and kidnapping, violence, to lesser forms of traffic offences and other forms of 'badjohnism';
d. theft in the forms of insider trading or larceny by the government and citizenry.

2. POVERTY: a socio-economic problem that is disaggregated to include:
a. social causes: persons who are contented to sit back and benefit from the efforts of others - directly through begging and 'hustles', or indirectly through the taxman in the forms of CEPEP, URP, and other social welfare programmes.
b. economic: persons who cannot afford and are trapped in a cycle of poverty. this does not only refer to individuals in society but also businesses who are unable to transcend the barriers imposed on fair trade by those in current control of the various sectors.

3. NEPOTISM (to ineptitude): looking favorably on persons or entities who belong to the same social circle or group - at the expense of proven or demonstrated competence. This is further broken down into:
a. race or ethnicity: for example the pro-black agenda that shapes policy
b. Class / physical traits: we look after our own
c. political affiliation: party favors for contributions and support received or expected.

How do we solve these problems?

first. clean up the government, the judiciary and the protective services. if we stamp out state and legislative injustices it gives us a platform to ensure strong democratic and social progress, without the risks of emerging dictatorial rule as history has shown. Thereis need for prevention, HARSH methods of correction, and utmost transparency (with periodic reports by independent auditors to the public)

second. eliminate corruption. special televised trials and death sentance to those engaging in corruption - since they are essentially undermining the national security and progress for their personal benefits. This would include government ministers, protective services (police, army and prisions) and judiciary, public servants (ministries, customs, immigration and licenceing) and medical professions (doctors who misdiagnose to earn extra money through private practices).

third. an anti-nepotism / equal opportunity / fair competition policy to apply to all sectors of the country - economy, education, healthcare, civic society. inparticualr are those trade associations who use the guise of standards to create barriers to entry in industries.

forth. zero tolerance on aggression / theft. the penal code is based on isolation (and pain) after conviction. this is insufficient. We are an image society, and would not compromise our individual identities. Embarras the offender. punish him in public so as to deter others. a big man being beaten in public would deter more criminals than his spending a year in jail.

fifth. apply state-sponsored welfare to the weakest of society - the aged, the handicapped and the children. others would have to work to maintain the lifestyle they choose.

Then comes the development agenda:

1. decentralise economic and administrative control of local government so that the regional cooperations can better serve the needs of the constituents in terms of provision and maintenance of infrastructure.

2. raise educational standards while making education (in its many forms - academic, social, vocational, defence, travel and cultural awareness) more accessible to all persons in society (youths and adults), so that all persons would have the opportunity to meet standards and transcend any barriers of economy, society or geography.

to get these to work would require

- legislative reform and parlimentary support
- more efficient allocation of resources (streamlining bureaucracy and government spending)
- mass information and communication - through a dedicated ministry etc.
- individual participation: routine voting on issues, and opportunities to volunteer / participate.
- land allocation policy and planning (for residential, industrial, corporate & administrative, agricultural, quarrying, other resources etc)

Land Administration

the country needs to be divided into zones. each zone needs an administrative centre for the zone (or region) that would include basic services and amenities to the citizenry:
- medical centre (diagnostic and primary care)
- [virtual?] library (literature, laws, history, government documents)
- internet cafe / job support services
- sporting facilities (stadium, recreational grounds)
- hall for social and cultural events
- primary / secondary / tertiary / vocational schools
- office for disaster preparedness
- cemetary
- police station
- court
- Justice of the peace / officers / legal aid
- government agency for licences; passports; certificates and registrations; wards; taxes; house provision; transport offices etc.

this is ongoing development and more would be added / distilled over time.