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Former NAR Minister Lincoln Myers pens an open letter to Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister and UNC Political Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar:
(Copyright Frederic Dubray/AFP 2015)
Dear Madam Prime Minister,
It should come as no surprise that, with the 2015 election campaign approaching its crescendo, I am taking this opportunity to publicly express my view on the way forward for Trinidad and Tobago as I did in 2010. Then, I endorsed you, admittedly with reservations, as the person better fitted for the job of prime minister.
As things now stand, both you and your competitor, Dr Keith Rowley, are in fierce competition and each of you express great confidence in emerging victorious at the September 7 poll.
Lest you have forgotten, in 2010 I identified you as the leader who personified the ‘spirit of change’ that our people were seeking. And, at the same time, pointed out to you the very troubling blurring of the line between Party and State that had imperceptibly taken place over time and which resulted in an ‘unabashed use of state resources in support of the ruling party’s bid to hold on to state power.’
I urged you ‘to resist any temptation to continue this practice.’ In doing so, I was advising that you avoid following this path since it inexorably leads to corruption, dictatorship and ruin.
But, so much has happened since then that makes clear your choice to yield to rather than avoid this temptation.
In the current context, your ‘unabashed use’ of state assets in furtherance of your party’s bid to retain power is vulgar and clearly demonstrates the extent to which you will elevate partisan interest above that of the state and its citizens. This has been clearly demonstrated in your appointments to state boards and agencies such as CNMG, WASA, GISL, NGC and a host of others.
During the course of your administration, there were troubling signs and various ‘missteps’—too many to re-count here—that remain vivid in the public’s consciousness. These run the gamut from Reshmi Ramnarine (of SIA fame) to Jwala Rambarran (of Central Bank pain). Between these two, we have had ‘E-mail gate’ and ‘prisongate’ not to mention the disreputable activities surrounding Life Sports and Section 34.
And, before them all, the highly questionable state of emergency you imposed on the country.
When taken together, this legacy of your administration should provide ample reasons why you ought not to be returned to office despite all your honey-coated Kamla-speak assurances of having a plan and vision for the future of all Trinbagonians.
Similar sentiments were expressed in 2010. Who could forget your mantra: we will rise?
(Courtesy Caricom.com)
But after five years of your stewardship, that part of the electorate which ensured your victory is now resolutely disappointed in the jaundiced manner by which you have governed and therefore can no longer trust you with the country’s future.
Another legacy of your administration, one which is not part of the national conversation but which features vividly in private discussions, is the prying open of the Pandora’s box of ethnic polarisation. As a consequence of this, there is the widespread perception of a sharpened degree of ethnic division that has taken place under your watch.
This is a matter of grave concern and something that most people of this country, I believe, despise, with the exception of a few who are committed to perpetuating a social order that runs against the grains of the democratic principles we are governed by.
So, instead of the all-embracing, even-handed, corruption-fighting spirit of Nelson Mandela that you had earlier paid such rich lip-service to, we had the vengeful rise of the spirit of divisiveness and greed which some attribute to the influence of what they call the ‘Hindu cabal’ and which I identify as affiliates of the Saffron Brigade who certainly do not represent the majority of Hindus anywhere.
(Courtesy www.news.gov.tt)
With you as its flag bearer, this shadowy group has now tasted an unprecedented degree of political power. It will not go away, even if it goes underground.
It is this part of your legacy coupled with your determined attempt to present yourself as the flesh and blood embodiment of the maximum leader, which, I submit, has no place in our local politics, that I hold as being most dangerous to the long term interest and wellbeing of this society.
Above all other, it is for this reason I am unable to endorse you a second time. Kamla, you must go.
Compared to the other negative aspects of your legacy, this fanning of the flames of identity politics promises to be most destructive to good social order and is intractable to overcome as we will shortly begin to see as due diligence undertakings are initiated in order to determine the suitability of persons recently appointed to key positions in the state’s bureaucracy.
For it is only then that we will be able to determine the degree of the Brigade’s infiltration of key state institutions such as the: judiciary, state security apparatus, Central Bank, the media, and the educational, health and land distribution institutions, etc.
Whatever the outcome on September 7, the influence of the ‘cabal’ on society is not to be underestimated or interpreted solely based on the strength of the UNC, as reflected in the poll results, since that influence would be far more subtle and more difficult for the innocent mind to recognise.
Yet, for all the difficulties waiting in the wings for those who truly embrace Trinidad and Tobago as their homeland and reject any attempt at communal polarisation, we have no choice but to continue working to establish our nation as one in which every creed and race is assured an equal place.
It is in this regard, I must endorse your competitor Keith Rowley, despite the reservations that I hold. These however, pale into insignificance when compared to those I now have about you.
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Lincoln Myers is chairman of civic group, One Accord. He is an ex-government minister and senator and holds a Master’s Degree in Economic Development and Latin American and Caribbean History.
Well said
you know What he mean
STAY FOCUS…. DON’T ALLOW THE UNC LEAD BY KAMLA … AND HER KLEPTOMANIACS.. DIVERT OR DISTRACT YOUR ATTENTION WITH FOOLISHNESS AND DOTISHNESS, INSULTING YOUR INTELLIGENCE, INTEGRITY AND MORALITY.
“A THROUGH PATRIOT IS ONE WHO PUT’S COUNTRY FIRST, NOT AFFILIATIONS AT ANY COST”.
THERE IS NO POLITICAL PARTY IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO BY THE NAME “PP” OR “KAMLA 2015” … WE KNOW THE “PNM”AND THE “UNC”, WHERE THE HELL THIS “PP” OR “KAMLA 2015” THING CAME FROM. THOSE BUNCH OF CROOKS ARE SO ASHAME OF THEIR NAME “UNC” AND THEIR SYMBOL THE “RISING SUN” THEY ARE HIDING THEMSELVES AND THEIR SYMBOL AND TRYING TO REBRAND IT BY USING “KAMLA 2015” …. THEY ARE EVEN DRESSING UP THEIR UNC (CROOKS)… CANDIDATE IN “COP” CLOTHES… LIKE IF WE STUPID…. IT IS THE SAME BUNCH OF KLEPTOMANIACS.
THE ISSUE IN THIS GENERAL ELECTION IS NOT ABOUT THE POPULARITY OF Dr. KEITH ROWLEY AND KAMLA PERSAD BISSESSAR.
THE FOCUS AND ISSUE FOR THIS GENERAL ELECTION IS ABOUT …
PRINCIPLE,.. TRUST,.. ACCOUNTABILITY,.. TRANSPARENCY,.. CORRUPTION,.. INTEGRITY AND MORALITY IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS….. THAT IS WHERE THE FOCUS AND ISSUE SHALL BE FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION.
DON’T ALLOW THEM AND NIGEL HENRY WITH THEIR PAID POLLS, TO DISTRACT YOU.
I REPEAT….. THE FOCUS AND ISSUE IN THIS GENERAL ELECTION IS ABOUT …
PRINCIPLE,.. TRUST,.. ACCOUNTABILITY,.. TRANSPARENCY,.. CORRUPTION,.. INTEGRITY AND MORALITY IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS….. THAT IS WHERE THE FOCUS AND ISSUE SHALL BE FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION.
THERE ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THE ISSUES, AND ALSO INSULTING THE PEOPLE’S INTELLIGENCE WITH THAT SET OF FOOLISHNESS AND A LOT OF OTHER DOTISHNESS ABOUT “KAMLA 2015” AND “KAMLA HAVE A PLAN.”…. THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO REMEMBER WHAT THEY DO TO US FOR THE PAST 4 ½ YEARS.
WHILE IN THE MIST OF ALL THAT DIVERSION AND DISTRACTION, THEY CONTINUE TO “GANG RAPING” OUR TREASURY AND COUNTRY WITH CORRUPTION, AND NEPOTISM IS ON THE RAMPAGE.
THEY ARE THIEFING / STEALING YOUR’S AND YOUR CHILDREN AND CHILDREN, CHILDREN PATRIMONY.
FOR THE PAST 4 ½ YEARS,.. THE UNC LEAD BY KAMLA AND HER BUNCH OF MISFITS, PLUNDER AND RAPE THE PEOPLE’S PATRIMONY TO BENIFIT THEIR FRIENDS, SUPPORTERS AND FINANCIERES, AND EVEN USE THE PARLIAMENT TO CREATE “SECTION 34” DISRESPECTING THE SACRED HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT WHEN THE OATH / PLEDGE THEY TOOK WAS TO BE THE GUARDIAN OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY…. THIS ACT BY THEM IS WORST THAN THE ATTEMPTED COUP OF JULY 1990 , …… AND THEY WANT YOU TO FORGET THAT.!!! ..
EVERY INDEPENDENT INSTITUTION, STATE ENTERPRISES & STATE BOARDS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE ALLEGED TO BE CONTAMINATED WITH CORRUPTION & NEPOTISM BY THE UNC LEAD BY KAMLA AND HER POLITICAL PIRATES.. EVEN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT SOME MIGHT SAY.
KAMLA AND HER UNC MISFITS SPEND OVER $400 BILLION DOLLARS ($400’000’000’000.00 dollars) PLUS IN BUDGETS EXPENDITURE OVER ( 2010 – 2014) (which no other governments has ever spend in 3 terms (15 years) AND THEY HAVE VERY LITTLE TO SHOW FOR IT.. … AND THE DEFICITS HAVE MOVE FROM $60 BILLION TO OVER $120 BILLION DOLLARS IN DEBTS BY THIS KAMLA AND HER BUNCH OF KLEPTOMANIACS.
.
THE LAST GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIONS SPEND ONLY $280 BILLION IN 3 TERMS (15 YEARS)
THIS IS WHAT THE UNC LEAD BY KAMLA AND HER KLEPTOMANIACS DID TO THIS COUNTRY 2010 – 2015 FOREIGN EXCHANGE..
THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE …. SCANDAL .. “Despite selling US$1.7 billion to the banking system in 2014, significant unsatisfied demand carried over into the start of 2015. Jwala Rambarran said since the start of the year (2015) he had supported the market with US$1.4 billion and for the corresponding period last year it sold US$865 million.
The Central Bank said for the first seven months of this year, US$3 billion came to the market in supply, while the demand was US$4.3 billion
It added that for the corresponding period in 2014 the inflows were US$3.2 billion, while demand was US$4 billion.
The Central Bank said for this year to July 31 “inflows dropped by $300 million while demand increased by US$360 million dollars.”
The bank said it had met the shortfall and had put “US$524 million more into the market this year than last year.” ( Allegations was made that the arrangements which was in place over the years was “SECRETLY” change…. NO REASONS WAS GIVING FOR THE CHANGES ,..SHORTAGE,.. OR WHO BENEFITED FROM THE SECRET CHANGES…
THIS SHORTAGE COULD BE CAUSE BY “MONEY LAUNDERING” “DRUG DEALING” AND FRAUDULENT DEALINGS.
“ Until justice is blind to colour, until education is unaware of race, until opportunity is unconcerned with the colour of men’s skins, emancipation will be a proclamation but not a fact.”
~Lyndon B. Johnson~
Well said MB – Kamla Must go, why? Because Kamla is NOT the Prime Minister – I’ve preached and preached over and over again that the Cabal is running this country (Moonilal, Rambachan, Bharath and Sat Maraj)……Kamla is just the poster Child they puttin on a pedestal to try and fool the population……Their campaign manager have adopted the oldest technique in politics – Paste the name all over the media; repeat it over and over; and chances are, the public will buy into it. I think that technique has outlived its time as people have become desensitized to it..
As you said, we have NO ONE to replace the current leadership.Dr.Rowley is NOT fit to run office for sure..but as I’ve asked hundreds of time – who do we put? Currently, we have no one that fits the profile – we have Doctors after doctors willing to give up their practice to rock for $30 grand a month as an MP – when they can make 10 times that in private practice- why on earth would they do that? It’s the pilfering and the possession of the Keys to the treasury where they can make 1 million times their take home as a GP…yo think they stupid? But, we as citizens en mass – somehow, believe that Doctors and Lawyers are honest and smart peoople and give them the keys to the treasury….
Anyways, this is my last post on this site. I don’t appreciate my comment having to be moderated before appearing; leaves room for partisanship! Which I don’t believe in.
Felo, we get many really intelligent comments on the site. But there are those who will drown us with the most vile comments imaginable if there was no process for moderating comments.
So it is a necessary evil that must remain.
We are sorry that the pace is slow at times. We are a small group. But we hope you have patience as we are getting better at this all the time.
All who saying Kamla must go, I say ok, but we have no competent person to replace her. I hope that for all our sake the one that is our future prime minister is not power hungry or inept as everyone claim that Mrs. Kamla Bissessar our present prime minister is.
you damn fast the P N M is there
This is a democratic society where I am entitled to my opinion just like you. Have a nice day!
Leave the people who feel that vulgarity and ineptitude is good for the development of T&T. If they can just get over their racist bias..
Barbara traboulay is right she does have her opinion as all of us do an she is quite right in her comment .I not a fan of the UNC/ pp band of haters but we still have to be open minded.
Kamlia is the most incompetent pm we ever have in our country….where this idiot living…in space
She come to stay. Solid as a rock. Not moving.
You had a dream
Adios kamala see you when I see you
She must see allyou is cult
Should have been gone a long time ago
Should have been gone a long time ago
Rubbish
Ohoh vex because kamala is going don’t get vex she only going to be the opposition leader so don’t be vex lol
The only place Kamla and she 40 thives are going is either up Frederick street or Arouca
Pooh!!! Three weeks before the General Elections!!! ???Suddenly the detractors have voices and knows how to write. For five long years they were silent and now they want an applause because they gave a good speech or wrote an excellent article. Where were you’ll when Trinidad and Tobago was burning?? Where was your objection to the PP government missteps? Where were these same pillars of the community when the pilfering and raping of our treasury and public institutions was going on? Oooh!! But you’ll now realise which way the ship is sinking and want to be relevant again. I’m sorry. But I can’t trust these detractors. ????????? Great article by the way. ????
I agree KA-MA-LA must go, Kamala and the 40 hieves
People, do not despair.
This too will pass.
The experiment of mass democracy needs these types of happenings.
If you listen to the stuff that comes out from other “democracies” you will see that the sort of venom and rancour that is being spewed in T&T is not way out.
What is truly disturbing to me though is that we are not learning and progressing. It seems that we are going backwards to even more racist talk rather than less.
People like Sat Maharaj and Suruj Rambachan and Devant Maharaj are really the product of a prior time. They have been consistently consumed by their twisted view of humanity and I doubt that they could ever change.
Mr Myers has come out and said what most people who think are saying. But maybe the problem is that not many of us are given the thinking tools in our so called education. So we consistently are left with the dictatorship of the masses. And those politicians and financiers who can make the most of these masses will win.
It is probably way too soon in human history and definitely in T&T’s history for anything fundamental to change what is happening. In the meanwhile we just have to make the most of it and try to influence the people in our ambits to start to think for themselves. Many thanks
Duh
A well written thought out, fair and unbiased article from the distinguished former government minister Lincoln Myers. It was worth reading. Lets hope that the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago in their wisdom make the correct decision come September 7, 2015.
Well Said Mr. Myers – though I may differ in my endorsement for PM. My philosophy in this election as far as the PPG / UNC is concerned, the population who votes “Kamla” is actually voting for Moonilal, Rambachan, Bharath and Sat Maharaj – those are indeed the “deficto leaders” of the country – the PM is the effigy the country is supposed to admire and believe is running the country.
The level of corruption, nepotism, cronysm and pifery that took place under this administration equals no other – they have entered a new realm of corruption. The owners o SIS and Jusamco have entered a new class of elites to the ilk of Bernie Madoff and the Koch brothers. I dare not nasty my fingers to endorse the gruesome threesome “Moonilal, Rambachan and Bharat.” – God would surely punish me!
As far as Rowley goes – He had infinitely no leadership qualities, period. He lacks the very fundamental skills of a politicians “English Verbage.” I’ve listened to him “verbiage” on several occasions and it amounts to a form 2 student. He really and truly has no plan, no vision and no clear path to governance in order to improve the lives of the citizens.
Therefore, we are left to choose from the greater of “Evils”….This I say has put our nation in a dangerous position….we are leaderless, rudderless and in the wind…..
please note I made these comments without reading the above post…now going to do that…bless
I have some comments to make, it will shock some, others will be angry with me [ I dont really care]….but truth be told judging from what I seen in my constituency, its obvious we have too many illiterates out here who will support any thing once they are given a jersey , some cash [ maybe ] and a drink….apparently they are not thinking about future generations. freedom of expression and movement , racial equality , justice ….I could go on…but I hope you out there get the point…I have more to say … this is just the tip of the iceberg as the saying goes ….stay turned….those of us who love and respect truth, justice, equality, integrity, morality, to you I say stray strong…bless
She will have to go.
They are now seeing the light,to little to late,but thanks.
Ramsook is so right, I hope Trinidad and Tobago hear what the man say.
Agreed…
Noted Lasana.
Very on point.
Well, for what it’s worth, he did criticise Kamla before over her blind spot for Jack Warner: http://wired868.com/2012/02/18/jack-kamla-and-erasmus/
Wow very profound and intense
The winds of change will be blowing over the Trinity Hills,come September 8th.This ghetto government got to go,and spiritual values have to come back to our beloved Trinidad And Tobago.
People’s minds/consciences will be more open now, as more and more Trinis are praying for their country and for this Election. Have no fear – ALL will see the light, soon enough.
At least he did before Sept 7th….:)
I like the article also.Better late than never!
UNC…
LOL…Am… why again? If you could give me 10 SENSIBLE reasons why UNC should get any intelligent,patriotic and right thinking person’s vote after the these last 5 years I will personally vote for them.. SENSIBLE eh!
Rhoda Bharath you took the words right out of my mouth! Over the last five years incidents have occurred and all those that “anointed” or endorsed KPB either stayed silent or continued to sing her praises! Now two weeks before the elections suddenly ppl finding their conscience? Really? That being said I like the article.
Bye,Bye Kamla!!!
Today, distrust abounds and truth flies in the face of God whichever religion is at the podium. Corruption took its feet, and crime and social unrest, the natural outcome. This current regime has made several mistakes, the biggest of all being the massive turnover of officers across a variety of Ministries, Boards, and Foreign appointments. These all seem to have been made out of poor and flippant CV and Resume reviews, friend and family aside. Therein lies the boo-boo of the PPP. There has been 25 and maybe more of them…..
Here is the list of people fired, replaced, or resigned
# Name Party Gov’t Status Portfolio Start Date End Date Termination Type
1 Mary King COP Sen Minister 28/May/10 10/May/11 Fired
2 R.N. Gosine-Ramlogan UNC Sen Min 28/May/10 26/Jun/11 Replaced
3 T. Batiste-Cornelis UNC Sen Min 28/May/10 26/Jan/11 Rep
T. Batiste-Cornelis UNC Sen UN Embass
4 S. Panday UNC Sen Min (Jr) 17/Jun/10 26/Jun/11 Rep
5 P. Watson COP Sen Min 18/Jun/10 26/Jun/11 Rep
6 D. Abdullah MSJ Sen None 18/Jun/10 18/Jun/12 Resigned
7 J. Sandy UNC Sen Min 28/May/10 24/Jun/12 Rep
8 D. Maharaj UNC Sen None 18/Jun/10 24/Jun/12 Rep
9 Nicole Dyer-Griffith COP Sen Min 27/Jun/11 24/Jun/12 Resigned
10 Verna St. Rose-Greaves UNC Sen Min 27/Jun/11 24/Jun/12 Rep
11 C. Partap UNC MP Min 27/Jun/11 27/Aug/12 Fired
12 H. Volney Ind MP Min 28/May/10 20/Sep/12 Fired
13 T. Baynes TOP Sen None 27/Jun/11 25/Sep/12 Resigned
14 Jack Warner UNC MP Min 28/May/10 26/Apr/13 Resigned
15 J. Mohammed COP Sen Min 25/Jun/12 5/Sep/13 Rep
16 Christyn Moore TOP Sen Min 26/Sep/10 5/Sep/11 Rep
17 Glen Ramadharsingh UNC MP Min 28/May/10 25/Mar/14 Fired
18 C. Sharma UNC MP Min 28/May/10 31/Mar/14 Resigned
19 Anil Roberts COP MP Min 27/May/10 31/Jul/14 Resigned
20 E. Moheni NJAC Sen Min (Jr) 28/May/10 2/Feb/15 Rep
21 R. Griffith UNC MP Min 28/May/10 2/Feb/15 Rep
22 E. George UNC Sen Min 28/May/10 2/Feb/15 Rep
23 Gary Griffith COP Sen Min 6/Sep/13 2/Feb/15 Fired
24 Anand Ramlogal COP Sen Att. Gen 26/May/10 2/Feb/15 Resigned
25 T. Hamel-Smith COP Sen Senate President 18/Jun/10 2/Feb/15 Rep
the facts speak for themselves
even a blind person could see what this KPB Government has done to our beautiful twin island Mr. Lincoln you got it right this time around
From the pic it looks like she approves Lincoln Myers message. Two thumbs up.lol
Lincoln take long to make out Kamla…
Damn long.
The detractors of KPB have my vote this rounds…actually well, since her pipe days, she didn’t have my vote…but obvi there are a lot of other reasons why she must not take the lead role in government ever again, whatever else anyone believes, if you believe she is good for Trinidad after her record, you are smoking a plant-like substance… “Kamla, you must go.”
Everything every supporter or detractor says has to be taken with a gallon of salt these days…
Yep. This government now has me praying for the safety of PNM’s candidates and their families. The rampant acts of vandalism and targetting of candidates’ workplaces as well as death threats reeks of a kind of violence never before experienced in Trinidad and Tobago. Violence has reared it’s ugly head and we can only hope that after Sept. 7, we can put it back ‘into the box’ from whence it came.
“…I must endorse your competitor Keith Rowley, despite the reservations that I hold. These however, pale into insignificance when compared to those I now have about you.” If you have lived here for the last five years, it’s hard to have “reservations” about Kamla; there is much too much confirmed information now in the public domain – not Jack Warner’s mean-spirited personal accusations and innuendos – for one to still be uncertain that Kamla’s is not the type of leadership T&T needs.
No one is to take the full blame for the debacle that we are in… NO ONE! This regime came on the heels of a leader that was seeing himself as Pontiff and all else was as the Leviathan saw others, as needing another, higher authority, the Leviathan, to make decisions for them. Thomas Hobbes, presents that the “Leviathan rigorously argues that civil peace and social unity are best achieved by the establishment of a commonwealth through social contract. Hobbes’s ideal commonwealth is ruled by a sovereign power responsible for protecting the security of the commonwealth and granted absolute authority to ensure the common defense.” That ‘s what we had in the making with the ousted 2010 regime. Now, we seem to have something else, a maturing Machiavellian regime. “In The Prince, Machiavelli´s guide to political cunning, he argued that a ruler should employ any means necessary to gain and hold power. He cited the ancient political maxim, divide et impera, “divide and rule.” No one is to be blamed solely for where we are and what we have become and if there is a change or not, the people must insist that neither, the Pontiff nor the Machiavellian, home a home base whatsoever.
I am with you…she MUST go!! Anyone who truly loves Trinidad and Tobago could NEVER return this Government to office!! I endorse Dr. Keith Rowley, and declare in Jesus’ name and will, that he WILL be the next PM of our beloved Trinidad and Tobago. Let’s leave race aside and put country first!!!
Agreed. Kamla must go. There is no way she and her cohorts must be allowed the endorsement of a second consecutive term given the damage she and her party has done and the farce of the partnership needs to be acknowledged as dead. UNC just wanted the votes that COP stole/borrowed from them to lead government. There was no partnership. That lie is another reason why KPB and the UNC are not to be trusted. Give them the boot, for the sake of this country.