STREET VIBE: That’s insulting! Condescending politicians are T&T’s biggest freeloaders


“It is sad and indeed ironic that those who have been accusing taxpayers of living off the fat of the land, are the biggest parasites of the offices which they occupy; doing all this while paying no taxes.”

The following Letter to the Editor on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s criticism of the public for its reliance on the government was submitted by Rudy Chato Paul, Sr:

Photo: Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. (Courtesy Caribbean News Service)
Photo: Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
(Courtesy Caribbean News Service)

So there I was, entertaining myself on Facebook—the only entertainment I can currently afford—‘mining’ people’s business, when up jumped the now infamous 22 second video of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

There he was, ranting like David Rudder’s “mad man”, boldly condemning citizens of this land for relying too much on government for having to build the nation’s roadways, health centres, schools “and every this and every that.”

By now, most would have seen the video and as such there is no need to quote him.  I replayed the 22 second clip several times, just to be sure of what I was hearing and make sure I understood what he was saying.

I knew when it became the talking point someone strategically placed would be required to put positive a spin on it. And I was correct—again.

Apparently the PM is of the view that successive governments, for at least the last two generations, have been doing the people of this land a great disservice by providing roads, schools and health centres along with “every this and every that.”  The various regimes have been busily moulding and shaping our entitlement mentality to which we have become so used that we now need to be “weaned off.”

Unfortunately, the goodly Doctor said nothing of the career political parasites who became fabulously wealthy simply by occupying the corridors of power—some for more than an entire generation—while their respective constituencies have been, and continue to be, systematically and intentionally neglected.

Photo: Time to roll up your sleeves!
Photo: Time to roll up your sleeves!

The PM’s logic explains the derelict condition of the roads in constituencies defined as ‘safe seats’ held by both of the major parties. Put another way, one may recall Peter Taylor, not so long ago, also accusing citizens of “living off the fat of the land.”

It is sad and indeed ironic that those who have been accusing taxpayers of living off the fat of the land, are the biggest parasites of the offices which they occupy; doing all this while enjoying exclusive tax breaks.

This means that the PM, who has been a Member of Parliament (MP) since 1991, who was also appointed as a Senator in 1987, has enjoyed certain benefits not shared with the ordinary taxman for the past 29 years. And he is not the only one.

Coincidentally, the current Minister of Finance (MoF) has also been an MP since 1991. Sadly, his portfolio has not the slightest relationship to anything resembling finance. And, like the others who occupy the corridors of power, he has been one of the biggest beneficiaries, since it is evident to all that he cannot survive in any other world—as was evident in his construction of stadium which subsequently collapsed.

For the people who came begging for our support just over a year ago, to speak to us as though we are all lazy and illiterate, accusing all of us of being dependent on the government is highly offensive.

Photo: Time to tighten those belts.
Photo: Time to tighten those belts.

In fact, the majority of this nation are hardworking people, making sacrifices, having been asked earlier to ‘eat cassava,’ while others sip on “Presidential Wine” and a political leader flies like a mosquito, from one nation to another, with nothing to show for his travels aside from accumulating frequent flyer mileage.

That the genius MoF saw it fit to raise diesel fuel three times in the last year, while fuel prices around the world have been falling, is a true reflection of his understanding of economics.

No one is denying that oil prices are down. But this insistance on financing mega projects through taxation on the middle class has managed to reduce them to the status of ‘the working poor.’

The science of reducing VAT to 12.5 % while adding it to most food items is another of the MoF’s genius ideas.

It is abundantly clear that the people who occupy the corridors of power are out of touch with the people whom they begged for support recently. Until the PM and those with whom he surrounds himself with understand the functions of government, reckless statements like the last one will continue.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. (Copyright Andrea De Silva)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
(Copyright Andrea De Silva)

Let’s hope there’s a sequel to his book, which reads: “From Mason Hall to White Hall, and Back.”

 

Editor’s Note: MPs do pay taxes on their salaries. That error in the initial post was corrected.

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About Rudy Chato Paul Sr

Rudy Chato Paul, Sr, is passionate about gardening, music and writing and boasts post-graduate certification in Anthropology, Criminology and Sociology. He also studied Theology, which is why he is actively seeking to make Trinidad a better place rather than waiting for divine intervention. 

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434 comments

  1. Allyuh vote for dat. And still wonder why some of us choose not to vote at all?

  2. Trinidad and Tobago: a place where politicians and their friends and families can live luxuriously off the fat of the land but get vex when they see u living off the crumbs of the land.

  3. Rose-Marie thanks for sharing the video.

  4. The government is saying tighten your belt but that is only for the small man. Why all of them in high office dont give up their ( TAX BREAK ) until things get better in the country, All they are saying they thief out the money , its been one year nobody is before the courts they are all jokers both sides come to fool their die hard supporters who dont know better?????

  5. Now that I’ve listened to the whole speech, my what a completely different picture is revealed. Having first hand experience with the racist and political agenda of the head of news at CNC3 I can safely say there is mischief in the way the news clip was edited. The PM may have a case here for his lawyers to look into.

    • Yes….I understand what you saying. Really different when you listen to the whole thing. There is nothing wrong, not the tone nor content, in what he said, in MY opinion. In fact, he is totally correct, and I agree with him.

  6. Too many Pontius Pilates in our Trinbago society.

  7. Boy fire for this bald head fool yes

  8. So a career politician thinks that Trinidad and Tobago’s real problem is that taxpayers expect too much from the government. And not that government corruption and mismanagement has put us on the brink of bankruptcy.
    Now I can understand why career politicians would think so. What is harder to understand is why some taxpayers would agree with that conclusion.
    It takes a special skill to get turkeys to cheer for Thanksgiving.

    • Lolololol – we have a special breed here – The Illiteratti

    • I must think that you heard what you wanted to hear Lasana – or is the speech you linked here a different one?

    • Long time people would take this shit for the first two years and when the govt release in year three to election they was happy , This generation not forgetting yuh eh !

    • Annette, listening to the entire speech did provide some context. And he did say some sensible things.
      But the 22-second clip was directed at the citizens. So he was not sold short there. And I think his statement was unfortunate.
      Worse, I think it follows a new trend by the current government where taxpayers are blamed for all the ills of the country and picked on disproportionately.

    • That’s like Jesse James telling the Dalton Gang to quit robbing banks.

    • Lasana, We will have to agree to disagree here. I honestly expected to hear him lambaste the citizens as I read over and over, and was grateful for the opportunity to hear for myself. Am I offended? NO WAY. To the contrary the context was right – we are not the USA with a Federal Reserve where, when we go bankrupt, we can go print another billion or two! That was the context – some businessman criticism that the government did not provide a ‘stimulus package’!!! It’s time for Trinidad to take stock – we are in deep debt and must work towards clearing it all!

    • I am not dealing with what he said to the businessmen. I’m offended by his manner of speaking to me the taxpayer and his interpretation of what represented a gimme gimme attitude.

    • Annette Dopwell First of all it was the manner in which he said it. Second it was the PNM who created the dependency syndrome under Eric Williams to secure votes and if you know your history you will know which ethnic group became dependent on the government. Third it was this same prime minister who demanded backpay for work he ostensibly performed while suspended from parliament. Yet threatened workers who actually worked that if they kept demanding their backpay they will wake up the next morning to find they have no jobs. That citizens should be weaned off government is a noble sentiment. It’s a pity it must come from the mouth of a man who does not know how to speak to people.

    • I was threatened for asking that backpay be paid .

    • Gerard Johnson I totally forgot that the PM asked for his backpay .

    • Jimi Jorsling The man lacks class. Remember how he dealt with the purchase of a new Benz and the reason he gave for needing a new one. Also his crass comment about his friend saying he ent letting no man push he finger up in my bottom. He speaks like he’s on a street corner talking to his wajang friends except when he goes down Westmoorings and Glencoe, then he’s like a kitchen mouse when the lights turn on.

    • That’s true. The “vomit comet”. And somehow he ended up referencing Sharon’s panties too in his response to nosey reporters.
      You really have no problem with your PM making public remarks like that Annette?

  9. He plays golf in the early morning @ the Moka Golf course. I am glad he is finding time for himself & addressing his health with good clean air & exercise.

    • Undeniably the man has balls, Kathryn.

    • Kathryn, reading all the negative comments I had to take the time to listen for myself. I am offended by anyone finding fault with Dr. Rowley stating, within the context of providing ‘stimulus packages’ for businessmen, that the Government must provide and maintain roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and in the downturn of our economy, cannot – as America did after the Wall St. crash – go to their ‘Federal Reserve’ and print billions of dollars! This is such a timely intervention in Laventille – I’m just surprised.

  10. one of the first things this parasite did was buy a brand new top of the line Mercedes Benz with I am sure all the extras…who the fuck is he to accuse me of being dependent on the government?

  11. i.e. We are not here to work for you so get used to it.

  12. Kamla had alcohol accusations, Keith have this with more to come.

  13. The role of the state is to provide public infrastructure and security. And the role of public servants is to serve us, the public. If that’s no longer on the cards, WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?

  14. so Mr McNeil, you “didn’t hear anything condescending”? Every once in a while something takes one by surprise….This was not one of those times.

    • Is it the word wean you find offensive

    • Nope; what I find offensive is his audacity in telling me that OUR infrastructure, paid for by OUR taxes & patrimony are “handouts” whilst using said monies to buy benz fir himself, feed the many outside chirren he is now accepting responsibility for AND gallivanting all over the globe!!!

    • Btw, you don’t find that offensive?
      I jes wha know how idiotic your thinking is nah?

    • First he call we chirren names and now he on we – de man mad!

    • Shawn Mc Neil No. In fact I did not even see the word “wean” in your post. But your judgement that you didn’t hear anything condescending in what the PM said. Highly questionable judgement in my opinion. Makes me think you must be one of those for whom the PNM can do no wrong. And before that irritates you, I am fully aware that the other rabble have their blindly faithful supporters.

    • I’m consider myself a dispassionate individual for starters. I too believe as a nation we too spoilt on a gimme gimme culture and I believe it is counter productive to growth. As for Dr Rowley speaking style, by now we must be aware of it and not be overly sensitive.

    • Shawn Mc Neil Clearly he could do with more supposed “dispassionate” individuals just like you. As for his “speaking style”, he needs to be reminded seemingly that he has pride of place at the public trough, and the electorate are his hosts and hostesses, NOT the bus boys.

    • Shawn Mc Neil who are the beneficiaries of this “gimme, gimme” culture? Are those the ones who are being taxed to the hilt? Are those the ones who get up in the wee hours of the morning, slug through the traffic, have to carefullywatch everyone around them to make sure they are safe, fight to put food on the table for their children and still have NO benefits under this government?
      Kindly note that is the majority of our population, eh!

    • I probably to dispassionate to be bothered by politicians comments. Trump has gotten to me lol

    • That could happen. Amazing though that so many millions globally accept that out of 320 mill in the US it has had to come down to those two.

    • Shawn Mc Neil heheheheheheheheheee

    • Misty Autumn Dey GO and LISTEN AGAIN! You apparently listened – not to Dr. Rowley – but to your own thoughts or the thoughts of others!

    • Annette Dopwell I listened alright to unmitigated arrogance; to a PM talking to his audience as tho he thought them complete fools; as tho he couldn’t be bothered to explain reality to them and gave them the proverbial electioneering “pat on the back” – yuh know is allyuh poor people we care about, inno; dem rich people wha handouts from we buh we giving allyuh we attention and leadership – buh we jes eh have no money tuh give allyuh nah
      AFTER he had BIGGER budgets than the last government, took away most of the assistance to the poorest in society, paying he rich friends millions tuh – hear this – powers wash a stadium, he buying benz an ting …. Buh, he eh have no money?
      Sheesh – Did YOU listen to that BS? What did YOU take from it?
      Mussee me, yes, oui

  15. I didn’t hear anything condescending, the state can no longer support a welfare, freeness mentality. Time to get serious peeps. Far better economies than ours support their populations less.

    • Thank you Lasana. I’m so happy to have listened to Dr. Rowley’s speech at the Launch of the Primary School’s initiative. To have read ALL the negative reactions is sad. Have we NOT listened to the context within which he spoke of the fact that the Government has to build and maintain roads, schools and hospitals, but CANNOT provide a ‘Stimulus Package’ as called for by the Business community! And here I am reading that Dr. Rowley “talk down to them and to tell them they are lazy sobs for expecting the govt to provide roads and schools”? Sorry! Trinis need to go back to school if that is what they received. To be honest I totally endorse EVERY WORD that was said by Dr. Rowley. I too, HATE that people from Laventille are stigmatised by all and sundry – – especially when I have friends and families whose children today are doctors, engineers and lawyers! Not when in our Young Artist Collective there are beautiful, disciplined, talented children from Laventille. And I applaud Dr. Rowley for supporting this initiative and for appealing to the community – parents, teachers and church leaders – to make of the schools in Laventille one that other areas would want to emulate!

  16. The office of the Prime Minister should take out a full page ad in the papers in order to clarify any misinterpretation in his address ….. like Carmona did! Hahaha

  17. I listened to the whole speech as it was posted in the other thread. I do remember seeing other parts of it on the news ..not just the clip that CNC3 posted on Facebook. Having listened to the speech it seems like that part about the roads etc may not have even been directed at the general public. I’ll have to give it another listen when I have time but I got the impression that he was really shouting at the business community and possibly contractors in general. If so then he should have made that type of speech at the chamber of commerce budget forum or a grouping of business people. It looks like he was talking about the dependency on government contracts. But again …..in a forum of students and parents in a Laventille setting where people always “bouffin” about dependency….I eh know if that was the best forum nah.

  18. The Peter’s Principle is evident here. I had wished Dr. Rowley well for the sake of T&T…..but the pressures of the job is making him mis-step and mis-speak

  19. MPS can afford to drive Porshe and Benz while the rest of us struggle to afford a b14 as they do not have to pay taxes on vehicle purchases.

  20. That’s who allyuh voted for; doh complain now

  21. Anybody have the entire speech?

  22. Editor’s Note: MPs do pay taxes on their salaries. That error in the initial post was corrected.

  23. One correction though. As far as I know, Members of Parlaiment, and Government Ministers pay taxes on their salaries, and allowances (apart from transport0. I could be wrong. If so, please correct me, with source.

  24. First he call we chirren hooligans – or some such; now he calling us lazy SOB;s; hmmmmmmmmmmm

  25. Well said and perfectly factual. Where do these parasites think “govt funds” come from? The taxpayers of course. And if the system needs changing, as it obviously does, then let the govt get their hands out of the country’s pockets and initiate some changes to OUR benefit.

  26. In the said speech he said he’s going to address all Laventille students as a group in a rally. Oh, no one saw that because CNC3 didn’t tell us.

    • He was preparing the Laventille students for a future filled with disrespect from politicians? :-/

    • Speeches and statements by politicians are defended or criticised depending on which side of the political divide some people belong. Time for us to be objective.

    • Can you share it here Richard Zen O’Brien? But I do have a problem with his tone eh. We have been overlooking that for too long. That’s just for starters.

    • I’ll share it later..of course the ‘tone’ is problematic..an entire dialogue is taking place on an irrelevant, ill conceived topic and my tone is the issue…my bad

    • In any service industry Richard Zen O’Brien, tone is definitely important. I bet if the restaurant, hotel or hospital where you were spending your money spoke down to you or was rude, you would immediately feel affronted.
      But this is not about tone alone. During Rowley’s election campaign, he said we will go after the misuse of public funds wherever evidence existed. And he said we will turn the country around together.
      In power, we are seeing precious little in terms of going after embezzled funds. And we getting bouffed like children and told that (I am paraphrasing) it is our fault that the country is in a mess, so don’t run crying to them.

    • That is the man tone. He never was and would never be warm and fuzzy.

    • Imbert not warm and fuzzy. But even he never referenced his wife’s panties in a press conference. Smh.

    • You know what considering we had a drunk PM in a polka dot dress singing 1 luv on her 1st Caricom meeting the panty comment did not affect my richter scale. It did not move. What I want from this government is reduction in corruption and policies that would make people’s life better. So the draws comment while inappropriate made me loose no sleep. We have bigger issues to deal with than the PM being classless. Classless and getting the country back on track I can live with. Drunk like a skunk and being advised that Reshmi is qualify to head our National Security is my issue.

  27. Dude has an editorial on a 22 second clip from a 24 min video. That’s a little frightening ESPECIALLY given what the entire speech was about. Shame.

  28. Not the politicians…their CONCUBINES are tge greatest freeloaders

  29. Well Dr. Rowley, if we taxpayers depending on the government for the basic things like roads, schools, hospitals etc, then LET’S JUST NOT PAY TAXES AND WE WILL BUILD OUR OWN ROADS, SCHOOL, HOSPITALS ETC… it’s that’s simple!! cause I don’t see politicians driving through flood waters, I don’t see their kids going to no ordinary schools and when sickness comes, they could fly out of Trinidad and get the best medical care, so in others words, I paying taxes for politicians to live nice!! HELL NO!! Dr. Rowley rewind and come again!! you all are aggravating this society!! and then want to come back and say that’s not what they meant!!

  30. Yes …..so true, they are the biggest crooks…..the truth does offend!

  31. It is what the people wanted… people wanted to give him a chance…. ? well I hope they are happy to give him a chance to talk down to them and to tell them they are lazy sobs for expecting the govt to provide roads and schools ??

  32. To take s sound bite of 12 seconds of an entire speech to convey a particular opinion an meaning is misleading CNC 3 is famous for this

    • Lolol..well listen to the whole speech, then make up your mind

    • Btw, this was a letter to the editor

    • I think you can tell something from a soundbyte if you consider the tone though. Is that the tone of a public servant advising the people who pay his salary?

      • Your comments seem to imply that you are not in favour of the PM’s advice or commentary. If indeed so, perhaps you can share with us what are your expectations of our leaders.

        As far as i am concerned, Dr. Rowley has departed from the standard in telling us what should be told and not what we want to hear. I give him full marks for that!

        For too long we have had leaders who are only politicking and not leading us. I am not one of Dr. Rowley’s fans but I do hope he maintains a realistic outlook, although unpopular it may be.

  33. Trinidad and Tobago needs a fiscal reprieve. T&T’s treasury is dying for a break from corruption, from financial mismanagement, from poor taxation practices, and especially from businesses that do not forward to the government taxes that their customers paid while purchasing products and services. We must stop relying on oil prices of which we have no control to determine our budget. We need to diversify, be vigilant in tax collection, adhere to sound accounting practices, hold the corrupt accountable, and take action when the auditor general audit report highlights discrepancies.

  34. They capitalise in good times but want us to socialise in bad times.

  35. Vernal Damion Cadogan I understand your view. While what you say is valid in relation to some sections of our society (which our PM would have been well advised to use as context in his statement), what you speak of is the result of social conditioning that is the by-product of our politics that buys votes by taking care of their own respective fascist supporters ie nepotism and make work programs. On the other hand, the PM is wrong to cite basic infrastructure that is the government’s responsibility. Finally, his remarks fly in the face of every study in Economic Development Planning that reveal that no local, regional, national or international Economic development is possible without the government playing a catalytic role.

  36. And going on about roads and hospitals, which are basic services that everyone should have access to, but still giving away millions for religious celebrations and festivities.

  37. Beg and lie.They pulled a Bush 41 on we ass.Read my lips…….TAXES

  38. I am sorry for my pnm People .I know that was coming ..

  39. I saw that video, and though I agree that his tone was harsh and his words seemingly illchosen, the video was too short to give much context as to what he actually meant to communicate.
    That being said, I don’t think anyone can deny that this is a society that has become addicted to “freeness”, particularly in light of the fact that tax collection is inefficient at best, and especially since elected leaders pay no taxes. We’ve all seen the public giveaways, hampers, homes, lands upon which many a recipient has squatted ….. it would have been better had he pointed out these things. Indeed even our monied elite make their fortunes off of welfare for the rich.

  40. The pm and his people have to be very careful. If a narrative takes root about you (true or not) it is very very hard to shake. I watched his Fatca press conference last week where he was ‘hoggish’ with kejan haynes and now this apparent talking down to people. Hubris, arrogance and stubbornness took down our last 3 prime ministers so don’t be surprised if it’s his undoing as well.

  41. can someone explain how come this government has not prosecuted the allegedly corrupt people from the last government and retrieved what they stole and gave away? Because these politicians are really pissing me off right now.

  42. This whole idea of politicians being mini-gods who speak down to their children. That’s them exploiting our colonial history I think. Everybody wants to be father or mother of the nation when that is not why we elected them.
    I still shudder at the memory of that poor old woman bowing at Moonilal’s feet and trying to kiss them after getting a government house. Sigh.

    • Not sure if it’s our history but it’s still being perpetrated by our education system and in some families. U don’t question ur elders-just regurgitate what u learnt-and children are to be seen not heard. But suddenly in tertiary education u start to think critically. And did he not study away? He should have grown and learnt from that experience. Example for other ministers to follow.

    • Lasana Liburd you said it !!!!!

  43. Thanks for posting! This writer articulates how I feel. Allegations of corruption aside, it took another administration to come and put a highway for the constitutients of two of the longest serving MPs to ease the daily traffic. And put a proper health centre in carenage. And build a primary school in the area. So was that a not so subtle blow to constitutients to not expect same performance? Not everything u think needs to be said. And if it’s said and u need a translator to clarify what is meant…hmmm…

  44. I would love to see his receipts for the tolls and construction costs he paid to use the roads that he did to get to the various educational institutions (all private of course) that led to his getting a PhD.

  45. “This means that the PM, who has been a Member of Parliament (MP) since 1991, who was also appointed as a Senator in 1987, has paid no taxes for the past 29 years. And he is not the only one.

    Coincidentally, the current Minister of Finance (MoF) has also been an MP since 1991, thereby paying no taxes.”

    Rudy, are you sure of your oats here? Does the mere fact of being an Mp mean that you pay no taxes AT ALL or that you pay no taxes on your earnings AS AN MP?

    You had better not be right – AGAIN!

  46. Sooooo we pay taxes …. Our oil and gas revenues are to do what ??? Apparently not for roads etc … ?

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