Let’s use this period of reflection to assess what can be done to avert all the crises we face

Jan 08, 2009 Letters

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Dear Editor,
We have developed a culture in which mediocrity is acceptable.
Poor customer service both in the public and private sectors is the norm.
Assess what can be done to save our nation from all the crises that we face.
Every Mash season the public is guaranteed of a brewing controversy, that at the very least will provide some form of entertainment or distraction that enables us to exhale temporarily from the constant pressure that we are forced to endure as a nation.
Thankfully, we had a relatively quiet Christmas celebration; the country entered the New Year with noticeably less excitement and fervor.
Those who would deny this assessment are probably the privileged amongst us who have nothing to worry about because they are safely tucked away in their constantly monitored mansions or have been the recipients of lucrative State contracts that will take care of their kin for generations to come.
Though it would be untrue, many would label me a cynic for I have reached and passed the age when youth could be the reason given for my unbridled candour.
But be assured of one thing – I will not apply diplomacy if the circumstance demands otherwise. And if the punishment for my frankness is that I must keep on moving until I find the ideal place where integrity, truth and justice reign supreme, then so be it.
I am very well aware that many who labour hard may not be lucky enough to enjoy the fruits of the Promised Land in this lifetime.
At the time of writing it was reported that women and men are being kidnapped by armed bandits; drugs is taking over the country.
Such horrific news with statistics to corroborate show that despite the public relations campaign by this regime to the contrary and the flying of crime figures in Parliament from years gone by, the situation appears to be getting worse.
No parade of the bands, however spectacular, will drive the crime wave away and no calypsonian, even with the greatest talent, has been able to use the art of social commentary to shake the conscience of those in authority who are delinquent in duty, to improve their level of performance.
We have developed a culture in which mediocrity and less is acceptable and any person who attempts to change the status quo must be stopped in his tracks.
Poor customer service both in the public and private sectors is the norm and comfort must be had in the fact that it is difficult to find competent persons to operate in the workplace.
The challenges we face as a society, with values breaking down by the second, make the prospect of achieving developed nation status by the year 2020 highly unlikely.
Some would conclude that we have passed the stage of societal recovery and are currently on an irreversible track of impending doom.
I beg to differ because as long as there are persons who love our country to the extent that they would risk their well-being for the sake of making our nation a better place in which to live, then there is always hope.
Perhaps we expect too much from a society that is so politically divided that the independent decision making process has been seriously compromised.
It is as though we have lost our ability to think things through in an objective manner and prefer to be blindly led by those who lust for power at all levels.
Individuals who fight vigorously for unyielding adherence to transparency and accountability in public matters are viewed as unnecessary trouble makers who must be neutralised and destroyed at all costs.
So gullible is the public that it seems at times so ready for the easy way out, that those in charge can easily skew the facts and be assured of popular support.
And where does that leave the faithful few who cannot condone the nonsense which is spewed from the mouths of those who lead the masses?
They are damned if they do and damned if they do not.
What advice would you give to a fearless trooper who recognises that the General in charge of the troops has gone astray?
Should he keep moving forward knowing full well that those who follow within the rank and file are being taken to the slaughter house?
Or should he make an about turn and protect those who are in the dark about the evil machinations that churn in the minds of those driven by self-serving purpose.
There will be persons who challenge the actions of the protector and who remain loyal to the General either because they themselves have a secret desire for power or simply because they do not know better.
Whatever the reason, it would be wrong to endorse any person who pretends to act with highest principle when the facts suggest otherwise.
When you next read this column, we are going to be celebrating Mash and the season of Lent would not so long begin.
For Christians this is a time for meaningful introspection and provides an opportunity for persons to strengthen their faith in the Almighty.
It is suggested to all readers, whatever your faith and regardless of your views, that this period of reflection be used to assess what can be done to save our nation from all the crises that we face.
Maybe we need to pray more earnestly for guidance as to what action if any should be taken when we confront the unexpected or are forced to make right decisions that have unimaginable repercussions.
Perhaps comfort can be found in this excerpt from the Serenity prayer written by the late Reinhold Niebuhr:
God, give us the grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed;
Courage to change the things that should be changed,
And the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.
May we all enjoy a safe and happy Mash.
John Mootooveren

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