Parties have not fully addressed the real issues as yet

Nov 19, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
In the run-up to the general elections, there are a number of issues that no political party has addressed with conviction as yet… issues that are necessary prerequisites if our country is to move forward.
The country needs a policy on its mineral wealth; how much of it should be retained for future generations and how much of it should be exploited for the well being of the current generation.
Gold is a reserve and a store of value and this industry in my opinion should remain indigenous. Giving away our gold for a 5-8% royalty depending on international pricing is not only a sellout but a guarantee that will continue the perpetual cycle of under-development and poverty of this nation. Linden is a classic example. The wealth that flowed from Linden over the past sixty years has aided the development, particularly of Canada, but has left the people of Linden in a penurious state.
The decadence that has taken root in the country has become all pervading. It is this decadence that leads to domestic violence; it is this decadence that leads to drugs and alcohol; it is this decadence that stymies human development and the fact that our girls enter secondary school as children and leave as women.
It is sad that one political party has cultured this pervading decadence to assist it in promoting its rallies nationwide to garner votes, as it appeals to the baser instincts of the humanity of the nation. Further there is a positive correlation between decadence and labour productivity.
Then there is the city of Georgetown. It is said that cleanliness is next to Godliness, but since God is absent from the psyche of the ruling cabal, presumably they can see beauty in squalor.
The management of our finances since independence has been a study of graft and corruption with the present incumbency taking it to new heights. A return of this party to power with an absolute majority would be interpreted by them as an endorsement to continue business as usual and something that they will continue to get better at.
Then there is the question of our education system. The distribution of laptops is a positive but laptops in itself will not promote academia as our students lack basic foundation because of the failure of our primary and secondary schools to provide effective teachings.
How many of our children are now leaving school with CXC certificates but are unable to read and write intelligibly?
These are some of the issues that I believe our political parties should have addressed in greater detail so as to assist voters in helping them to make an informed decision when they go out to cast their ballots.
Mike Smith

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