Will we hear you?

So that's it. The polls are closed, the results are in, the people have chosen. Civic duty has been exercised, or so it has been said. Amazing that such an important 'duty' lasts for only one day. If you exercised for one day every five or so years, what kind of shape would you be in?

We have three political parties with very similar agendas, and the difference comes in how they propose to achieve these shared goals. But, the PNM is not socialist, the UNC is not green and the COP is not liberal. There is no ideological difference. There is, however, enough perception of a difference, and this is why the system triumphs. All of the podium speeches and the verbal battles through the mud work at achieving one thing. Trivializing real issues and giving importance to minor aspects. For instance, Manohar Ramsaran when speaking about Kelvin Ramnath who recently had heart surgery tried to convey the idea that Ramnath was not healthy enough to represent a constituency. Ramnath's response explicitly directed Ramsaran to ask his wife about Ramnath's health. To my knowledge Manohar Ramsaran's wife is not a member of the medical profession.

The witty comebacks on the campaign trail, displays of bravado and machismo by both men and women, get the attention of voters. This latest election proves that. The voters, the body of the electorate that exercised on Monday, November 5th, indicated satisfaction with the choices given to them.

And yet, almost 45% of the population that was eligible to vote did not. With everything that was spent on political rallies, newspaper ads, entertainers, what a spectacle. And still almost half of the nation was not satisfied with the choices available, which is significant. For another five years, we will be sitting in Trinidad. Five carnivals will come and go, five Christmas seasons, five birthdays, five years of marriage, five of our own years, however we choose to measure it, time will pass. As this time passes, do we forget about our civic duty or does it become a daily exercise? Is the choice of voting the sole manifestation of our right to democracy? Where is our voice?

executive president Manning

"Political leader Patrick Manning has declared his intention should he win, to change the constitution of T&T, to become Executive President."

The idea behind the above statement has been waved in true Red Pill fashion all over the news and on the campaign trail. Kamla say she get a draft constitution sent to her in secret. Legal Affairs Minister Christine Kangaloo in turn, denies it.


Currently in Trinidad and Tobago, the following criteria must be met for a legal and binding constitutional amendment to take place.

1. A three-fourths majority is need in the House of Representatives. In an electorate consisting 41 seats, this translates roughly as 31 seats. This majority can be achieved by right, as in winning an outright number of seats in an election to have the majority, say PNM wins 31 seats. The majority can also be achieved by consensus; say PNM-20, UNC-11, COP-10, and the COP supports the amendment, thus a consensus is reached.

2. A two-thirds majority is then needed in the Senate. There are currently 31 Senators in a constitutionally set ratio of 15 Government; 6 Opposition; and 9 Independents(appointed solely by the President). Under a 2/3s majority, 21 Senators are needed to support the amendment, thus this majority has to be by consensus.

As it stands, no one knows if President Max Richards will support such an amendment if the PNM manages to secure both of these majorities.
His term ends on March 19th, 2008.
At that time, a new President will be appointed. It is here that the Prime Minister at the time can appoint someone who will carry out his 'wishes'. Opening the room for this new President to appoint 9 Independent Senators who may simply be selected to carry out the 'Executive President Amendment Agenda' (my term...I like how it soun!)
However, will the PNM secure 31 seats in the general election? What if they don't, which party will align themselves with the PNM on this issue in order to get the amendment passed?

The issue of Constitutional Reform and any change in the system of government is definately an issue that an entire nation needs to take notice of, and should be involved with. The government says that its proposal is still in the draft stages, a work in progress if you will. Rather than frighten people with dark scenarios, why is no political party calling for a nationwide referrendum on the issue? We are gearing up for an election are we not? If the voice and thoughts of the people is what matters, why not seek their opinion, at least, at this stage?

No. No opinion is sought.
Instead, it seems all parties involved would prefer to give our opinion to us.

make a choice, use yuh voice...