Comments on: Carmona’s coming

By: Mamoo

Mamoo — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:58:53 +0000

Under the present administration things have improved considerably especially in rural communities. To satisfy the quest for experts the “permanent secretary position” was created to work in the various government departments. This position was set up to inform the incoming minister on the “modus operandi” of that department.

I do agree with you that the government needs to go back to a decentralized form of governance that would provide services to the areas in need regardless of who is in power. The PNM only fixed the areas where their supporters lived, that model was wrong and saw part of the nation receiving goods and services, while the rest being punished.

This government is moving back to strengthening the local government. That means money can be given to the local government to build roads and drains, working in conjunction with the Member of Parliament. That was the model that the first Prime Minister Dr. Williams used to address rural communities. It worked then and it is working again under the PP. Every community receiving directly a certain sum to address it needs regardless of political affiliation.

By: Mr C.

Mr C. — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 22:23:05 +0000

I am not advocating a wholesale adoption of the American system. I experienced it first hand for the last twenty years. I am advocating a system where parliamentary representatives and local govt representatives are in the field, their constituencies on a full time basis with the exception of when they have to attend parliamentary sittings. I want my representatives to advocate for those who elected them. Look at the conditions of our secondary roads, look at the amount of garbage all over the country, look at the wastage of water, pipes leaking in some communities and no pipe borne water in others. I can go on and on, the current system needs to be tweeked. No one is looking for perfection but what currently obtains is not delivering the goods. Let the majority leader, after discussions with the President select a cabinet. The current upper house of senators should be dispensed with. Let us have a unicarmeral parliament. In the American system as you well know, both houses and by extension, both parties have a say in the selection of thye cabinet. My proposal will allow the President and the leader of the majority party to select a cabinet.

By: Mamoo

Mamoo — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:06:13 +0000

Mr.C there are no perfect system of governance. The American system of governance is an abject failure. America is in a downhill economic slide, partisan politics have stifled anything that is good. The tea partiers hope that Barack would be a one term President but it did not happen. The political gridlock in America is appalling. The Republicans control the house and therefore could choose not to pass any legislation, therefore making governance difficult for Obama.

The current system of governance in TnT has not entirely stop government from moving forward. That is to the benefit of the citizenry. How a nation should be govern will always be a subject of debate well into the future, political appointments will always be viewed as not good for the nation. But Mr. C that is the nature of power. Power under the West Minister system is centralized from the Prime Minister Office, the most powerful organ of administration. One may say that it is an office for a dictator and the only safeguard is the 5 year election. Until the process of governance is “fleshed out” in the public domain I am not eager to Adopt the American system of governance….it is a system that has not worked effectively (at least at this time in history).

By: Mr C.

Mr C. — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:56:46 +0000

Hi Neal, my love for the American system is restricted to the appointment of cabinet members and the operation thereof. The President, with the assistance, advice, concurrence of the leader of the majority party in parliament, will appoint cabinet members, they will report to the President who will be an Executive President elected by the voting population. Presidential candidates may not belong to any political party, this election will be separate and distibct from the general elections.
Appointment of Judges, senior public servants(PS,etcc.)Commissioner of Police will be done by the President on the advice of the various services commissions. These commissions must be adequately staffed and funded and must work efficiently so that appointments are made expeditiously.
I firmly believe that parliamentary and local government representatives should be full time. Parliamentary representatives shoiuld not be cabinet members, they should be in their constituencies improving the facilities and conditions for the people who elected them. They and local govt reps could form a cabinet for the constituency. They should be given professional staff(Lawyers, Architects, Town Planners, Medical personnel, etc..) They should be given a budget based on the needs of their constituency.
Areas like highways, education, national security, agroiculture, law,etc will be for the cabinet.
Our current suystem is not working. I hope the reframers of the constitution will propose drastic changes in all aspects pof governance. I hope President elect Anthony Carmona’s term will be the last as currently constituted.
On the issue of President Robinson’s appointment of Patrick Manning instead of Basdeo Panday my view at the time and still is that the sitting Prime Minister should have been allowed to continue in office.