It is as if we are dis-connected from the real world and if this is an accurate assessment, the planet that we inhabit is yet to be discovered. Our leaders continue to experience some difficulty in being able to chew gum and walk at the same time and worse, is the fact, that the voices of protest are muted by a populace that is indifferent because we have permitted the ruling political class to set our agenda. Apparently they know what's best for us.

Having said this, we are creating a privileged class in Trinidad and Tobago and that does not bode well for future generations. This is frightening. I wish to cite the present president of the United states George Bush. He is of the privileged, a poor academic student who graduated from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut and who, once boasted that if he, being of poor academic standing could become president of the United states others could do as well.This is how the privileged view their world.

So, it is no wonder that the statements made by Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez in referring to Bush as the Devil, has more than a ring of truth to it. The evil perpetuated upon the Iraqi people as a result of Bush's adventurism is appalling and we have found it to be palatable because we believe that we are in the good graces of Massa. The question is, for how long? The privileged will determine that for us.

As copy cats, it is not expected that we would attempt to re-invent the wheel, it is expected though that we would gravitate to that which enhances the quality of life of our people and by extension our entire society.We enjoy being captives instead of captors as it reduces our responsibilities and I wonder if this enslaved mentality that exists in our midst will forever be the cornerstone of our legacy.

We must realize that the privileged class with their resources and influence that live well nearly anywhere as long as the underclass continues to exist. Our priviledged class continues to grow and eventually the mundane matters that mean so much to the underclass will become a luxury that they " the underclass" will no longer be able to afford. This is not an attempt to condemn the entire "privileged class," it is however; an attempt to introduce a bit of realism into the life of our Nation.