THE EDITOR:
THE latest NACTA poll conducted by Vishnu Bisram of the United States reveals that the ruling PNM “will win by a landslide, despite widespread dissatisfaction.”

This statement reveals basically two major observances:

1. How can a pollster use the word “will” (will, representing finality) knowing that it is a poll and all polls are subjected to change from time to time depending on the impact of a wide range of factors as the electoral/political climate changes and as an election heats up and/or draws nearer?

I would have thought that the pollster would have been better advised to use the word “would” (would, being conditional, meaning the poll is subjected to change) a la, the PNM “would” win the next election despite widespread dissatisfaction.

2. How can there be widespread dissatisfaction with the government and at the same time, they are being touted to win by a landslide?

Isn’t this a major contradiction?

Imagine being dissatisfied, yet deciding to vote for the PNM.

Are those polled mentally deranged?

If you are dissatisfied, with, say, a caterer, would you still continue to order food from him, even if the food was not good, or from soemeone else who provides better food?

Bisram contends that infighting is the principal issue which is driving voters away from the UNC, but in my estimation, the issue is not whether there is infighting: real, imagined, or media-inflated; the issue is whether the goods can be delivered by the PNM’s alternative.

In this regard, certainly the PNM are not delivering the goods at all: a murder/kidnap/crime rate unparalleled in the country’ history, spiralling food prices, carnage on the roads, wanton abuse of hapless children, abuse of women, uncurbed domestic violence, indiscipline among the nation’s youth and a virtually dysfunctional education system, apathy towards elders in the society and despite record-breaking flooding everytime the rain falls, no water in the taps predominantly in Opposition territory.

For the first time in 30 years PLIPDECO has had to purchase water in order to operate at a near satisfactory level.

Moreover, there has been a virtual shutdown of the dessalination water facilty at Point Lisas.

I find it cryptic that despite all these failures of the ruling PNM, they are still slated for what NACTA and Bisram call a “landslide” victory.

I find it also enigmatic that “infighting” in a particular political scenario will be the factor of choice by those polled to such an extent that it can or “will” allow a failed regime to win the next election by a landslide.

My own personal take in this is that this poll is a ruse on the part of Vishnu Bisram.

I think it is a deliberate attempt to serve as a wake up call to the UNC.

To get them politically worried, if not scared.

To tell them, in no uncertain terms, that the time has come for them to get their house in order.

In other words, it’s a psychological poll: a poll with a purpose, a purpose designed to send a coded message to the UNC.

In conclusion, I dare say that I cannot, even in my wildest imagination, see the PNM winning the next election by a landslide.

This can only happen if the election is rigged and therefore it is most inevitable that the UNC scrutinises every step the EBC takes.

I dare Bisram to conduct another poll.

I predict the results “would” be different.

THE EDITOR:
I AM amazed at the number of dishonest people preaching God’s word.

These corrupt people bring the name of the church into disrepute and make some people believe that all priests and pastors are corrupt, which is not true.

I know of pastors who fleece the public.

One of them who professes to be a good social, community and religious worker went as far as to borrow $3,000 from an 89-year-old pensioner more than a year ago and is refusing to repay the loan.

This pastor is a retired oilfield worker and his wife a retired teacher, so he did not really need to borrow a loan from this pensioner.

Maybe he is holding back on the loan because he feels the senior citizen may pass away at anytime.

The pensioner complained to me that he met the pastor recently and asked him to repay him.

However, the so-called man of God told this poor old man that he sent the loan with someone else.

Do you think, pastor, that the old man or I should believe that you really sent the loan payment with a friend?

I call on this dishonest pastor to reimburse the ageing citizen with immediate effect because the man needs his money to help purchase groceries for his family.

He has requested that I try to help him recover the money he loaned the pastor over a year ago.

So, pastor, if you want to inherit eternal life pay this senior citizen his money, instead of trying to evade him.

Otherwise you will never get close to God’s kingdom.

THE EDITOR:
DEAR Anil, you made some valid points.

And I hope the leaders seriously take note of the points I make as well as your analysis of the poll and get the United National Congress (UNC) house in order. I am in the South Pacific.

Fiji is having elections next week and I am trying to help my brethren. I should be home in a few days and will phone you.

Have faith in my polls.

I know what I am doing.

Trust me for now! Later.

THE EDITOR:
THIS letter seeks to bring to the attention of the Honourable Minister of Education, a problem I encountered at the Finance Section, Ministry of Education, Port of Spain.

The reason I am drawing this to her attention is due to the fact I think she is not aware of the problem and I am sure many other members of the public have had this horrible experience.

I live at Trincity but teach in the West, therefore any matters I have to see about is either done during time off or after school.

Having a matter to deal with, I decided not to “abandon” my students but to leave as soon as school was dismissed.

With the increased traffic and the problem to get a carpark, I reached a particular section of the Finance Department just after 3 p.m., only to find the entire section empty.

I enquired from a lady in a nearby section to which she replied the officers in that section have flexi-time (from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

Madame Minister, this is a horrible arrangement!

How could all the officers in the same section be granted flexi-time together?

What has happened to the 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. workday?

Can some other arrangement be put in place to accommodate members of the public from 3 to 4 p.m.

My suggestion is to split up those workers but I am sure they do not reach for 7 a.m., do not start work at 7 a.m. even if they are there, take long lunches and even leave before 3 p.m.

A problem one may encounter, though, because I have tried to visualise it in the work setting, is what happens when people who stay after 3 p.m., want to leave early perhaps due to an emergency?

Another problem, do the same officers always have flexi-time or can it be some on/some off at different intervals, thereby giving everyone the advantage of being able to leave early.

Madame Minister, this is a ministry that should be evolving as with everything that is happening nationally as well as internationally.

Please investigate!