The Return of Manning... (or What's Behind Door Number Three?)

It is a sad indictment against the Kamla Persad Bissessar Administration that when former Prime Minister Patrick Manning got up to speak in the house on Friday, the people reacted to him not with scorn, but with nostalgia. Reminscing for a better time perhaps, when, despite the accusations of budding dictator tendencies and some sketchy decisions with hiding his support for Pena's church and his involvement in and handling of the Calder Hart affair, the country itself seemed to be moving forward daily, albeit with a horrendous runaway crime problem, for which we were willing to turn to anybody for help and ostensibly why the People's Partnership is in Government today.

That they are failing at it and badly is plain for everyone to see, and the crime situation seems to have worsened with some especially heinous crimes attacking the national psyche on a daily basis, unabated. There is a marked absence of the much touted plans and policies from some of the more vocal and public People's Partnership members, and those who promised a better day after the PNM were routed from Office are remarkably silent now.

It is my belief that it is only a matter of time before public opinion (read those who don't directly financially benefit from this Administration's version of sketchy schemes) turns to complete revulsion over the slow collapse of social order and the stalled economy; demonstrations, slowdowns and lawsuits may eventually cripple this Administration despite their comfortable majority in the House.

Why?

Because, despite still having a robust economy and sensible energy prices, the country is starting to feel like a depressed version of itself with hope in the promised better tomorrow on the rainbow hill with the magic beans all but dried up.

Where are the pretty singing children now, the expensive, extensive campaigned promise of a better day dawning?

Judging by the evening news and the mood in the street, no one is interested in putting their hands in anybody else's right now, nor do they care to hear the Prime Minister try to 'sing away' the real problems still facing the country that are deteriorating on her watch.

Reality is such a buzz kill.

Back to my opening paragraph, the public's reaction to Manning's contribution in the House is also a sad indictment on Dr. Keith Rowley's reign as Leader of both the PNM and the Opposition, because the PNM members, for the first time since the May 24th defeat, found themselves hopeful again.

Dr. Rowley has either resisted or failed at making the necessary changes required for him to have anything like Party control and public support, and he may soon find himself sheepishly returning the baton of power to his former leader after failing at his chance at doing it his way.

To many, 'his' way was no way at all, and despite some sniping at the Government's heels over issues he deemed important, the outcome is always the same with him beginning to appear more of a Chihuahua than the famed Rottweiler.

Reading this I know it appears that I am somehow longing for the return of Manning, and I would excuse those new to my writing for making such a mistake.

From this I had hoped to infer that if even Patrick Manning could capture hearts and minds after all the abuses on his watch, then it must be clear to all that both the Government and the Opposition Leadership have failed at their respective promised change and it is high time for other persons to make themselves available to serve.

Six months later, still promises, promises, no delivery. Enough with the hocus pocus now, let us start campaigning again.

Who say do so?