The people of T&T are in desperate need of an urgent wake-up call. We have developed a truly disgusting sense of entitlement in this country, fuelled no doubt by political parties' eagerness to get the uninformed votes of the masses.

Whenever there is an issue, problem, task or any matter that needs attention, our instinctive reaction is to call on the Government, and of course, mother/father Prime Minister comes running to us right away like the parent of a spoiled child.

Instead of the private sector funding the whims and fancies of the populace, the Government does it. The Government recently handed out $4 million to fund Emancipation Day celebrations.

The problem is not so much the giving of the money, but the group was so brazen as to refuse the $1 million initially offered, claiming it was insufficient. Since when is the Government supposed to fund any such celebrations? Are we becoming a socialist state? Money needs to be invested in the growth of the private sector so that private businesses can create jobs, foreign exchange and grow the economy. Money should not be handed to people, especially simply to appease them.

The standard of living we have grown accustomed to in this country is completely artificial. What happens when the oil and gas money runs out?

When financial troubles really begin to hit then the reality will be apparent. This comfortable life of low gas prices, free tertiary education, relatively low food prices and government jobs waiting to be filled by persons ill-qualified will soon come to an end. When a country goes into recession or experiences financial difficulty, one of the first things that governments cut back on is people's salaries and benefits. GATE is another handout that will be cut. Where else in the world is the tuition of tertiary education free? Accessibility to education has been improved tenfold, however, tertiary education is not a right but a privilege. We have increased the number of graduates without ensuring they have jobs when they leave university.

We have become a nation of handouts and welfare. The clock is ticking.

Jason Romero

Maraval