I remember the time, long ago when the PNM was in government and at around budget time gas stations throughout the country used to be jam-packed with motorists filling up their tanks so as to save some money before the increase in petrol took place.

Then the UNC under Basdeo Panday came into office and those days were no more. People looked forward to the then-UNC government's budget. Panday's mantra, which he kept, was "No new taxes!" At that time the oil price was approximately US$9 a barrel.

Fast forward to today. The day of the budget, gas stations all over appeared as they were in the 90's under the PNM — jam-packed! The "gas pains" headlines are back and budgets now cause fear and anxiety. The irony of it all, though, is that we are currently being run by a UNC/COP administration and not the PNM.

We now have a budget of over $58 billion being spent and citizens are indirectly being told to "tighten your belt!" My question is, where is the money going? And not only that, those in authority are now being so bold-faced. Imagine they are demanding that we switch to the inferior gasoline. By raising the price of the better quality, environmentally friendly resource, this Government has now infringed on another fundamental right of citizens by trying to limit their movement. But then again this should not come as a surprise. Remember the SOE? As this UNC/COP Government continues to ensure that we become a welfare state by making the already burdened working population fund all their social programmes and their gala fete after fete after fete.

In about three years' time this Government will demit office in such a manner, that even Manning would look like a saint! And I believe I am on the button, because after two years in office, the UNC/COP Government can't even fill half of Mid Centre Mall for a rally! The writing is on the wall.

Liberation day will soon be here and once again the citizens of this country will be free of not only the UNC and COP but Section 34 and blunders and missteps. One thing we can learn from this Government though, is it is not really the party but the leaders. Have no fear Madame PM, the only six per cent of motorists that premium gasoline will affect, when added to the unhappy rest of percentage of population, equals an election lost!

Sorry Jack Warner, you are a good man but the people you put in government have made you move from hero to zero!

Brenda Collins

Via e-mail