Is anyone listening?

A United Nations finding that nearly 513,000 people in Trinidad and Tobago cannot afford a healthy meal should be a cause for national alarm, but it appears to have gone largely unnoticed. The article argues that addressing crime, social stability, and national unity must begin with tackling fundamental issues like hunger and unemployment.

When people lack the means to eat properly, work honestly, and survive with dignity, it breeds anger, resentment, and division. The author contends that the solution to crime is not solely increased policing but ensuring people's basic needs are met. This is illustrated by the case of a small business owner, hospitalized for weeks, who faced crippling penalties for late filings, pushing the cost from $120 to over $5,000. This bureaucratic burden, the article suggests, adds to the hardship of struggling businesses and individuals.

Amidst these economic struggles, the national conversation is becoming increasingly divisive. Headlines about addressing racial divides coexist with a government minister's description of planned protests as acts of hatred. This tone, the author warns, is a red flag. When citizens are hungry, unemployed, burdened by penalties, and ignored by institutions, the risk extends beyond poverty to social fragmentation, where economic pain morphs into racial suspicion, political hostility, and open resentment.

While the law and courts have a role in addressing breaches and unfair treatment, they cannot be the sole solution. By the time a matter reaches court, significant damage may have already occurred. A mature society, the article concludes, must resolve issues proactively through better administration, fairer penalties, accessible dispute resolution, and compassionate enforcement. Public officials must listen to citizens' frustrations before they escalate into anger, and elected representatives should prioritize representation over partisan politics.