The Mighty Chalkdust (Dr. Hollis Liverpool) | Photo credit: https://www.caribbeanlife.com/chalkdust-awarded-tts-highest-honor/

I am an avid fan of Calypso – its lyrical and melodic mix and the fact that each year we document our history in these songs is to me a UNIQUE facet of WE TRINIS! 

In following the Calypso scene this year, I went back to other songs performed by the leading contenders – and what did I find? None other than Chalkie’s “Qualifications of a Politician”. 

(see lyrics below, and link here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwwxmKzDjng) – you really MUST listen to this song. 

Using Chalkie’s yardstick, I began asking a number of persons if I had the right qualifications. I was very disappointed – at first – to discover that I would certainly fail miserably in this field – as evidenced by my quick descent in the COP.

This led me to ask them a second question – what should I be then? The answer was the same – “You already know.”

I don’t want to be a Politician – I want to be a Nation Builder – a person who is an ‘inspirational, aspirational’ (that’s not a word btw) leader. 

–

You see … to mine own self I MUST be true … after all.

I do not wish to operate in the grey area of life when it comes to right & wrong. I am an idealist who believes that utopia is possible. We must break down systems which have been perpetuated both deliberately and through ignorance and we must build a suitable political vehicle from the ground and the top in parallel, which is guided by a ‘brains trust’ but, which begins with credible and sustainable ‘nation-building’.

I know some of you, if not all of you, are tired. But, I am not asking you to leave your armchairs, grandchildren, kitchen renovations, cruise holidays or luncheons. 

I am asking you to dream a bit with me. 

Ask yourself – IF I COULD BUILD THE T&T I WANTED IN MY OWN IMAGE, WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE?

I have a plan to amalgamate all these visions into a cohesive development agenda that will span decades beyond not only your years left, but, indeed even my own. There are persons who will look past age, gender, ethnicity, political party, vested interests and all the others causes of stagnancy, which have allowed us to squander opportunity after opportunity. But, you know the problems quite well.

In July 2017, Michael Joseph wrote:

“Since gaining self rule (Independence), this system has failed my parents who spent their living years trying to understand it, and how to work with it, but to no avail: hence, the reason for the 1970 uprising by their offspring, which was crushed by the agents of colonialism amongst us. It has not worked for our generation and our offspring of the post-Independence era: hence the reason for the overcrowding of the jails and for old, young and innocent blood flowing in our streets. We look on helplessly as our grandchildren take their places in the line of victimhood, with no greater expectation than those before. Where have we reached as a nation? 

All because we are too spineless in the face of our failed colonial realities, we must now live in fear of a generation that will have theirs- by any means necessary. They cannot be blamed, for it is we who failed to confront the new pirates head-on, so that generations to come would have a better future and enjoy a more fulfilling lifestyle from the sacrifices made through blood, sweat and tears by generations before. 

They will never be able to, once we keep on burying our heads in the sand and displaying our learnt ignorance of the fact that these youths today want to enjoy their ancestors back pay.”

This is not INCREMENTAL change I want. It is immense transformation.

Trust me – this adventure does not BEGIN with a Political Party – and while that is part of it – it certainly does not END there either. 

I need your help. I trust you. Many of you have inspired me in some way and I believe none of you have a personal self-interest in being part of national development. 

Let me know – what do you think?

Rudy 

***

QUALIFICATIONS OF A POLITICIAN 

Chalkdust (Dr. Hollis Liverpool) 

Daddy could you tell me what’s the qualification I must have to be a politician

When I grow up I want to become a famous man

Like George Bush, Panday Robinson and Reagan

I know to be a doctor you need a degree

I know a simple soldier must be tall with a strong body

To become a scientist, you need Maths for this

But what must I study Daddy, to get into Politics?

Son, can you be in the PNM Party?

And your heart in the UNC?

Can you be Robinson’s chief party whip?

And fight him for NAR leadership?

You must swear on Bible and take false oath

You must use big words to get votes

You must lie

And watch me straight in me eye

Oh son –

That’s the qualification,

Of a Politician!

You must shun

People, when election done

Well son –

That’s the qualification

Of a Politician!

Daddy could you tell me to be a Politician,

A man must have sound education?

Should I go away to London or the USA,

For me to be a Manning or a Panday?

I know musicians study,

Music as Berkeley

And all good Doctors does be at Harvard University!

Well at which school did John Humphrey,

And Sudama study?

Ah hear they did a crash course here,

At the school of Woodford Square.

Son, you must go to the school of selfishness,

And learn how to be dishonest.

You must go to the school of scampishness,

And like Judas, learn to cheat with a kiss.

You must talk with your good friend Kelvin Ramnath,

And call him a bloody upstart.

You must fool people and fool yourself in the long run,

Oh son –

That’s the qualification,

Of a Politician!

You must hate roti and yet, hug up the roti man,

Well son –

That’s the qualification,

Of a Politician!

AH LIE?

Son, a Politician is a special breed of man

With a special personality.

He will promise you paradise and the promise land,

And after elections, he knows nobody.

He’ll give his party members car, house, jobs and big road.

Although they have no papers, he puts square pegs in a round hole.

He’s one who shows no pity for vagrants and poor humans,

If you could behave like that my son,

You on your way to be one!

Son, you must watch the crime rate escalating,

And yet talk about race and vote catching.

You must see two people on one hospital bed,

Then pass through the ward and just nod your head.

You must talk the Queen’s English in Parliament,

And curse obscene as you reach the pavement.

You must thief,

And jail a man if he touch a leaf.

Oh son, that’s the qualification,

Of a politician.

You must smile and drink whiskey

With your enemy.

Well, son that’s the qualification –

Of a Politician!

Son,

You must sell your soul like George Weeks cheaply

For position in the NAR party.

Like Maurice Marshall, you must know NJAC is the best,

But to the public, you must not confess.

You must live in big house, like Ancil Thorn and John Humphrey,

Far far award from poor people society.

In Parliament, like Rawle Raphael you must a be a yes man,

Well son –

That’s the qualification of a politician.

Like Donawa, only resign,

After you get pension.

Well son –

That’s the qualification of a politician.