Free laptops, uniforms
COP launches election manifesto
Rohandra John rohjohn@trinidadexpress.com
Friday, October 26th 2007

Primary and secondary school pupils will benefit under a Congress of the People (COP) government as the party is promising to provide every pupil with free school uniforms and pupil cards which will allow them free bus transport and discounts on other educational supplies.
The COP is also promising to give every pupil in the secondary school system and vocational schools a free computer laptop, should they form the new government.

COP political leader Winston Dookeran made the disclosure as he officially launched his party's election manifesto at a function at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Port of Spain yesterday.
The glossy 39-page document is called The People's Platform and Dookeran said it emerged from "extensive and intensive conversations across the country with virtually all stakeholder groups and thousands of individuals".

He also said that it was essentially a "contract with the people" and assured citizens that unlike previous governments his party intends to deliver rather than give empty promises.
Dookeran was the first political leader to officially launch his party's election manifesto in the run-up to the November 5 general election.

Outside of education, the COP outlined a number of other measures and initiatives which it planned to implement to deal with some of the major problems, key among them: health, crime, high food prices, inflation, traffic, flood control and land regularisation.

Dookeran said his government was serious about tackling high food prices and again spoke of plans to remove VAT from all food items in Tobago, while reducing the current 15 per cent VAT to ten per cent on food items.

He said that they also planned to introduce "an immediate programme of food production. We shall convert Caroni Ltd into a viable operation using opportunities and investment for the development of by-products in the sugar cane industry and at the same time develop a programme for food production and food security, so we shall increase the supply of food in the country, employ people give them opportunities and lower food prices."

In the area of crime Dookeran said that within 90 days of government, the COP will introduce electronic bracelets for prisoners on remand and those on bail awaiting trial for designated offences. He also said that his government will move to adequately equip the police force and ensure they are properly trained.

Dookeran also said that his government did not plan to discard the multi-million dollar blimp or other high-tech surveillance equipment purchased by the current government but will instead utilise the technology to help combat crime and "will seek value for money".

C.O.P. really hoping only indians will vote for dem with this manifesto. Which nigga interested in free laptop or uniform or school supplies????

But this party serious about taking this country forward with this fucking piece of shit. Removing VAT from food in Tobago???? Where they buying the fucking food to get it to Tobago?? Trinidad!!! So they paying VAT anyhow.

But I must commend them on the idea of putting a bracelet on a nigger hand, this may very well be the best policy. Chances are, another nigger will chop off the hand to get the bracelet hoping to pawn it OR the nigger may cut off his own hand to get it off. Either way - the spin off will be: less niggers with hands. No tiefing, no shooting, no jocking, no voting and more zaboca on trees.

As I close my eyes, I can see the many, many good things that can come about by this one move. Reminds me of when the Mighty Masturbating Midget (got that from Josey) sang about Vera Bhajan - Chop off dey hand!!