US-based Liberian psychologist Evangeline Mamie Tarr has urged Senator Abraham Darius Dillon to shift the conversation from whether politicians are “mean” to addressing the economic challenges that cause many Liberians to seek assistance from public officials.
Responding to Dillon’s recent comments about people describing him as “mean,” Tarr said the issue presents an opportunity to examine the deeper causes of dependency and begging in Liberia.
She argued that greater access to employment, affordable financing, agriculture, electricity, roads, vocational training and business opportunities could reduce citizens’ reliance on politicians for personal assistance.
Tarr encouraged Dillon to take the discussion to the Liberian Senate and advocate for practical measures to create jobs, strengthen agriculture, support small businesses and expand infrastructure beyond Monrovia.
“Instead of simply telling people to ‘go home and farm,’ let’s make it possible for them to actually succeed when they go home,” she said.
She also called for farm-to-market roads, agricultural training, storage facilities, food-processing businesses, reliable markets and expanded vocational and entrepreneurial training.
Tarr further urged greater transparency and accountability in government spending, saying development resources should reach the intended beneficiaries.
“Take the conversation from ‘Who is mean?’ to ‘How do we create opportunities?’” she urged, stressing that most Liberians want the dignity of providing for themselves and their families.
