Dear Editor,
In a GINA release entitled ‘Everything will not be alright if we don’t struggle for it,’ (Guyana Chronicle, 3.3.08) President Jagdeo, while addressing a large audience at Babu John, Port Mourant on March 2, 2008, was reported to have posed a very important question during his presentation: “What is our ideal today? Where is the ideal of this generation?”
I am sure that a significant number of people among the gathering hoped that the President would have given further details about the ideals of shared governance expressed in Chapter 3 of our National Development Strategy. He should know that Guyanese want to live out the true meaning of our creed – One People, One nation, One Destiny. In his speech he also suggested that young people don’t want to work. There were probably young people in the audience who wanted to shout out, “Well show me the jobs that you have created Mr President, and please don’t talk about cleaning the drainage system.” The money you get from doing that does not allow you to take care of a family. Besides, we have a host of young people walking around with 6 and 7 CXC subjects with dreams of being doctors, engineers and lawyers. Those are the ideals that we have instilled in them, so let us create the opportunities for them.
When I look at the direction in which our nation is heading, I cannot help but question whether or not President Jagdeo has any ideals. What motivates the President to get up in the morning? At least he can listen to the concerns of our people protesting in the streets.
Yours faithfully,
Denton Osborne
