Dear Editor,
There is an unsurpassed immorality being pushed on Guyanese of all races by our political elites. It is called local government elections without reform. Over eight years ago, it was agreed in Parliament these reforms were absolute necessary. Today, a President of limited credibility and honour has unilaterally decided he will decide on what local government reforms will occur as his political party attempts to hold on to power by whatever means necessary.
Yet these same Guyanese politicians tell the world, Guyana has one of the most progressive constitutions in the world. Surely no sensible person would accept Guyana has constitutional enlightenment.
There are two fundamental litmus test points for an enlightened constitution. The first relates to the power of the highest office, in our case, the powers of the presidency. The second lies in the power of ordinary people to have a say in the affairs of their daily life.
Guyana has shown the world it has an autocratic and non-benevolent monarchy masquerading as an executive presidency. Where else in the world is there a president who is above both criminal and civil law, in and out of office? Even President Obama does not have this democratic absurdity. Even Fujimori did not have this. This simple reality negates any argument about constitutional enlightenment. It rather suggests constitutional lunacy. This type of presidential power nurtures dictatorial behaviour.
The second litmus test centres on the rights of ordinary citizen to have a say in things that affect them every day. In this second test, Guyana shows it has constitutional cockeyedness. Guyana has party lists such that someone from one part of Guyana can be selected to represent another part of Guyana. The Leguan and Wakenaam airstrips vividly illustrate this principle. Now, instead of local government reform that allows village councils and local residents to govern themselves, we are being told that it is ‘my way or the highway.’ For this is the essence of local government reform. Residents of a community should have a say in who collects the garbage, fixes the road, etc. Not some uninformed politician.
Our politicians need to have stakeholder inputs into local government reform. Not two politicians. If Guyanese citizens had been empowered eight years ago, instead of two bosses telling us what to do, we would not be in this mess. What an expression of gross incompetence. Eight years later and the work is incomplete and incompetently performed.
Some of the recommendations of the task force also reflect a special type of arrogance that is unique to politicians. This is because politicians, when asked to build a ship, often would build a submarine that can only float.
I urge all Guyanese politicians to stop playing God with local government elections and with us. As the Bible states in Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Before the next elections, many of our politicians may be around to remember this promise.
Yours faithfully,
Eric Phillips
