-Or guilty by association?
Frankly Speaking
Just a (seemingly) trivial query from me to you about those who can impact upon our daily lives. Or our daily struggles to survive.
And yes, I realize that it is a question that could be deemed both useless and unnecessary. However it could also tickle your imagination and the assessment you make of those you probably elected to manage our nation’s affairs.
So, do you have any real favourite government servant you admire or respect? Can you really identify any government Minister or Head of Department you have found to be professional, helpful and courteous? Really, really earning your respect? Before you assess, judge and respond, consider my background hereunder.
Firstly, you probably realize that there is both personal respect and functional respect. If someone earns, from another, both levels of respect and regard that is great and speaks volumes for the esteem one holds for another. Often, however, you really don’t care for someone’s persona, his or her character and characteristics. But you have to demonstrate some respect for their office, their function and position. Why? Because, if we don’t display respect – functional regard – for office, we whittle away at our institutions, those which any society would want to endure. National institutions, offices should inspire national respect and protection. If we are to be recognized as a nation. With traditions.
Secondly, an oblique but related issue was raised in the media’s letter-pages by Lindener Frank Fyffe earlier this year. As praises were heaped, with justification, on brilliant national contributors like Fred Wills, Rashleigh Jackson, Shridath Ramphal, and others of that gifted ilk, Fyffe questioned their motivation, even their integrity. He reminded that the brilliant minds were serving under a regime that had stolen the people’s will through continual rigged elections and afterwards trampled on many rights and freedoms for nearly three decades. They did little to change the political status quo – with their brilliance. They were thus, also servants of and part of the oppression.
A spirited debate ensued, with some positing that elections apart, these prestigious persons” chose to stay and “serve their people and country” with their unmatched and needed expertise. Great debate, but to me, morally these prominent servants were guilty by association – association with the corrupt and the crooked! Ah, but no society or system is perfect or Jesus-like, you say?
Okay, even I who served as a senior public servant under those who stole elections could be guilty. Even though I felt less tainted during my earlier years as a school-teacher. Consider…
Authority-oriented, Power-drunk
But how do our officials, elected or appointed to “serve” us, become so impersonal bureaucratic, distant, hostile, sometimes?
Reasons vary, I daresay. A previously – humane “ordinary” person becomes engulfed with officialdom and authority after a few years in office. They probably become insensitive and people-unfriendly either through some superiority syndrome – or through the stress of knowing the futility of their function.
Oh but then there are the power-drunk, domineering miniature Caesars! These wield their authority or power like big sticks to keep subordinates and other citizens – who voted for them – in their lowly places. Besides personal grossness and crudities, they exhibit arrogance and callousness for both their peers and the small man. Alas, a few power–filled officials are also just dunces!
Now close your eyes, open your minds and think of our current crop of decision – makers, policy-framers and national managers. How do they carry themselves and wear, and execute their responsibilities?
A power-elite? Really?
We know that some systems, some forms of administration develop a “power-elite” over time. From monarchies to dynasties to just dictatorial political “perpetuators”, an elitist centre of power evolves, replete with the sanctions of law and money, sometimes even religious blessings.
But do we have that here? Can our administrators qualify to be Elitist? Does any class reside in our current political and governmental “class”? I’m hard put to identify much prestige, even dignity in today’s lot. What about you?
Who’s your favourite Minister, Permanent Secretary, Head of Department, Head Teacher, Chairman of a Board of Directors? Why do you choose him or her? Remember, respect must be earned. Government officials need not win popularity contests, but surely they should serve with quiet, expert and efficient dignity and understanding. Do you know of any such? Good luck, ordinary Guyanese.
Dr Steve sees Red!
On Sunday and Monday there were newspaper reports of statements made by an obviously upset Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally. I therefore won’t be surprised if others have seized his views and outpourings, to comment upon them, by now.
So since I would have been beaten to it, I do just two things here: one is to state that for years I have not seen such a fine `busing delivered by an official functionary against the topmost authority in the land. And in robust but erudite language too!
Secondly, just what did Dr. Surujbally mean when he said that/or asked whether $300,000,000 (originally) for two parties’ scrutineers had “another motive as its point of origin”? Please help me interpret this, somebody. And the answer!
Ponder…
*1) Any update on the huge (stalled?) construction at High and Princes Streets?
*2) Sad to know US Ambassador Jones was/is ill.
*3) Attorney-General Ramson knows words like Dr Surujbally!
*4) See those old-time penalties like “fifty cents or two days’ hard labour”? They might still be on the statute books! Values and morals back then…
*5) Which prominent person of prestige is the nation’s brand new Director of Culture?
‘Til next week!