Oh yes, you’ll discover it easily. I tire of the national goings–on; the “issues of national, significance”. Pure stress as I’m determined to watch my blood-pressure.
Never-the-less, the consistent longevity of this man-in-the-street column has to be maintained. So come ramble with me on these random topics.
The President’s poor
Regulars would know over the years, that I’ve embraced Unionist Melville’s “employed poor” when describing the nation’s public servants. These are the government’s employees, the traditional, one-time “civil” servants, who are bound to pay income, value-added and all the other taxes that much wealthier professionals know how to dodge. Nurses, teachers, policemen and women are also among those employed by the State that are usually overworked and underpaid – the nation’s “employed poor.”
Years ago, I had quoted the same Leslie Melville who had found, after deliberate research and study that the median wage in the Public Service was then $5025.00 per month. Some 80% of the Public Service work for that measly monthly morsel and the Carnegie School of Home Economics demonstrated that a weekly low-cost menu for a family of six would now represent 295% of the median wage that the majority of Public Servants receive! Talk about poverty!? What about rent, electricity, transportation, school expenses, et al?
Professor Clive Thomas and Melville, then found no evidence to support the contention that increased wages for public workers fuel inflation. Other more powerful factors are also at work. They both illustrated too, using Government figures, that the Public Service wage bill – the employment cost – had dropped dramatically and deliberately. And Public Employees cannot escape the Tax Man, as others do.
Then when the PPP/C was in their fourth/fifth year of office, as now, public servants had to wait in line for salary increases. Earlier (PNC) Administrations had also subjected the workers to undignified postures and protests, just to win what they deserved. The PPP/C could show vast improvements, statistically. But cost-of-living realities consistently nullify those increases – perhaps illustrating that salary increases alone do not help Public Servants here. Other conditions and innovations should apply. Increases however, are welcome. So when will the Minister of Finance or the public service announce the President’s recent promise? Please do not make it into any “Christmas Gift”.
Pride, Reclamation, Security
Whether some new “Housing Scheme”, or an old traditional village-community, being a proud resident should be a hallmark of the place’s identity, welfare and progress.
Berbicians were/are (?) fiercely proud of being “Berbicians”; Port Mourant and Dartmouth Old Boys, as well as Linden’s, BV’s, Bartica’s and Mabaruma’s descendants salute their birth places, wherever they now find themselves.
Against that background, I support the proud and plucky old timers and matured residents of Agricola who are now trying to reclaim their community from the lawless young. Criminality has tainted the fine traditions of a fine “village”. Even the name “Fenty” added lustre to the history of the community recently held captive by blood-letting bandits. Which leads me to this layman’s query?
When an insightful, constructive Stabroek News editorial like this Tuesday’s one (“The police force needs a strong maritime security department”) appears, does it anger or please “the authorities”? More relevant to the security of our villages, I ask this: can’t community groups help nearby police agencies to construct profiles of every village in Guyana?
In reality, our coastal communities are relatively small! In these days of GPS and other computer technology, every nook and cranny of a community could be mapped out for intelligence and retrieval exercises. Suspect, derelict and dangerous spots, getaway routes out of a village are easily identifiable. All relevant police stations and investigators should have such “maps”. Both for pre-emptive strikes and hot-pursuit necessities. Agreed?
The third-term of my dreams
You realize that when speculating about a Jagdeo Third-term, those doing it imply that (i) the PPP/C will win the next elections and that (ii) Candidate Jagdeo will become President once again. The Third-term talk brooks no consideration of interference from other parties or leaders actually “beating” the PPP/C.
Well, my recent dream informed me that whilst President Jagdeo has no “interest” in a third tenure, which current constitutional arrangements do not accommodate, he cannot be barred from a Medvedev–Putin formula. What’s that? Well this is it: Dr Luncheon, Mr Benn, Ms Teixeira or Mr Ramkarran is the PPP/C Presidential candidate. Mr Jagdeo becomes the running mate; most likely Prime Ministerial candidate! That PPP wins. The President falls ill or disabled; Prime Minister Jagdeo becomes President again. Fair and Square!
What? I’m just wide awake in a dream!? Rule out nothing, especially in our version of “politics”.
Guyana’s Image?
I see Robin Williams exploring this sensitive theme. Our national image, in physical, ethnic “appearance” terms, can really tend to be one-sided, one-dimensional and dubiously exclusive.
The Heads of Local Boards, Associations, Ministries, the Permanent Secretaries, the Contractors, the CEO’s – most look like Indo-Me!
Who are our Ambassadors/High Commissioners to Brazil, Venezuela, USA, UK, Canada, India, Suriname and Cuba!? Proportionality? Discuss!
Mash, the spirit and the flag
We’re launching Mashramani 2010 this evening. On Wednesday I raised the issue of enthusiasm and spirit for the festival.
The centuries-long, religion–founded celebration of Christmas moves the poorest amongst us. Why? I’ll develop that next time, as I agree that our national flag may still inspire us at Republic Anniversary time. It represents our land, hopes, pride and perhaps spirit.
`Til Next Week!
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