Our politicians have a lot to learn from their U.S counterparts. The American Government, after months of consultations, discussions, debates and tea- parties, successfully passed a very important legislation late Sunday night which will guarantee health care coverage to over 30 million people, and more freedom of choice for Americans and accountability on the part of health care providers to those who already benefit from health care.
The true hallmarks of a democracy were delved into way past the 11 o’ clock hour through the enactments of the various procedures and technicalities—reconciliation—and such were terms used after three sessions of voting. I am always taken aback by the hard work and determination of US lawmakers. Sunday night was no exception, as they debated and subsequently voted way into the evening when most of their countrymen and women were probably asleep.
Whenever we look at our debates in the parliament here, we are bound to see one or two members dozing off in the light of day. Here we had men and women of the world’s superpower facing off in this historical vote some 100 years in the making. For the Republicans, a fight to the very last to block ‘ObamaCare’ and opposing government- run healthcare; for the Democrats, putting back power to the people and stringent measures for insurance companies to provide the best services ever.
The Democrats won and the bill was signed into law. When will our leaders put country first and late nights to assure Guyanese the passage of important legislation such as this one? It will be the day when legislation to release licences to more radio stations finds its way in debates into the midnight hour in the parliament. Our lawmakers do not seem to be ready for this at all.
The many late- night sessions our Guyanese parliamentarians spend in parliament are usually spent during the Budget Debates, and they usually quarrel. That is, putting aside the walk- outs, squabbles, remark- throwing, name- calling, boo’s, and in one case a few months ago, members of a particular side of the aisle throwing a powdery substance to make a point.
Yours faithfully,
Leon J. Suseran
