Dear Editor,
Why should citizens wait until after we cast our votes for the government to fulfil their side of the bargain?
Aspirants to the helm of government shouldn’t dictate what they are willing to do for us if we vote for them; we as citizens and citizens’ groups must demand what they must do if we are to vote for them. In Guyana it is like second nature to speculate about the sincerity of politicians and government alike when grand ideas, programmes, largesse and policy decisions are adopted during an election year. During these impressionable moments, governments and politicians realize that they must show their nice faces and expend an appropriate level of resources in order to maintain and expand their support bases to attract traditional non-supporters. Citizens are often happy about these developments; however, when the dust settles, it’s back to the same divisive politics and heavy-handed governance. This period of positioning by politicians and the incumbent government is also an opportunity for citizens and citizens’ groups to test the integrity and truthfulness of government and to a lesser extent political parties aspiring to the helm of government.
Citizens’ groups and all citizens of Guyana must understand that it is our right (inalienable, human and undeniable) to demand (not request) from any government we elect, those interventions that are feasible and in our best interest. What we need are representatives of the people who act now, not tomorrow or next year but now. For example, sugar and bauxite workers must demand that government listen and act favourably in relation to their concerns about livelihood and well-being. Families and friends of victims of traffic accidents must demand stricter requirements and testing for driver’s licences, greater visibility of traffic police and strict penalties for dangerous driving and accidents caused by motor vehicles and bikes. Public servants, including administrative staff, teachers, caretakers, university lecturers and professors, etc, must demand a just and rights-based income for their daily sacrifice. Supporters of political parties must demand that these parties develop manifestos, programmes, policies and interventions based on the needs we express, not something written by some consultant or party insider who thinks they know best. Most importantly, every citizen and all so-inclined citizens groups must demand that Guyana engage in a pragmatic and symbolic national process of reconciliation. Forget finding the truth; we need to focus on re-aligning our relationships with each other, our values and sense of ‘Guyaneseness.’ Collectively and reconciled we can engineer the development of a proud, vibrant and peaceful nation.
Just a few days ago, Guyana gave birth to the largest budget our Parliament has ever approved. This can be interpreted in many ways; however, it is safe to assume that without any significant increases foreign direct investment, trade surpluses and funding from international financial institutions, that money will come from elsewhere, mostly likely value added tax revenues. Taxes come from the people and in the democratic tradition are used for interventions to better the lives of citizens. The government and those aspiring to the helm of government can no longer make excuses that we are a heavily indebted and poor nation. Where and to what the allocated funds go should be largely decided by the will of the people. Now during the run-up to the next general election (if it materializes) there is the perfect opportunity for citizens to demand of the government policies and interventions in our collective best interest. Now is also the time for government and political parties to demonstrate their integrity, truthfulness and responsiveness to the will of Guyanese. Guyanese should start demanding, and if they don’t produce, they don’t get our vote, simple as that.
Yours faithfully,
R Small
