Dear Editor,
As I projected in two letters to SN, President Obama has won a comfortable victory in the USA. It is very strange that Vishnu Bisram, who claims to be an experienced pollster, until the very end of the American campaign kept hedging his bets, replicating all the “political pundits” who were trying to pull down Mr Obama. In the electoral college count on election night, President Obama won a great victory and he won it by forming coalitions in the Democratic Party which broadened his appeal and secured a great victory. Obama’s victory speech was a mark of excellence, and his commitment to unity and working together with the Republicans was a sign of greatness and patriotism for his country. When will Guyana have a man of vision and purpose like Mr Obama?
Editor, here in Guyana, we have a President who lost the last election in November 2011 and wants to act as if he won it and can rule alone, whereas Mr Obama won a clear victory and yet, in his speech, committed to ruling with consensus and compromise. Mr Ramotar has been in power for over a year and acts as if he won over 50% of the vote, seeking no compromise or consensus with the opposition and committing his party, the PPP, to majoritarian rule. There is no give and take, just take it or leave it, and with the racial divisions in our country, this represents a very dangerous course for the PPP. The lower rank and file of the PPP should find a voice and demand a new democracy in that party, just as Americans have a voice in their parties in demanding that their leaders listen to their concerns and not take them for granted. Look at Berbice, a PPP stronghold where there are no good jobs for our young people and which is an area this government and Mr Ramotar have virtually abandoned. Taking peoples’ votes for granted, as we have just witnessed, cannot happen in a real democracy like the USA.
Editor, President Obama will join the ranks of the greatest presidents of America, I am sure, and the very changes he will bring to our planet will amaze many people. Just as they were amazed when he first became president of the USA four years ago, they are now even more amazed that he has won this 2012 election. God bless Mr Obama and keep him safe to do the good work he was chosen to do, and as the whole world celebrates, the United States, the beacon of democracy and freedom, is a much greater nation because of him.
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr)