Dear Editor,
Can you imagine, Editor, that we procure 80 per cent of the medical supplies of this nation from one person to the tune of some $4 billion? The crux of the matter is that an increasing number of citizens cannot afford this PPP Government; they are certainly too high maintenance an entity. So how do we the people influence an alternative spending plan in 2014?
First off it is refreshing to know that even the IMF is calling for “a more even distribution of the benefit from economic growth” and this must be quoted to apply the necessary pressure to achieve exactly this. We cannot continue to sing “Let us co-operate for Guyana…” when according to a financial model that I built, the top nine business families have estimated wealth of over $252 billion growing at rate of $479,000 every hour. After taxes (remember VAT) and NIS are deducted, the majority of Guyanese do not even earn such sums of cash in a year.
So there is no need for anyone, especially the President to even mention “let us work together,” when he sits on top of a system that actively provides ammunition for the struggle ‒ economic inequality. Any righteous and politically conscious President would want to address the cause of the struggle rather than the effect of the struggle. Will 2014 find President Ramotar examining this issue in detail or will we have more of the ‘It is them, not me’ syndrome?
I am an eternal optimist and if ever we should enter a New Year full of optimism, it is 2014. We should be optimistic that President Ramotar will change his wayward economic, political and social public policies to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. Isn’t this what the Founder Leader of the PPP, Dr Jagan, dedicated his life towards – the well-being of all his people?
I want to use this opportunity to wish the nation all the best for 2014 and call on the majority opposition to yield not to the PPP until the local government elections are held and the commission and tribunals especially the Public Procurement Commission and the Public Service Appellant Tribunal are constituted. Failure to achieve these basic milestones will not be politically providential for the opposition.
To the people of Guyana, especially the working class, the only path to economic emancipation is through greater militancy, even if it means street action until the PPP values their labour. In light of this economic hardship being unleashed on the working class by the PPP, financial prudence is an essential tool for surviving 2014 (spend your money carefully on items that will elevate your health and mental well-being and at places of business that best support your cause).
The year 2014 must be the year that the boldest acts of civil disobedience must manifest themselves, similar to what Gandhi and King promoted: non-violence but firm, resolute, active and peaceful resistance. Change will only come when the people are respected by the PPP and the “biggest budget ever” serves as a policy document that stops this economic marginalization of the working class.
I leave you with the wisdom of Confucius where he states that “To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.” Happy New Year to one and all!
Yours faithfully,
Sasenarine Singh
