I actually missed the news item on Gecom and campaign funding which one friend mentioned. I wouldn’t bother with any “second–hand” report but in doing some peripheral research for a Civil Society group I came upon a brief item about our Parliamentary Opposition Leader commenting on issues related to electoral campaigns and their funding. Hence these fleeting thoughts on the topic.
I could have never imagined, two decades ago, that I would have become almost totally disillusioned with elections and voting after I passed the age of sixty. After all, I was something of a political player for the People’s National Congress (PNC) amongst my other, more “creative” and professional pursuits. I actually headed the Party’s Public Relations/Elections Campaign Education outfits for three elections from 1980. Those three electoral events were master classes in Persuasion and Propaganda for me. I believed in the PNC’s purpose then and still value the experience gained.
Elections are still a bedrock of any functioning democracy. I understand their function. Through elections citizens express their will. The electorate make choices they hope will manage the country’s resources and their very lives for defined periods. Sadly for me perhaps, I have little faith or confidence in the choices available to me here. But even though voters are frequently faced with “the–best–of–the–bad–lot” choices, I’ll still urge the young to choose and to vote, after listening to candidates holding themselves out as servants to be put in positions of trust. Incidentally for us who don’t vote including the thousands and thousands of under–18 citizens and Jehovah Witnesses – our constitution directs that we too must be governed properly and provided for.
Who funds the campaigns?
Barack Obama in 2007/2008 had to be America’s “poorest” Presidential Candidate. He had humble fund–raisers and loyal supporters who trooped door–to–door for his Campaign.
Back home here, I smile when I see the larger Parties holding Barbecues and other fund–raising events. The little fund–raisers are not to be dismissed but we all know that there are real bigger players with deep pockets who ensure that campaigns are well-funded. Resources such as equipment, aeroplane flights, other transportation, food and accommodation are provided by Private Sector loyalists.
I suppose it still occurs, but in my time some real big businessmen contributed to both the Ruling Party’s campaign and the Opposition Leader, the latter very quietly. After all, if the opposition should win, the businessman would be in the new government’s good books. But the retired Brigadier has other serious concerns about how some parties’ campaigns are funded.
Speaking at a forum in Barbados recently Mr. Granger called for emphasis to be placed on “strengthening representation of citizens rather than regulation of political parties”. He charged political systems to reinforce Civil Society’s role and freedoms as provided for in Caribbean Constitutions.
He then told the forum, organised by the OAS and the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, that in Guyana the governing Party’s control and abuse of the State media, access to transportation assets to travel to the hinterland, excessive powers of the Head of State in the presidential–parliamentary system and the risk of contamination of the political process by ‘dirty money’ from the drug trade needed to be addressed.
“Dirty Money”? Well whose Party stands to benefit from funding derived from illegal pursuits? You decide. The incumbents in government always use their (legitimate) positions to good advantage during political campaigns. It’s tough to separate or distinguish the minister from the crusading, campaigning candidate. We are bound to return to this issue in the very near future.’ `Til then think about the various “washing machines” used to make dirty money “clean”.
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CDE Komal: Principle before Party?
So the country’s President- who served as a director on the board of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) for years – has invited the head of the “Sugar Union” GAWU, Comrade Komal Chand, to join the same GUYSUCO Board. What are the implications here?
Frankly Speaking, I’ve had no serious scruples or problems with trade unionists being “Party Men” or being in Parliament. There are times when they could “rescue” themselves from their parties’ positions, if those positions are in conflict with their responsibilities with respect to their Union members’ welfare. Always, they must use their positions of influence to the benefit of the workers they represent.
From the British Labour Party in their House to numerous earlier West Indian politicians, unionists were legislators and later political players- even leaders.
But should the GAWU President join that massive, beleaguered Board of Directors that is GUYSUCO? Even if it is to be a brand new board? The little I know of Chand tends to place him as a faithful Party Man, but with some principle. He was a Jagan man but never a “Jagdeo fellow”.
I suspect that even if Komal considers it appropriate, advantageous (?) to have union representation on that Board, there will be a few sensitive considerations. First of all the union should consider its appointee to any Board. Not the President! The Union, I expect would also have to consult its significant varied membership. Chand has hinted that GAWU would be interested in examining the Board’s financial dealings and status minutely as it can’t now shy away from its sustained position that Board-level Mismanagement has plunged the Sugar industry into its current crisis.
So President Chand will have to demonstrate principles worthy of a genuine Union leader. The sugar workers are waiting and watching! More later.
Please Ponder….
.1) Is there real reason to hope for twenty first–century progress in Guyana before 2016’s fiftieth Independence Anniversary? More next week.
.2) Greedy corrupt leaders won’t mind if hopelessness and frustration drive thousands of decent Guyanese overseas. The avaricious know that the gold, timber, diamond, fish, sugar, rice, rivers and other precious resources won’t migrate. Everything will be left for them, they feel.
.3) Who elected Mr. Brassington to make these huge financial “investments” in our name?
.4) On my Guyana Cook-up Show television feature, I’m on record as promising that if I ever win a fabulous lottery game, I would send Candace Field, Jackie Hanover and Lisa Punch to Los Angeles, New York or Motown to become singing stars.
Lisa’s Grannie did not wait on my win! Congrats to Miss Punch. Who sings “At last” better? Lisa or Jackie?
Til next week!
(allanafenty@yahoo.com)
