Dear Editor,
On December 1, the Stabroek News editorial explained concerns about the most recent scandal involving Guyana’s government. The leader includes calls for answers and investigations into apparent money smuggling on an aircraft. Recently, Dr Clive Thomas urged government to come clean on the Marriott deal. Opposition leaders, civil society groups, individuals, and even international bodies have made similar requests regarding other governmental activities. Questionable mining deals, awards of contracts and licences, granting of concessions, and withdrawals from the treasury have all been subject to such attention. We may soon have to admit though, that those calls are unlikely to be heeded, as they may be based on falsely optimistic premises and assumptions.
Editor, Guyanese may be in a state of denial. Citizens, apparently, still believe that Guyana has a normal government which cares about their interests and concerns. We continue to hope that the regime will heed pleas for transparency, and provide answers to our questions. Appeals for investigations are premised on the assumption that the regime does not already know the details of the shady deals and secret transactions. We may soon have to acknowledge though, that such is not the case. And unless we make that essential cognitive transition and face reality, we will continue to make ineffectual appeals, as we labour under the delusion that our pleas will be heeded.
Editor, I am reminded of a young woman’s account of being raped while on a date with a man. The lady said that although the encounter began pleasantly, the would-be rapist soon began to touch her inappropriately. And although she did not want his advances to continue, she “playfully” pushed away his hands, instead of vigorously fighting him. She said that at that point, she was in denial; she refused to acknowledge that she was being attacked. She related that acknowledging the fact of impending rape was too terrifying to contemplate.
Editor, Guyanese should make the mental transition from a ‘hope of normalcy,’ to the acknowledgment of reality. The PPP regime has abandoned any pretence of democratic governance. Guyana is a country without a functioning parliament. Local government has been subsumed by the executive. The President rules by de facto decree. The PPP is in total control. The situation has changed.
Guyanese may be understandably afraid to acknowledge the fact of their predicament, because to do so would mean facing the terror that comes with vigorously fighting back. Facing reality would require that we put aside decorum and propriety, and engage in a desperate struggle for freedom. Opposition politicians may be reluctant to admit that they should not be in election-campaign mode. Instead, they should be in resistance mode. Political leaders should not be battling to win elections. Rather, they should be fighting for elections. Pro-democracy leaders need to openly face the reality of impending totalitarian dictatorship, and conduct themselves, and lead the people accordingly.
Yours faithfully,
Mark DaCosta