Dear Editor,
I read that Guyana is still ranked among “the very corrupt” according to the Transparency Index (SN, December 3). I have had enough of this foolishness; I now part from the pack and the baying critics. For upon reflection I am beginning to see that corruption is good for this country. It encourages productivity, has introduced stability, and has fostered countless innovations. It is now obvious that citizens of this society have benefited, and enormously so.
Corruption induces productivity, removes obstacles, accelerates processes, and incentivizes participants. This is doubly impressive, when the absence of a strong trade union is noted. Corruption frees up important people, who can then concentrate on such vital national sectors as transportation (guess what?), rigging operations (think procurement, not oil), and real estate (asset rehabilitation). These areas have been major contributors to GDP and local growth, while increasing the velocity of money. All of this is wonderful for progress and development, and ought to be recognized for the good done to this country, and duly applauded. How about some national awards? Scores of names come to mind, make that hundreds of the new, new rich burdened with smart fast money.
Meanwhile, the state collects taxes (a pittance, true, but at least declared); businesses experience turnover (or pretend to); goods and services move (where are the buyers?); people have spending power (duly sanitized, of course); and anything and everything (and almost everyone) is for sale and on sale. Regardless, of what that CIA Index says, it is obvious that corruption transforms and elevates Guyana and Guyanese. Look how adaptable and resourceful it has made citizens.
Cerebral magnificence is now part of the glorious revolution brought about by corruption. Men and women have learned to think on their feet and to be ahead of the game. Corruption encourages strategic thinking: keep a regular job as cover; take a mortgage to portray working class struggles; establish a business as front and conduit, and rationalization. The latter provides the answers as to source of funds and lifestyle. Thus, the unfailingly prosperous have readymade, iron clad alibis; cover stories, (or sob stories, if the occasion warrants). These enable the slippery (so they believe) to broadcast how industrious they are, how much sacrifices they make; and how much financial success they enjoy. This is personal propaganda that can rival the combined government media apparatus, while being similarly unconvincing.
The professionals are having a field day, too. Lawyers, who would be routinely disbarred and jailed in other jurisdictions, unveil new tricks and sharper practices daily, and still find time to rush to the bank, thanks to defendants with loads of cash. It is a wonderful time for everyone. The police are right behind: their stories are smoother and tighter these days, and just as incredibly unbelievable. Just listen and absorb the rhetorical spillage. Why bother with police reform when the system is self-healing and self-solving. Clearly, corruption has brought about a degree of versatility and resourcefulness that induces envy, even as it weighs down the banking system.
As for the court system, that is another growth industry; that has grown in solidity, and is a bastion of stratagems, manoeuvres, and advances that are virtually Babylonian in scope. Citizens seeking to get things done know what it takes to get results and from whom. Echoing Gordon Gekko of Wall Street notoriety, “greed is good” and so has corruption been for this country. I say why not more? Why not now? Pharaoh had 7 years of fat; Guyana, thanks to a caring ruling party has had 20 years of bacon and lard – sizzling. Who cares about religion? Show me the one not eating pork and pork products.
Therefore, to state that Guyana is very corrupt misses a whole world of truth. Corruption is to Guyana what oil is to Saudi Arabia: its lifeblood, its very existence. All I can offer to the people behind that diabolical Index is this: get a life!
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
