Dear Editor,
The elections on May 11 are already underway and the implications for our nation are going to affect our citizens for a long time to come. For me, even though I have welcomed coalition politics and have attended a luncheon with Guyanese business leaders in New York hosting Mr Granger and Mr Nagamootoo, I am still evaluating carefully all the ramifications of this important general election to determine, in my mind as a child of the PPP and knowing that there are still good Guyanese patriots in this post-Jagan party who are constricted and cornered by the autocratic rule of ‘democratic centralism’ – a communist mechanism designed to stifle democracy in that party – how do I bring myself to vote against the PPP? I am sure that by the end of April, I will be much better informed, feel the correct vibes and make a concrete decision as to my vote.
The voters, especially young people, have to examine, very carefully, the pros and cons of where to put their ‘X’, remembering that real change is needed in our country. Change will not come by re-living the past or resurrecting our former leaders. My father, President Cheddi, is no longer with us and no one party/ethnic group can claim his legacy; his honest life and contribution to our country now belongs to all Guyanese, and guess what? That is what Jagan would have desired and all of those who are shouting his name should be silent and quietly fulfil his dreams. President Cheddi is dead and gone and cannot help us now, but he gave us all the tools to help ourselves: Be truthful and don’t ‘thief’; love Guyana more than yourself; political coalition for racial and economic unity; Guyana should be self-sufficient; take care of the poor, the needy, the working classes. Let those political players who admire his good deeds divest themselves of their Rolls Royce (Cadillac) living and consummate a new relationship with the working man and woman to transform our donkey-cart economy into a vibrant Singapore type economic odyssey. Jagan now belongs to the ages! Let the young political cadres take the centre stage for a great future.
Hopefully, this election will bring serious changes, of which the most important should be the commitment by the victors to hand over our future to the young generation. The voters should remember, especially the young ones, that what is important is the future and thus the ramifications of each party’s economic, political and social solutions for our country. Voters have to decide which contestant will solve our growing crime situation, corruption in government, better job and living opportunities with new foreign investment and trade (especially with the USA, Canada and Europe). Voters need to look carefully at who will commit and seek a new and creative approach to our constitutional affairs with the unity of our nation being paramount in all discussions and settlements, and the foremost item on the agenda, the immediate execution of local elections, too long overdue.
All voters, indeed all Guyanese, should demand of their leaders a commitment to lower the value added tax (VAT) which has been highway robbery on the working people of this country, who are already heavily taxed, and at the most, should not exceed 11%, a reasonable but still high tax, but more in line with a standard state tax in the USA, for example.
The voter should not succumb to race-baiting or bad-mouthing politicians and reject any violent acts in order to make this election the most peaceful this country has ever known. But most importantly, on May 11, voters should get up early, get themselves ready for changes long overdue, and then go out to vote with a smile on their faces, purpose in their hearts and peaceful intent in their brains. They should exercise their God-given right of freedom and their individual duty to this beautiful country. No matter what – they should get out and vote!
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr)
