Months before the 2011 elections, I wrote a very short piece in this column which carried the same caption as the lead today.
Since this is once again another elections campaign “season”, I seek to repeat some sentiments on the very theme. Most briefly.
It’s also my attempt at a practical guide for those voters who go beyond mere blind traditional loyalty when making the eventual choice about individuals and party to elect. So this is really about individuals and their political organisations holding themselves out as the best to manage the country’s resources and your affairs and future, for the next five years.
And it is because too many folks become wedded to a particular group or party for decades that they tend to overlook so many shortcomings, wrongs, human frailties, illegalities and immoralities residing in their sometimes life-long favourites that a fresh perspective and a commonsensical checklist of desirable criteria need to be employed by you who must make considered and sensible choices. If not, your usual “representatives” will view your support as automatic- if not blind allowing them to become selfish sometimes, routinely disconnected, even autocratic. Because, after all, they receive (d) your “mandate”.
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Your choice? Because?
So I repeat my checklist-type of questions and assessments you should employ before committing your constitutional right to install people to govern you. Here goes: how long was the party established? Some are obvious new fly-by-night “baby parties” with the aim to get into Parliament for all the goodies that assembly can offer. A few others may genuinely wish to exercise some watchdog “balance of power”.
What is the grounding, the philosophy and ideology of the Party? Just why did it come into being in the first place? You must be convinced of its mission to manage the country on your behalf; its national, collective patriotism! Always recall the group’s track record, positions on significant issues, its reputation and actual delivery beyond usual talks, fancy rhetoric, appeals and promises.
Naturally, after policy, programme and principle you have to consider just who are implementing or will implement all that is promised. Since there is no standard examination or qualification, except Party Leaders’ choice, to enter Parliament or to become government Minister, you the “elector” should consider your potential representatives’ background, qualifications, experience in specific areas, displays of morality and relationship to others. Try hard to predict what authority and/or real power can do to an individual. I conclude, for now, with what I wrote five years ago.
Parliament – Perquisites
“Perquisite” – casual profit; that coming to the Lord of the manor, beyond regular revenues: customary right or gratuity. “Perk” is a shortened form of perquisite. And perks, these days, can mean the actual benefits of office as well as the un–official, private rewards or inducements some holders of high office manage to attract. Or invite.
Those of you who will vote must look your candidates in the eye and ask: what different they’ll do, how better; and how their programme will benefit your street, village, community, town or workplace. Ask them just how they will inspire you and your community to recapture civic pride, the spirit of self–help and love of country before – you migrate; your very willingness to contribute.
Find out how much a Member of Parliament earns. It is public knowledge which you are entitled to know. Consider side benefits. Study “the politics of perks” and self–aggrandisement among your 2011 candidates. Just the other day the Roop Group politician – one who is not needy – declared that “working for a few seats in parliament is not my idea of changing Guyana…” I agree. But tell that to our selfish politicians of perks.
So choose well; vote wisely. It’s your future. Beyond the election’s five years.
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Who gave them?
Who allegedly gave Dhanshand 90 pounds of cocaine to export? Who allegedly gave Homer his kilos to take to New York?
This newspaper reported – on March 18 and March 21 – on two other “cocaine busts”. Homer Bowen was caught by the Americans at JFK Airport as usual. Interestingly however, Dhanshand Balram was arrested at Timehri. For once!
Hours before he was held in New York, Homer had invoked God’s assistance via his Facebook page. Obviously God did not respond.
As usual, my query, our national concern should be: who gave these fellows the processed cocaine? Where does this bulk narcotic come from, into our Guyana?
Okay, I too can attempt some informed speculation as to the origins of the drug and how it gets into our once–innocent land. But how I long for definitive explanations from government and Police. Now allow me to wildly hope!
I will welcome a change of administration in May, after decades. I hope that a Granger Government, supported as it could be, by knowledgeable, experienced soldiers (former/ current), police, specialist investigators, border patrol and honest narcotics types – and clean “executives”, will go flat out to minimize or eradicate this scourge.
Do we not deserve a country that diminishes gun crimes, safe gold fields (that are now killing – fields)? And to feel a little safer even as we know gunmen and assassins are walking free amongst us?
Ponder until…
- I agree: GECOM and the contesting political parties must consider, even pre–empt what can go wrong on polling day – in which Districts and Divisions and at which polling stations. Observers must find their way to those places. Early!
- Congratulations are in order for the National Guyana Teams in rugby, basketball and cricket.
Til next week!
(Comment? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
