Dear Editor,
One of the accusations made against APNU/AFC is that if they were to gain power then the country would be plunged back into the abyss of the late 70’s and 80’s – the era of Guylines, Dayclean, mass games, national service and interminable blackouts.
Mr. Granger and his team need to address this frontally. At some point there has to be a mea culpa, and an affirmation that the mistakes and the tragedies of the Burnham era will not be repeated. Perhaps someone should gently note that when the PPP returned to office in 1992 Dr. Jagan, no bleeding-heart capitalist he, did not revert Guyana back to the socialist path but instead kept largely in place all the measures set forth by Mr. Hoyte and the ERP (Economic Recovery Programme).
Further to that, the coalition needs to specifically highlight that they are not in favour of crony capitalism as being presently practised but will instead promote a level playing field where the more efficient and productive businesses will be able to flourish to the benefit of the consumers. There should be no special favours to certain groupings. In particular, foreign companies should be welcomed as long as they play to the same rules as domestic ones. Also to be put on the agenda are a less onerous tax regime, both for businesses and private individuals, and a more independent-minded GRA Commissioner-General. All of this will redound to the credit of the country and hopefully once we can improve our infrastructure especially our energy supply we would be able to attract FDI’s (foreign direct investments) from reputable businesses.
Lastly, and most importantly, is the cruel VAT burden placed upon the average Guyanese household. The opposition needs to emphasise that it is not in the business of doling out handouts to all and sundry, but rather that it is on the side of the average working class Guyanese family who would prefer to have more of its hard-earned dollars in their own hands rather than in those of the government. The current government would state that the opposition would need to increase VAT and income taxes to fund all of their grandiose schemes. There is a simple riposte to that charge – namely that under the opposition coalition there would not be any need to fund mansions, gargantuan pensions, 5-star hotels, failing sugar estates, etc. With all of the savings from the elimination of corruption the money can be returned to its rightful owners, namely the people of the country.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)
