Dear Editor,
It was President Barack Obama who recently said in relation to Cuba, that what happened over 50 years ago is not relevant to him because he was a kid in short pants, the cold war was ending, and that he’s moving the country along to open the doors for friendship to Cuba. Mr. Obama is the most gifted politician on this planet and his pronouncements have to be taken seriously -the same concept applies to Guyana and things which happened 40-50 years ago are not relevant to the younger generations -rehashing the past will get us no-where. We have to focus on the present, especially for our children and grandchildren, who will indeed inherit the future. Here in Guyana, Mr Jagdeo always talks about occurrences which happened 40-50 years ago and which are really irrelevant to youthful voters who want to fulfill their dreams in the near future- not to fall in behind our former president’s antique race baiting views which could translate into a new title to add to his stellar collection of honorary degrees: “champion of the dirt”.
In the upcoming elections, the voters, especially the youthful voters, have to concentrate on what is in front of them now and what will determine the future, where the only criterion which is important is: change for the better. Harking back to the past will get us no-where and insinuation and assumptions about people’s character or former profession is precisely what the voter should disdain and discern as political folly, not deserving his/her vote. For example, Dr Luncheon recently attacked Mr. Granger for his military service like if serving in the GDF is an act of conspiracy to militarize civic society -sheer nonsense coming from a supposedly educated man who is obviously so accustomed to distorting reality that it’s now second nature for him. I can name in many countries, former military men, who went on to serve their respective countries with honour, among them are such names as George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy of the USA, Winston Churchill of England, Gamal Nasser of Egypt, Charles de Gaulle of France, Rawlings of Ghana and the list can go on.
Young voters have to understand that this election is really in their hands and they have to forget about promises which they can discern as token and just electioneering, and concentrate on the actual reality of their lives.
For example, the PPP is promising to hold local elections when elected but the same promises were made many times already and still, we haven’t had these elections for over 18 years, whereas the coalition opposition says it will, within a year. Who is the voter to believe on this very important issue? The only answer is to examine one’s conscience, intelligence and basic instincts before making a decision which will impact one’s life and most importantly, bring hope to our beautiful country.
As President Barack Obama ushered in a new horizon of hope in America, his watchword has to become our own here in Guyana as we advance to new concepts of change from the old ways and means of getting things done, bringing out the best in ourselves and our nation while making sure that everyone, from the poorest to the richest, gets a slice of the Guyanese pie- Yes, we can!
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi(Joey) Jagan(Jr.)
