I concede that the following will be mere, not-too-structured ramblings. More of a “free-flow” as the thoughts that were influenced pour out. And yes, they were provoked mainly by the outpourings consequent upon Mr Jagdeo’s ethnic-oriented remarks in the USA recently.
First follow me with these idealistic views: (i) In most societies – authoritarian or democratic, especially democratic – there are always politicians, potential leaders, professionals and actual (elected or appointed) leaders who all possess an abundance of intellect, skills and experience that could be put into the service of their nations; (ii) at election periods and beyond, all of the (genuine) contestants outline and promise (to implement) what will result in their people’s continuous well-being – from good health to jobs to education, in fact, the good life; (iii) but after the elections too often, if not all the time, the “losers” withdraw the offer, the promise, the delivery of those talents. Why?
Frankly Speaking, too many political contenders want the authority and power first, before the service is made available to their country. Put another way, they will offer their brains, skills and human, professional resources only from a position of governmental/legislative power! How sad and selfish. True, genuine leaders must be rewarded but should also be selfless. I guess that is idealistic – too much to ask or require these days.
It’s a pity (to me) that the world over, those who lose at elections are either side-lined, ignored or themselves become selfish. Some, in order to survive, offer services and leadership from a private perspective. Still good. They say that to harness, to access both “winners and losers” skills and dedication there must be “shared governance”, “national unity governments”. The assumption here is that agreements/compacts will results in the wedding or fusion of differing personal modes of government; in compromising different ideologies; in producing a collective “national” approach to governing people and institutions and equitable management and distribution of national resources. It would be instructive for researchers to reveal where “unity governments” are working successfully and peacefully and just how monitoring, scrutiny and oversight are done.
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Opposition – Guyana style
Constitutions, fashioned by legal minds after (hopefully) consultations with citizens, research into local and foreign cultures and other states “supreme laws”, are nations’ legal guidelines for their existence.
Though constitutional reform is even now on-going, most of us agree that we have a pretty decent document right now. (Excesses will be modified, “reformed” or discarded.) But like the hopes of many of us, the constitution is, largely, an ideal.
Our Parliamentary Opposition is right now accusing the government of “dismantling the constitution and the rule of law”. Of course, our formal opposition accuses this 15-month administration of every sin they committed for decades. Is that their only role? I recall that, in my youth, the parliamentary opposition was a loyal opposition according to the British Westminster model of government we inherited. No more so in the 50-year old Independent Republic.
Today’s Guyana Government attracts a wide array of opposition and monitors. Prescribed and protected by the Guyana constitution. There is a parliamentary/political opposition – the main one being the PPP/C; (there are a few “baby political parties” not accommodated in the Coalition); there are numerous pressure groups – anti-government trade unions and rights activists and organisations, along with opposition-friendly media outlets and neutral, ethnic-/rights–specific bodies.
Unfortunately, the main opposition, obviously traumatised over its loss of power and wealth-friendly status, utilises Cheddi Jagan’s one-time mantra: “Oppose, expose, depose” with its ambition really residing in the latter word. Private sector/business organisations often come across as “opposition” when they aggressively oppose/reject some government policy or budgetary measure. Do we here have any underground opposition entities funded from overseas principals? You tell me.
There is freedom of expression embedded into our constitutional rights. But the attorney-general should still advise when that constitutional right is raped by those uttering expressions to promote racial incitement and division, treason and criminal violence.
My final rambling – and recommendations: I note that some “AFC/WPA ministers” have gone politically silent and exclusively professional. Perhaps that is as it should be. But yet I wonder. How I’d love to hear more from – for example – Dr Rupert on the status of things in general – inclusive of political “correctness” (?) Just once a quarter, Doc?
I suggest to government and Speaker: Allow all Parliamentary oversight committees to function full time. Create some new Bi-Partisan Group to include Civil Society to observe appointments in government agencies and to monitor local government communities and their development.
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Ole-time Augusts
No darn “S” word for my July-August months. Every year at this time I recall my long school holidays. And the recollections of the late Charles De Florimonte and Godfrey Chin.
I would think of Septembers’ new class, new shoes and books and new teachers. The “treats” or outings out-of-town; the “Country- come- to town” cousins and friends in the city visiting for the first time; train rides; simple toys and physical games – cock-fights, Jumming, Cush, P-put, slingshots, bush-cooks, raiding trees through alleyways, fishing and swimming – poor people style.
Bigger folks had extra dances, “excursions”, picnics, trips to Suriname and the Caribbean. No TV, Cell Phones, Computers, Tablets, Internet, Daily Crime but so much more neighbourly love.
Mankind cannot reject scientific advances and modernity. After all he is the architect of all such. Enter today’s Dot.com generation. And ISIS terrorism. More crime.
When you are past sixty, seventy, you long for aspects of the forties to seventies. Poor us.
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Ponder…
Just once-a-month, my school-mate C. Rohee: offer Cheddi’s critical support.
Should “Indian” Rights Organisations be invited to attend all those Emancipation lectures planned?
They are not “closed-door”, are they?
Acquire the abandoned Co-op Bank Building and convert it into a modern Vendors Arcade.
’Til Next Week
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
