Dear Editor,
I must commend the Opposition for thinking of the plight of Guyanese, especially the heavily burdened ones, and introducing something to ease their pain (“Opposition tables motion for $200,000 quarterly cash grant to cushion rising cost of living” KN March 15). The cost of living is killing poor Guyanese, which is what makes this Opposition Motion timely and meaningful. I like the sound of it, but I disagree with it.
Editor, I like the feel of it on the fingers, the rustle of US$1,000 in hand every three months. Though I wholeheartedly agree with any call for some form and level of urgent relief for struggling citizens, I understand fully, though not nearly as much as the man-in-the-street Guyanese, the ferocious effects of rapidly and broadly rising price pressures. I see it, I hear it, and I live amidst it. Something must be done, I can agree with a cash boost of $20,000 monthly using the same age and family criterion that the Opposition employed; but not $200,000 quarterly. We could start an ugly spiral from which there would be difficulty reversing course.
The PPP/C Government has already been splurging numerous billions on pet projects, public works projects, and projects that have no basis, and all at once. Now to attach to that weighty bill, the equivalent of more than three quarters of a million dollars annually for those over 18 years old would represent more than reckless spending habits. Though Guyanese need immediate help, they also know about hardship and thrift and struggle, and they know how to get by in the face of those. I am all for giving a helping hand with cash inside, but not so much and so often. I come back to that $20,000 per month stipend (COLA), call it whatever pleases. I could be persuaded to do as high as $30,000 a month, but no more.
The simple reason is that we can’t afford it when the sum of overall spending is concerned. I have refrained from delving into sophisticated economics concepts, but they do have bases in reality. There is that dreaded ‘I’ word, which introduces a situation of continually chasing our tails and trying to catch up with elusive equity. To conclude, my position is that ordinary Guyanese must benefit from their oil wealth. There is all this runaway spending, but it is highly skewed. I hear the Opposition and I call on the government, find a balance. Give a little something to poorer Guyanese.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall