Personal September memories
For this commentary the definition of corruption will be “morally degenerate” and “a pattern or acceptance and execution of improper, immoral, illegal conduct”.
The caption could have also alluded to why corruption was engendered; How? When? Where? A proper dissertation on this issue would, of course, take many many full pages. So the following personal perspective is to provoke your own thoughts on a very real negative nearly-national behaviour.
Frankly speaking, the non-religious non-moralistic amongst us easily succumb to one element of human nature which apparently compels vulnerable beneficiaries to cheat, to be covert, to scheme, to exploit good order or bad systems for their own or group’s benefit. Of course corrupt practices are often illegal – and criminal!
During my by-gone PNC (People’s National Congress) “days”, during the PNC’s 1980 election campaign the late veteran communicator Vic Forsythe and I had to come up with several campaign publications and guides. One had a title like “Avoiding Corrupt Practices”. Was not that a recognition of a rampant party or national ill? Before and beyond 1980?
I had an idea about the origins, the genesis of corrupt practices in those days. I had a very senior public service position. Many junior employees would routinely pilfer – “take”, steal government typing paper, pens, other small items daily or weekly. They felt that they “deserved” such.
Then, from pilfering to larger real thefts – of fuel, of a tyre, even a typewriter. When seniors aided and abetted, a structured system could develop and corruption at the work-place would be birthed. Why? The facilitators would mention that their monthly “salaries were not enough to maintain them and families”. Good Christian persons thus succumbed to primary corruption. Even as I encouraged them to “leave the low-paying jobs” and not steal. “To do what else?”, they would counter.
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Corruption skills, opportunities “institutionalised”
“C” for corruption; “C” for cancer. Like one of many cancers that wedge themselves in some part of the body to destroy over a period of time, the “cures” for local corruption are slow in being dispensed or in being effective.
The police constable hears of illegal practices sanctioned, permitted at senior levels. So he and his fellow juniors take “a $5000.” As traffic cops, letting the violator go. Skills and larger schemes develop – from driving tests and licences to files disappearing routinely.
But corruption also thrives amongst the private sector entities. Apart from the para-statal GuySuCo, always “ripe” for both crude and sophisticated theft, the business/industrial community offers multiple opportunities for corruption to become a way-of-life, a veritable sub-culture of being part-of-the-job. Every system could “boast” a weakness. Seniors exploit, juniors learn.
A local economist, trained by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), is advising government monitors to look for Exxon-friendly shell companies, created to siphon off even additional millions which should benefit “local content”. I’m too inexperienced to imagine all the corruption which may be easily spawned within this giant lucrative sector. You, dear reader, think of some “opportunities” available.
As I leave you with this thought: Corruption takes hold forever, when the perpetrators – at all levels – don’t even regard corruption for what it is, evil corruption! Poor auditors.
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Burnham’s PPP, Burnham’s PNC – as bully
The young amongst us have to be taught that (i) young “barrister-at-law LFS Burnham returned from Britain and was promptly made chairman of the PPP when it was formed seventy-two (72) years ago (1950). Ashton Chase graciously deferred to the young, scholastic, brash socialist Burnham.
After a short-lived victory in 1953, the PPP split eventually into PPP-Jagan and PPP-Burnham as Forbes’ ambition knew no limits. The new Burnham baby – the People’s National Congress (PNC) – was established and was doomed to electoral defeats due to racial arithmetic. But Colonial Secretary Duncan Sandys ushered in Proportional Representation when counting votes from 1964. Burnham easily ensnared Peter D’Aguiar in a 1964 coalition then booted him away by elections 1968. 1968 – the birth year of electoral rigging ‘til 1985.
I leave these facts, solely from my memory, for those interested to fret over: (i) the PPP’s 1961 tenure was shortened before 1965/66; rigging ruled 1968-1985; 1992: riotous protests as Cheddi Jagan triumphed; 1997: more riots after Janet Jagan won; (I think Hoyte’s forensic audits embarrassed him;) PNC had “stolen” two years of government, 1985 to 1992; PNC protested their every election loss (1992, 1997, 2001 when PPP victory was shortened/vitiated by Judge Claudette Singh; PPP Ramotar’s tenure was again shortened (2011-2015).
The PNC now claims that the opposition PPP rigged the 2020 elections. Tell me comrade Aubrey, what more does your PNC bully want? (Oh! Victory by any means necessary? Naughty!)
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My September to remember…
This is the first offering for brand-new September 2022. Every month means something special to someone. But I personalise some of my Septembers.
I recall first day at school or in a new class a little scared! As a young teacher I then had to welcome the newcomers.
Grandmother told me that September was/is the first “ber” month of four. Start saving for Christmas!
But how can I ever forget the drama of my first daughter’s pre-mature birth? Then more drama as twin girls were later born. All in September.
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Just imagine…
1) Last week Thursday (25th Aug) this newspaper carried my letter of lament regarding Georgetown’s all-round deterioration. Alas! One Quincy Bailey decided that I was partly to blame with some harsh, caustic, personalised rebukes.
Then I was advised against responding to such irrational conclusions. I’ve taken the advice.
2) The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan one year ago resulted with the ministry of Women’s Affairs being replaced with a Ministry of Vice and Virtue!
3) Coming (again) next Friday God Bless America: the security of that blue book.
Til next week!
