Dear Editor,
I commend the editor and contributor(s) of the ongoing series on cost of living. The comments about the effects of rising cost of living are spot on. The poor cannot afford three meals based on their meager income; in fact, many don’t have an income and live on handouts. The middle class are also affected, barely making ends meet. The number one issue since Covid, has been inflation or the continuous rise of prices for basic foods. There has been no let up on price rise. The second issue is corruption. Corruption is linked with inflation.
Inflation has not adversely impacted the wealthy class as they can afford the best meals, clothing, comfort and overall lifestyle. But inflation has had a telling effect on the middle class, the poor, and the downtrodden, the bottom 50% of society. Not many politicians, on both sides of the aisle, display empathy and compassion for the poor. There are few Jaganites around. The closest or among a few still around is the Vice President Jagdeo. He seems to want to control cost of living so as to lift standard of living. He recognizes the political damage of continuing rise in price of foods, housing, and other basics with elections expected before November next year. But controlling inflation in a trade dependent economy tied to global supply chain, like Guyana, is very difficult.
The government must find creative ways to control or bring down prices of basics, subsidize certain basic staple foods like flour (for bread and roti), milk, potatoes, split peas, and others. Farmers must be encouraged to produce more milk and vegetables (greens) so as to bring down prices. Every eligible adult should be offered a job — private sector should be given incentives to hire more workers. Failing implementation of those above and more, the public will continue to complain about the effects of rising prices on their standard of living resulting in serious political fallout.
Sincerely,
Vishnu Bisram
