Latest update December 23rd, 2024 3:40 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Guyana has become dangerously dysfunctional, compared to the society the British left us

May 26, 2013 Letters

 

Dear Editor,
Our nation’s 47th anniversary of independence is no doubt another occasion for our government to utilize cliches in an attempt to hoodwink Guyanese about the source, nature, and extent of our country’s many vexing problems. We will be told everything except that, on careful examination, May 26th, 1966 was the day Guyana was granted its independence to start what can be best described as a fire dance with autocratic rule and democracy. The result has been that our various governments have, for selfish personal and political party reasons, allowed Guyana to become dangerously dysfunctional compared to the society the British left us. Many will disagree with my assessment, but no amount of denial can erase this inconvenient and painful truth.
When our executive president now possesses more power over us than the colonial governor, the Queen, or the British Prime Minister did at the time of our independence,  we know that our society has become dangerously dysfunctional. When the president and his government treat the provisions of our constitution and the binding decisions of our courts as mere inconvenient recommendations or irritable suggestions that must be given less importance than arrogated presidential discretion, we know that our society has become dangerously dysfunctional.
When citizens turn to the police only as a desperate last resort rather than as a preferred first option to deal with crimes committed against them or their property, we know that our nation has become dangerously dysfunctional. When breaking of the law, by government or citizens, is only deterred by consideration of the connections of the targeted person, entity, or property rather than by any consideration of the rule of law, we know that we have become dangerously dysfunctional.
To be frank, Guyana has become like that dysfunctional, decadent, and dangerous village or neighbourhood, where everything seems normal but in which traditional family- or community-building practices have long been supplanted by family- or community-destroying values. Businesses and families, in full imitation of government ministers, now focus on raising their profits and profiles by any means necessary rather than on improving their communities for the good of all. The result has been an alarming descent into numbing decadence that currently seems like the proverbial calm before the destructive storm that will surely come.
Sadly, there are no easily implementable solutions to this state of affairs, primarily because the powerbrokers, who always claim to be working for the people, do not want to compromise for the good of our country. The nation-destroying fight to amass power and privileges for persons and political parties is given more prominence and importance than the voluntary surrendering of some party or personal power and privileges for the good of our country. We have seen this destructive attitude before and, given where we are,  we know where it has led. I hope for a different outcome for our nation. But mere hope has and will never accomplish what narcissistic and vengeful men and women consciously refuse to pursue.
I wish our nation well and urge our powerbrokers to find the courage to voluntarily and bloodlessly reverse course.
Lionel Lowe

 

 

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Renuka, Mandhana consign West Indies to record loss

Renuka, Mandhana consign West Indies to record loss

Dec 23, 2024

(Cricinfo) – After a T20I series that went to the decider, the first of three ODIs between India and West Indies was a thoroughly one-sided fare. The hosts dominated from start to finish...
Read More
GBA confirms additional bouts

GBA confirms additional bouts

Dec 23, 2024

Opinion: Barbados Cricket Faces Crossroads

Opinion: Barbados Cricket Faces Crossroads

Dec 23, 2024

KMTC Boxing Day Horse race meet turning out to be signature year-end event

KMTC Boxing Day Horse race meet turning out to be...

Dec 23, 2024

Candy Boss Invitational 8-A-Side Football Tournament kicks off Boxing Night

Candy Boss Invitational 8-A-Side Football...

Dec 23, 2024

Chase Academy squares off with St Benedict’s College ahead of today’s final

Chase Academy squares off with St Benedict’s...

Dec 22, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]