Eyes on Our Nation – Help

Aug 24, 2008 Features / Columnists

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“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same

level of thinking we were at when we created them” – Albert

Einstein

Peter R. Ramsaroop, MBA
Chairman, Vision Guyana

INTRODUCTION

Our nation faces significant tectonic forces that will shift the plates that can cause major eruptions, but may also create a new land that offers peace, security and economic prosperity.

Even as we celebrate the Carifesta activities, the eyes of the leaders from our neighbouring lands need to pay attention to the suffering of our people, the control by the state on the media, the stagnant economic system, the burdensome tax on our people, and the suffering of the poor.

It is easy to celebrate our culture and to enjoy it, but when it is all over the reality sinks in again on what “We Guyana” face as a nation.

THE TECTONIC PLATES:

1. The tectonic plates include the failing economy that is being held up by remittances (43% of GDP) and underground money.

A few years ago, the then Minister of Home Affairs said to boycott certain businesses that were linked to drugs and money laundering, but we do not hear these types of calls anymore.

She was replaced right after she said that. Other components of our failing economy are the well-advertised sugar industry woes and a lack of a plan for diversification for ethanol production. This tectonic plate must not be allowed to shift any further.

It seems like public officials are more concerned about shutting down media and taking part in celebrations, than facing the fact that our citizens are suffering around them.

A citizen of our nation has about $53.00 (US .27cents) out of every taxable $100.00 (US. 50cents) to spend to upkeep their family. With the rising cost of living, one would have thought, that after the government collected 75% more taxes than they estimated that they would have given us back some. They kept it all for themselves, with billions now unaccounted for, according to the Auditor General’s Report.

2. Another tectonic plate includes the undemocratic political system. We all have witnessed the dictatorial actions by this government in the distribution of funds.

The removal of the subvention of Critchlow Labour College was a discriminatory act. Other components causing this plate to be unstable are the ideology of fragmentation, lawlessness, migration, extreme forces including the unsolved death squad murders, massacre killings and the disrespect for electoral democracy by disallowing the free media by their control of the radio frequency and the shutting down of television stations. For a country the size of Guyana not to have a single privatised radio station is despicable.

3. The 2006 tectonic plate of Voters’ Registration has not changed. The 2008 controversy of funds for opposition parties, specifically the AFC, to monitor the registration process was never resolved.

The elections commission has ignored the many contentious issues presented, allowed politically driven decision-making, shown administrative incompetence, operational impasse and where the system and technology infrastructure are suspect.

The shift, now that there are questions about the list, will continue to linger. No one came to my residence to register me, so my name is not on the new list.

4. The other tectonic plate that has already shifted so far that the eruption is at boiling point is the poor governance we have had over the decade.

Economic stagnation, social and racial fragmentation, widespread corruption, cultural segmentation, racial marginalization, political fragmentation has put our nation at the bottom of the list of corrupt nations.

The alignment to anti-west countries, the inability to embrace free enterprise ideology and the corruption index adds to the erupting point of this government.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

– A culture that promotes confrontation versus compromise and consensus
– A conscious decision by the ruling party to rule “Alone”
– A large segment of our population is no longer willing to be ruled by a “Racist” (perceived or real) government

Other areas include disappearance of our tax money, concessions to some but not to others, the ethnic voting patterns, Indian superiority at polls, one-dimensional democracy, racial patronage, no hope for inclusive governance, victimization of civil society and the business community, and a failed parliamentary process.

We must educate ourselves in order to understand the chaos and must be part of the solution for a better nation. Guyana’s problems are many and complex.

Even seemingly straightforward concerns begin to seem intractable when politics become involved. Guyana needs goodwill, good laws, good men and women, and good resolve.

The next chart compares the losing solution to the winning solution. Note: a Government of National Character is our only hope.

SOLVING OUR PROBLEMS:
Most of all, we need to work together to truly solve our problems and replace the rule of moral chaos with that of order and direction. It is easy to propose laws.

Sometimes it is easy to pass laws. But the measure of our seriousness is enforcing the law. This is where Guyana’s severe lack of strong and bold leadership becomes obvious.

Our hope does not lie in the reliance on status quo leaders who curtsy to the whims of the elite. We need leaders who have the internal fortitude to turn away from the temptations of power.

We need leaders who seek national interests over personal interests. We need bold leaders who govern with compassion and wisdom. Guyana is ready for strong leadership. Are We?

CONCLUSION:
With hope as its rallying point, “We Guyana” could rise above the petty differences and terminal weaknesses that have kept us divided and, consequently, rendered us perpetually incapable of achieving change.

If we refuse to succumb to the chaos, and instead allow hope to rule our actions, perhaps we will find the courage to proudly declare with a clear conscience and sincere heartfelt conviction that we are just simply “We Guyana”. This is our desire. This is our dream.

Why should our taxes and the fees (bribes) required by the lords of Guyana build mansions for the “royalty” while the rest of the country lives in squalor?

Our future should not be at their mercy. In fact, their future is in our hands and it is time to turn the tables of power in our nation.

Down with corruption! Let the people unite with hope as their beacon. Let us march as One People – to the beat of unity – and proclaim a new era of progress and prosperity for Guyana.

We must take charge. We can change our nation together, we can see prosperity, it is our dream, it is our wish, and it is our “RIGHT”.

Peter.ramsaroop@gmail.com www.visionguyana.com

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