Will Guyanese-Americans remember ‘socialism’ in Guyana and vote McCain-Palin?

Nov 04, 2008 Letters

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Dear Editor,
In December 1974, the late Forbes Burnham launched his now infamous ‘Socialist Revolution’ at Sophia; and by the time he died, in August 1985, Guyanese never wanted to hear — let alone have — anything to do with ‘socialism’, whether cooperative or otherwise.

In fact, as the Guyana economy nosedived, taking the socio-political system down with it, Guyanese started fleeing to other countries, where there was no socialism.

To neighbouring Suriname, Venezuela, and Brazil, to the Caribbean and northern climes like Canada and America Guyanese moved in search of a better life. But if there was one country that most, if not all Guyanese, really wanted to get to, it was America.

And while I have no official figure as to the number of Guyanese residing in America, I would not be surprised if America is home to more Guyanese than all other countries where Guyanese have migrated to live and work.

Socialism was never an issue, let alone a major policy consideration, within America’s body politic. That was until this year!

The US economy took a hard hit in September, and the US Government – both the executive and legislative branches – had to step in and bail out ‘Wall Street’ with almost one trillion dollars in taxpayers’ money, to keep the capitalist system alive.

And with that single move, many observers started making the charge that the US Government, a Republican one at that, was engaging in a socialist practice.

It was an inaccurate charge, because the move was not designed to be permanent, but temporary; yet the word ‘socialism’ found its way in editorials and commentaries in both the print and electronic media.

As Americans get ready to cast their votes in what is shaping up to be a truly historic election, the word ‘socialism’ continues to be heralded in political discussions and debates.

This time around, it is being linked, not to the US Government, but to Senator Barack Obama’s widely panned remarks to ‘Joe the Plumber’ of ‘spreading the wealth’.

His Republican opponent and support groups have also made ‘socialism’ one of the main planks from which to spring attacks on Senator Obama’s ideological policy positions on political and economic issues.

But is Senator Obama really a ‘socialist’? And if so, what kind of ‘socialist’ is he? What about claims that certain programmes being administered at the federal, state and city/county government levels in America are ‘socialist’ in structure?

If we exclude the fact that Cuba’s Fidel Castro chimed in on the US presidential race a year ago by saying that a Hillary Clinton-Barack Obama team would be invincible, and if we exclude the fact that both left-leaning PPP matriarch Janet Jagan and President Bharrat Jagdeo have also come out in support of Senator Obama, it is still difficult to determine whether Senator Obama is liked by some because of his ideology, or by others because of his perceived black race (he actually is bi-racial and not necessarily African-American).

Guyanese-Americans, regardless of race, who are either intrigued by or feel a connection to Senator Obama may be wondering what all this talk about ‘socialism’ in this year’s presidential race means; but especially after having lived through unsuccessful attempts by both the PPP and PNC to introduce the concept into governance in Guyana.

Multiplied thousands of Guyanese who fled Guyana in search of the American dream should know enough by now to conclude that the nightmarish economic news now bearing down on America did not come at the hands of a ‘socialist’ government in Washington, but a reckless one that threw regulations out the window.

And that Senator Obama’s mantra of change seeks to encompass re-introduction of federal regulations over
‘Wall Street’ and ensuring the middle and working classes also enjoy the benefits of business profits the same way CEOs have been doing over the last decade.

It’s shocking and sickening to see CEOs pulling down golden parachutes while their companies go belly up and pension funds dry up.

Senator Obama’s vision really focuses on middle and working class Americans. Unfortunately, it is a vision that is being framed by his opponents as scary old ‘socialism’.

And it is this attempt to scare Americans with the ‘socialism’ reference that may also scare Guyanese-Americans who ran from socialism under the PPP and PNC. Makes one wonder how Guyanese-Americans who are registered to vote will cast their ballots today.

If the Team McCain-Palin and their cohorts can make this ‘socialism’ link stick, I won’t be surprised if some Guyanese-Americans vote McCain-Palin out of fear of living under a socialist government in Washington!
Emile Mervin

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