Our political parties must watch and learn from their US counterparts

Nov 13, 2008 Letters

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Dear Editor,
We in Guyana here certainly have much to learn from the electorate and current and future governments in the United States.

Certainly, Americans united and in unison expressed that desire to effect change in the government. Race, age and experience proved to be no barrier in that they chose a black and very young man with little but strong experience in government.

The world, today, though overjoyed, is also very proud of Americans and the maturity that they have exhibited through last week’s elections.

Many have arrived at the conclusion that similar change can be arrived at here in Guyana come 2011 at the next elections.

But deep down, I still believe that the words “Yes we can” can only work in America. You see, the Americans’ mentalities are ones purely different from Guyanese. There, they know no black man or white man but the American man.

And so, we in Guyana must not only celebrate because a black man is in the White House. Our celebration should not end. We have to celebrate the fact that the world now sees America turning over a new leaf.

The world will look at America with new eyes. Sometimes, though, I believe the world expects too much from President-elect Barack Obama.

Finally, there is a historic transition happening right now in the U.S. — the transition of power from one party to the next. The last transition like this took place as President Bill Clinton handed power over to George Bush.

Now, this transition is happening at a more rapid speed as America buries its head in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

President- elect Obama has no time to bask in his big sweep at the elections but he has been meeting over the past days with his advisors and most notably with the transition team which was put in place earlier this year.

He is also meeting with President Bush. And that is what I think our politicians in Guyana need to take high note of.

Last Monday, he did meet with Bush and stepped for the first time in the Oval Office. First Lady Laura Bush gave the incoming First Lady a tour of the White House.

This comes after months of a heated, harsh and attack-filled campaign between Barack Obama and George Bush.

But, as expected, they have put their differences aside towards the best interest of their country.
President Bush has publicly vowed to provide the smooth — the best transition of power to Mr. Obama.

They met, they talked, and they exchanged greetings and put the American people before any other thing. What true models to follow here in Guyana.

We must not forget Senator John Mc Cain’s speech as well. He gracefully congratulated his opponent who had won the presidency and vowed to work with him and his government whole heartedly to put America first.

How Mr. Obama praised Senator Mc Cain in his acceptance victory speech that night. “Senator McCain fought long and hard in this campaign.

And he’s fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine.

We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him; I congratulate Governor Palin for all that they’ve achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.”

Though George Bush would go down as the least popular president in American history, according to a CNN survey, he is gracefully bowing out and allowing all the fame and spotlight to fall on his future predecessor Mr. Barack Obama.

When can our leaders, both those in government and in opposition, put Guyana first instead of their selfish ambitions?

When will the PNC and PPP stop the tit-for-tat politicking and attacks they so constantly throw on each other? Now it seems like AFC has joined the bandwagon.

I think the words of Senator Mc Cain’s speech echo the answer and solution to the bickering between our major opposition parties and that is love. Senator Mc Cain said, “…congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.”

The Democrats and Republicans work so much together sometimes that it’s hard to believe they are on opposing sides of the aisle.

I urge you to read the full texts of the speeches of President-elect Obama and Senator Mc Cain and every speech of past winners and losers of U.S. elections.

In every speech, one thing is very evident and that is the immense love they have for their country; a love that will motivate them to work with each other for the common good. And that is the secret ingredient to every American success.

I tell you, that picture of the current and future Presidents and First Ladies on Monday at the White House is one that we would never see with our local leaders.
Watch and learn PPP, PNCR and AFC.
Leon Jameson Suseran

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