Indecent proposal

Apr 30, 2009 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

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It is a fascinating thought to imagine the inside of the mind of the people who would lead our opposition parties. Every week, every month, the government comes up with a policy decision and/or legislative action that is/are obnoxious, indecent, undemocratic and highly dangerous within the context of the fragility of our political tranquility.
Yet these opposition leaders are quite happy to meet with President Jagdeo and cheer him along. Is the word “stupid” too insulting to use?
Against the background of these constant meetings between President and opposition figures, we have a most indecent proposal that would make Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo live one of the most comfortable lives as a citizen in any part of the world. Even former American Presidents will not receive the entitlements that Mr. Jagdeo’s party is prepared to give him through a law that will be tabled in the Guyana Parliament today.
Before we come to that let us theorise on the reason for the runaway authoritarian train of Mr. Jagdeo. My conceptual understanding of politics is that once a dictatorial regime does not endure opposition energies to its unpopular policies, it drives the psychology of the authoritarian leader to feel that he/she can do can whatever he/she wishes.
Sadly, in Guyana, the level of insults hurled at opposition leaders by the ruling cabal in this country has destroyed both the credibility and image of these political scions. And the insults are accompanied by contempt because of how our so-called saviours in the opposition behave. The list includes Clive Thomas who was zealous in his praise for Mr. Jagdeo’s inclusiveness in dealing with the EPA. Winston Murray stood side by side with his President in denouncing the EPA. Mr. Corbin is forever willing to meet with the President on any topic except democratisation.
The last face-to-face meeting was on climate change. Maybe when Mr. Corbin comes back (hope he recovers quickly), he will meeting with the President on ensuring bicycle riders wear helmets at nights.
Raphael Trotman eagerly responded to a private invitation by Mr. Jagdeo then got a rude awakening. Days later, the President announced that there will be Freedom of Information legislation  and indicated that the government will be drafting its own FIA even though Trotman has a fine FIA ready to be tabled.
Trotman’s FIA is good because it is pulled from other excellent versions from around the world. I wonder after receiving that brush-off, whether Mr. Trotman will accept another envelope from the Office of the President.
So the authoritarian train rolls on. Mr. Jagdeo will be the beneficiary of an unspeakable package of financial and resource entitlements that other retiring Heads do not get. In defending this indecent proposal, the government’s response has more holes that a basket. First, it talks about the goodies the Opposition Leader gets. But the Opposition Leader is a sitting Parliamentarian. He is part of the governing process. If he loses that niche, he loses those benefits.
Mr. Jagdeo wants a phenomenal amount of goodies not while he has two more years in office so he can be relieved on all the financial requirements of being President. Mr. Jagdeo wants this superabundance of goodies after he retires.
Secondly, there are no living former Presidents, except Sam Hinds, and it is not clear if he will receive these state generosities for the short periods he was President. Thirdly, the government admits that these resources are already part of the convention so why legislate them just as the President is about to leave office.
Fourthly, the government took out a full-page advertisement in response to the PNC full-page placement denouncing the intended prodigious awards to Mr. Jagdeo but the government did not deny the claims in the PNC’s critique.
Is it true that the retired President would receive a fleet of vehicles, there being no specified numbers? Is it true he will not have to pay one cent of income tax never mind how long he lives and is working?
Is it true that for the rest of his life all his medical bills will be met by the State? Is it true he will be given any number of household staff he needs for the rest of his life? If these are so then it is not right. It does not happen in any other country. It should not happen in poor Guyana.
All political parties must pledge that if they get into power after the 2011 elections they will repeal this offensive, unbelievable and incredible use of the country’s resources to benefit one citizen who would not have contributed to the financial purse of the state even he works for another thirty years after retirement. This is definitely wrong!

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