An example of nitpicking

May 11, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,

Over the last few days, persons have bombarded the newsprint media, objecting to the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill 2009.

Nothing is wrong with this, since we do live in a democratic country and clearly freedom of the expression exists.

However, it is a sin to exaggerate the specificities of the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill 2009, as an attempt to mislead the public.

The term ‘unlimited’ is being used erroneously by many persons to deliberately exaggerate the benefits of the bill. It must be noted, that the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill 2009, does not comprise of any such word, and I call on these people to get their facts straight before commenting in future.

In addition, this Bill is nothing new; they are the same retirement package received by former presidents in other countries and in Guyana.

The Bill is an attempt to incorporate these benefits into statutory provisions, rather than just relying on custom and practice.

So to overemphasise and bring this Bill to the public as something ‘wrong’ is mischievous and misleading. This is just another example of nitpicking and exercise of petty politics in Guyana.

Elizabeth Daly