Victims of groupthink

Jun 24, 2009 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

I wrote a few columns ago that I intend to answer some of the questions I encounter from my readers. I began that policy with an essay on why Moses Nagamootoo failed to attract support from PPP leaders he would have shared thirty-year relations with.
Quite a large number out there is interested in knowing about the electoral future of the AFC; would Mr. Corbin be the PNC’s presidential candidate; will the Government survive the released confession of Roger Khan; who will be the PPP’s point man in 2011; will the Constitution be changed to give Mr. Jagdeo a third term; will the PPP regain Parliament and the presidency in 2011. There is much more that is on the mind of John/Joan Public Citizen.
I gassed up last Saturday, and at the station the inquiry was made again – who do you think will be the PPP’s presidential candidate in the next election. I will make that curiosity the second article in this new approach of mine. Unfortunately, I will not answer the question.
What I will spend the rest of the space doing is to explain why. I have no intention of writing about who has which quality and who is better than whom inside the PPP. I have no intention of making one candidate look good against another. The reason is that I do not see differences in the political culture of the major contenders. On that basis, I will stay away from the subject.
Every human being has his/her own personality make-up that sets him/her apart from each other. Very few human beings are identical in their character make-up or personality traits. Character is the more important fulcrum to examine when one is assessing the essence of a human being. Personality traits are of secondary importance.
I believe that many PPP leaders have pleasant personality spots that will make you choose them over others. But when it comes to the quality of character, I find all PPP leaders to be seriously brainwashed people who are victims of groupthink. They will sympathize with their maid over her lost gold chain and help her buy it back. But when it comes to ethnic politics, PPP domination, unsavoury use of power, and the backward culture that they have inculcated inside of Freedom House, they are identical people.
A perfect example is Sam Hinds, the Prime Minister. He came from the human rights group, GUARD and was plucked by the PPP into their government. Mr. Hinds is not in the PPP leadership. He is not a key PPP player. Mr. Hinds is someone I know; a very likeable person with an engaging personality.
I have seen no difference whatsoever in Sam Hinds the Prime Minister in the PPP Government and all other PPP policy makers. When it comes to the use of power and the willingness to publicly defend the use of that power, I see no overt or subtle shade of dissimilarity between Sam Hinds, the non-PPP person, and the quintessential PPP leaders.
There is a huge difference in personality though. Mr. Hinds remains one of the most pleasant politicians on the Government bench. He probably will offer you a soda and serve you it himself. But don’t expect dissent from him. Don’t expect any maverick behaviour from him.
Mr. Hinds was happy to publicly defend the preservation of the government’s radio monopoly. Sam Hinds is no John Mc Cain. Speaking about Mc Cain; it should be noted that the heart of the Republican Party was never comfortable with Mc Cain. He was too unpredictably maverick. There is no John Mc Cain inside the PPP.
Three other names come to mind – Leslie Ramsammy, Irfaan Ali of Housing and Dharamkumar Seeraj of the Rice Producers’ Association. Three friendly PPP Parliamentarians that I get along with. But it begins and ends there.
There are custodians of PPP culture as Janet Jagan, Cheddi Jagan, Donald Ramotar, Ralph Ramkarran, Bharrat Jagdeo etc are. Inside their personality is a value that makes you feels comfortable with them. Inside their character flows the political culture of the PPP. And we know what that culture is like.
So this explains why I wouldn’t comment on the next PPP’s presidential candidate. They are identical to each other. None will make a difference in terms of the dilemmas we face as a nation. None will have any interest in emulating Obama; none will see shared governance or inclusive governance as an approach to seriously contemplate; none will overhaul the Constitution; none will depart from traditional PPP culture, traditional PPP way of thinking.
None will show vision that can carry Guyana forward. End of story!

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