No government is perfect

Aug 10, 2009 Letters

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Dear Editor,

I have expressed both criticisms and praise for the PPP and its government over the past couple of years. But had I been living 28 years ago, I could only have dished out the former.

I would not have lived another day if I had openly bad mouthed the PNC administration especially in the newspapers. Freddie Kissoon ought to know fully well what I am talking about. He lived through the PNC years; I did not. Burnham, as Kissoon pointed out the other day, tried to get to his family (if that is true), but could Kissoon have uttered one word of disgust in the media in those days?

I tell you, we have an insurmountable space of freedom of expression in Guyana today. I can say what I want to say, and so can Mr. Kissoon — once what we say is nothing inflammatory, inciting or provocative. Then, the government reaches for their lawyers and counteracts. I repeat again, this government would do anything to protect its interest.

But which government wouldn’t? The PPP government is a very stubborn government. They cave under no pressure. No amount of protests, fiery interviews, speeches, opposition walkouts and criticising newspaper headlines involving them could urge them to change. But a government must stand resolute.

I still maintain, unapologetically, the PPP remains the best of the worst of all political philosophies in Guyana. And I would never wish that political power is once again handed over to the PNC.

The AFC stands no chance. As far as I am concerned, they are just a voice crying in the wilderness. No one is listening to them. The minute power is handed back to the PNC is the time to run — and I mean sprint out of Guyana for good. It would not be a good picture. Payback would be in order — big time! Revenge — political, psychological, even spiritual revenge would run amuck in dear land of Guyana.

Guyana would sink into deeper despair and despondency. The PNC just cannot lead. And it has nothing to do with race. Mr. Kissoon is forcing me to say this: time and time again, elections after election, more Afro-Guyanese have voted for the PPP than East Indians for the PNC. Those facts can be verified by the Elections Commissions.

Mr. Kissoon (with regards to his column Saturday, 8 August), I would reiterate my point and stand hard by it. No other political party can run Guyana. No, it is not their birthright to do so, but a force that fought long and hard during the darkest days this land has ever known, so they have come a long way – experience being their major asset.

Yes, no political party is 100% corruption free. Just look at the shame and embarrassment this government is causing Guyanese with regards to the court case which is going on in New York. And they are pretty much shying away from the matter, while the media is having a frenzy covering it from their own angles. However, unless a person has a severe case of amnesia, we are a 1000% better than where we were prior to 1992.

Yes, the people (like me) quarrel from time to time about blackouts, high cost of living (that is a worldwide problem), etc. etc. but overall, the government has delivered and keeps delivering. No government is perfect. And that is where an open and free democracy comes in; where you and I can speak our minds without fear of being victimized and silenced — even mortally as was in the case prior to 1992.

Mr. Kissoon, your analogy is a sober one; however, the PPP took over Guyana on October of 1992 while we were below the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean floor.

Today we may still be at the bottom under the rule of the PPP, but slowly but surely, we are moving up. No democracy was built overnight. Any more delay to free and fair elections in 1992 would’ve had us as a nation finding oil at the floor bottom of the great Atlantic, Mr. Kissoon.

Neither the PPP nor the AFC have this country’s best interest at heart. Does the PPP? Well let their actions over the past 15 years answer that question. The PNC’s immaturity and disrespect for the Parliament of this nation (on more than one occasion) must not be forgotten.

How can we trust and support such actions? They behave like little children. If nothing is going their way, they throw temper tantrums, vilify the government and segregate themselves from the others.

As far as I see it, there is little or no hope for the PNC as a political group in Guyana. They have outlived their credibility and Guyanese can no longer trust them.

There are many good Guyanese in the PNC today without a doubt; those who are willing to serve this nation to the best of their ability. However, the PNC, I still am convinced is a party where old habits die very hard, and they are bound to make Guyanese, regardless of ethnic background, suffer extremely if they ever take office again.

Guyanese like Freddie Kissoon, must become humble enough to admit that. Let any without sin cast the first stone, sir. The PNC had their chance. Let the PPP do what they have to do. Mistakes are not desirable, but they happen.

The president needs to get rid of many of those who are working for him. It is no surprise that he is more popular than his officers.

Progress (under the PPP) has certainly bred enemies in the likes of the PNC and now AFC. And, Mr. Kissoon, if any is guilty of masochism in this country; it is the PNC and their conglomerates.

University economist or not, rich or poor, educated or uneducated, any rational thinking person would tell you so.

The people have spoken, Freddie; and the PNC clan must be ‘peeing’ their pants with the feedback trends of the latest polling of Guyanese on the next election and other political issues.

Leon J. Suseran

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