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Stop trivializing the seriousness of democracy, justice and rights

Aug 29, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
I respond to Dr. Randy Persaud’s article captioned, “The PNCR Congress and a note to Mr. L Lewis” (GC, August 13, 2009)
Attempts to trivialize serious issues of democracy, justice and rights will find no ally in me. Dr. Persaud’s first note is built on his understanding of democracy, wherein he involved me for expressing gratitude to those who condemned the government transgression of our rights when they locked us up for speaking out against tyrannical rule.
Responding to the democracy argument he advanced on the premise of Lispet and Lankin (2004) I put forward the 2009 world view of U.S. President Barack Obama. For it is he, as Leader of the Free World, who says that democracy is “about more than just holding elections. It’s also about what happens between elections.” The President warns that even in society that holds elections “repression” takes place. To this end President Obama details repressive characteristics of which Guyana falls in every single category. For easy referencing Obama’s list is reproduced below and local examples cited.
“No country is going to create wealth if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves, or if police can be bought off by drug traffickers.”- The Auditor General Reports continue to produce evidence of corruption, misappropriation and mishandling of the Lotto Fund. Roger Khan admittance to a relationship with the government in which hundreds of young men were murdered, the revelations of government involvement as revealed in the Robert Simels’ trial, and some police employed as hired guns.
“No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 per cent off the top, or the head of the Port Authority is corrupt.”- Guyana has had no major investments since the early 1990s. The Wall Street Journal/Heritage Foundation 2009 Index of Economic Freedom gave Guyana an economic freedom score of 48.4, ranking it 155 of the 183 nations that were surveyed, also citing it as a economically “repressed” nation.
“No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery.” Extra-judicial murders; the torture of Patrick Summer, Alvin Wilson, David Leander, et al; duty free scam at Ministry of Finance and many cases of bribery by government officials and members of the military.
President Obama concludes that the presence of the named characteristics tell us “That is not democracy, that is tyranny.” He goes on to admonish “now is the time for that style of governance to end.”
In keeping with President Obama, Guyana fits the characteristics of a tyrannical society. Persaud, what you failed to say in your response is whether you are solely wedded to Lipset and Lankin’s view of democracy, or you support the view of the Leader of the Free World.
Notice is taken of your thought patterns in both notes (GC 13/8/2009 and KN 22/8/2009). Are you offended by our civility to those who spoke out on our behalf; or upset they did not remain silent or join with the government in the violation of our right? Recognition is also taken of you targeting Kaieteur News and the media to curtail or deny us access to ventilate our views. Already, as taxpayers, our views are circumscribed by Chronicle and other state entities where you have unfettered access to say as you please.
If indeed you believe in a democratic society you need not make any effort to deny freedom of speech but should rather use your influence to make sure Chronicle and other state entities give everyone the same right you enjoy.
Finally, observation is made of your accusation of us breaking the law by picketing. You know there is no law which states that one has to get permission to picket. I consider this mischievous act another attempt by another agent of the administration to deny persons their rights.
Lincoln Lewis

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