Guyanese want change in a meaningful way

Sep 19, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
This government should be ashamed of itself in it’s lethargy in dealing with black-outs, garbage polluting our only city, crime out of control and the cost of living spiraling out of reach of the working people.
There is a point, where, not too long in the future, the working poor will collectively say to themselves, we have had enough of the incompetence, high-handedness and intolerance of this government and move to change Guyana for the better.
All over this country, the people are longing for real changes in the way things are in their lives – basically working for pittances whether one is a sugar worker or a civil servant; unable to make ends meet for the betterment of their children; afraid to leave their homes after dark due to increasing and brutal criminal activities; encumbered by outmoded regulations and laws which leave them helpless at the hands of the ruling politicians; seeing their communities devastated by emigration, corrupt local authority and a central government which just does not care enough; wishing for the day when a true unity can prevail in our country which is the real catalyst for a better future.
That day of reckoning where the people of Guyana can throw off the shackles of this government is the day of the next general elections in 2011. The voters of this country want change in a meaningful way with new methods of governance which will involve them in almost every aspect of their lives to create a future of equal opportunity, justice and harmony throughout our dear country.
But the changes which the voters would like to see can only start within the opposition forces by a coalition of all the opposition into one “big tent” with a strong team of educated and experienced, but dedicated individuals with a presidential selection process which is open and transparent for all the voters to see.
Everywhere in the world, the voters of many countries are supporting coalitions in order to effect real changes. Look at Germany where many believed that Chancellor Markel would have failed to be elected and even if she did, there were many who thought that she would be ineffective; in fact the coalition which brought her to power is serving the German people well and that country is moving ahead with real changes taking place.
Many will try to explain the strength of the PPP by attributing it solely to the so-called racial voting patterns of the East Indians and these ”political analysts” and “experts” have got it all wrong.
The Indo-Guyanese, especially the youth, long for serious changes in their lives and to secure a better future, but the factionalism in the opposition where at election time it’s like a free-for-all where everyone’s shouting but no-one is listening – results in victories for the ruling party with their cohesive approach to electioneering.
Without this cohesive approach to the next general election, the PPP will be returned to power and the opposition will be again ineffectual, feeble and unable to even protect the citizens from the legislative and executive charades we have become accustomed to in the last dozen years.
The Guyanese voter is not stupid and cherishes the right to go out and vote on election day. Change came to America, Barbados, Jamaica and Belize without any protests, street demonstrations or violent upsurges. On election day in those countries, the voters said to themselves collectively: “we need to change this government” and the rest is now history. In each of these countries the cohesive and vibrant approach of the opposition to the elections resulted in the ruling party’s demise. Guyana is no different because at the next general election, the PPP will have been in power for 19 years with an overall dismal record of governance.
In 2011, if the opposition forces can become cohesive and unite for real change, then the present administration will be in a fight for their political life and will eventually lose the election decisively.
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr)

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