Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

In Animal Farm terminology some pigs are more equal than others

Feb 19, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
George Orwell in his book Animal Farm, highlighted many of the tactics despotic leaders use to manipulate a people in order to gain control and remain in power. These are not new tactics though; they have been employed throughout human history.
We in the Alliance for Change (AFC) recognise how hard it is for the Guyanese people to defend themselves against these tactics. Many times they are not obvious such as the PPP mantra of “a vote against the PPP is a vote for the PNC”.
This is clearly a racist message aimed at dividing the people against one another, purely on racial grounds. This stratification of the people by the PNC and the PPP into racial camps makes it easy for them, to hide their real intent, hegemonic power over the people at the expense of their inherent and inalienable freedom. That is why the Presidential Candidate of the AFC Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan is preaching on a daily basis both in Guyana and overseas the message of “do not fear, do not hate, and do not judge a man by the colour of his skin or the texture of his hair”.
On September 26, 2006, this is what President Jagdeo said to the Ninth Parliament:
“Mr. Speaker, in the next five years, my Government will work towards the political, economic and social transformation of our country in which all our people will have equal access to the resources and benefits from economic development and improved social conditions.”
So how come, five years after, the people of Dazzel Scheme on the East Coast, who have lived in that area for many years, have to wait another 12 months for water and other basic infrastructure. On the other hand the so-called ‘Champion’ has not even moved into Pradoville 2 and he already has water and other basic infrastructure?
How come some can get a guarantee non-competitive, non-transparent contract with the Jagdeo regime for billions of dollars and Gerhard Ramsaroop, a small businessman is fighting for his economic life because he is an AFC member and the ‘Champion’ wants to penalize him for being an AFC member?
How come a Minister can knock down a motor cyclist and pull a gun on a youth and get off, but a ‘Rastaman’ with his ‘splif’ gets jailed for 18 months because the police turned up when he is consuming his stuff. I am not advocating ‘splif’ smoking, but I am just showing how the system works against some and for others.
It is unfortunate that in the last five years none of these commitments from the President were delivered. What is even more dangerous is this Jagdeo regime continues to alter the game rules as it fails the people in its promise. In Animal Farm terminology, some pigs are more equal than others and this has allowed the Jagdeo regime to move away from the Jagan ideals.
This is what Dr. Cheddi Jagan did in 1992.
1. He was focused on looking at the working people needs. One of his first acts was to orchestrate a reduction of the rice and flour prices. In 2011, the inheritors of power are lording over the highest food prices ever experienced by the working people.
2. He was not only focused on economic growth but human development. Today the PPP is all focused on the biggest budget ever to feed the exponential appetite of the business buddies of the regime and their political handlers. There is little room today in the Jagdeo regime for human development – see what is happening in sugar, bauxite, oppression against the youths.
3. Dr Jagan was all about being lean and clean to stop the financial extravagance and corruption in the Government. Just read the Auditor General’s Report and the Independent media and you will find New Garden Street driving a Cadillac styled way of life for their friends and family, while the rest of the nation lives in a donkey cart society.
With such facts at the disposal of the reading public, we in the AFC encourage you to stop fearing the PNC and PPP and vote for change. This year is your time to tell the oppressors enough is enough.
Sixtus Edwards
General Secretary, AFC

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega Auction; Shepherd, Powell snapped up by RCB and KKR, respectively

Rutherford gets big payday from Gujarat Titans at IPL 2025 Mega...

Nov 26, 2024

  SportsMax – Guyanese hard-hitting left hander Sherfane Rutherford will get the opportunity to shine on T20 franchise cricket’s biggest stage once again after being picked up by the...
Read More
Roach and Seales star as West Indies close in on Antigua Test victory

Roach and Seales star as West Indies close in on...

Nov 26, 2024

Delroy Tyrrell continues to excel at Oneonta State University

Delroy Tyrrell continues to excel at Oneonta...

Nov 26, 2024

Ramdass Royals Crowned Champions of the Inaugural Windies Masters Cricket Extravaganza

Ramdass Royals Crowned Champions of the Inaugural...

Nov 26, 2024

KFC Guyana distance self from delayed payment of GFF Elite League prizes

KFC Guyana distance self from delayed payment of...

Nov 26, 2024

Ravens and Royals ready for epic Elite 16 final showdown

Ravens and Royals ready for epic Elite 16 final...

Nov 26, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]