The lackluster versus the terrible

Jul 01, 2011 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

I have heard the often repeated opinion that the newly formed APNU election coalition consists of lackluster politicians. In all fairness, with the possible exception of Williams, Bond, Harding and Peter Ramsaroop, a majority of the APNU leaders, though honest and nationalistic citizens with good intentions, and who are capable of leading Guyana into the future, are not dynamic individuals.
Worldwide, young people tend to gravitate toward leaders who are charismatic, combative and feisty. In the case of Guyana, the APNU people may not fall into this category, but neither is their main rival, the PPP. If one wants to argue about de-energized appearance then that should not be a nightmare for the APNU leaders. It is doubtful whether that criticism can dent the election chances of the combined opposition when one thinks about the other side.
The election will end up being a battle between the lackluster and the terrible. Human beings shouldn’t have a difficult time in knowing which one to choose.
Assuming people will vote for ethnic reasons rather than on issues, even with the Amerindian votes going to the PPP, that party does not have the numbers to win fifty percent of the votes. There is the distinct possibility that the AFC will do better this time among rural Indians. The complications are creating jumbies in the minds of the PPP. There is no Janet or Cheddi Jagan. Moses Nagamootoo may stay away from the flock. Sugar workers are not enamoured of the PPP anymore. The young Indian vote is far from guaranteed.
This is just an infinitesimal part of the funeral arrangement. In the world today, citizens across the globe want change. A vote for the PPP is the return to power for the fifth time for the same organization, and will hand the PPP 24 years of power until the next poll in 2016.
This scenario should be painted all over Guyana by the opposition. The non-stop sermon should be – time for change. It is an appealing slogan within the context of an appalling balance-sheet of the ruling clique that has left this country politically and racially divided with nihilism and anomie on the doorstep of every citizen, save for the wealthy class of nouveau riche, the successful narco-traders and the relatives and friends who became vulgarly rich due to incestuous patronage.
Whatever fault you may want to find in APNU and/or the AFC, the forthcoming election is an epic battle for change. This country cries out for new leaders, fresh ideas, innovative thinking, consideration for the poorer classes, the head-on confrontation with a crime monster that is sucking the blood out of the citizenry, the advent of social stability and the exercise of power that respects people, the laws of the country and moral principles.
If against a background of terrible governance, where both legal and moral rules have been tossed aside into the sea of mess and miasma by rulers who have become barefacedly contemptuous of every citizen, the opposition cannot win in 2011, then they never will. Maybe one day, two hundreds years from now.
The rallying cry must be ‘change’. Ingenious slogans must be invented to capture the hope and dream of change. Everywhere the opposition goes, they must sing the song of change. If ever a country needed change, it is Guyana facing a general election in 2011. The most fascinating thing about this election is to see what style the ruling party will adopt. Will it use all its time telling people about 28 years of the PNC, or will they preach “development” that they brought?
If we judge from the deportment of Clement Rohee and Bharrat Jagdeo, the direction will be scare tactics – the PNC banned the foods of the East Indian people; Burnham invited Jim Jones; Burnham’s House of Israel killed Father Bernard Darke; David Granger was a big one in the GDF when two PPP members were shot by the army on the Corentyne protesting rigged elections; the PNC flew the party flag over the Court of Appeal; the country went broke and food was scarce; there were long lines for all items that human beings have to use. The list will be endless.
They will try this approach rather than talk about development. With poor wages and salaries, gunmen waiting to pounce on you, continued shortage and exodus of skilled Guyanese, the breakdown in infrastructure; and sickening corruption, it will be embarrassing to campaign on this record.
Their greatest fear is while talking about their achievements, blackout will come. Now what more self-destructive act would you want than that?

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