Having violent criminals run rampant in our streets is a failure of government

Oct 10, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
Exactly one year ago I penned this letter in support of Brigadier (ret.) David Granger. Today one year later I am more convinced that he is the right man for the job.
Of all of the declared candidates for the Presidency of Guyana, Brigadier General David A. Granger is the only one with a resume and life experiences that match the myriad of problems that will face the next Chief Executive of Guyana. If we were to make a list of all that ails Guyana, we can quickly come up with several large and complex problems; a failing education system, violent crime, corruption, poor infrastructure development, perennial coastal flooding, narco-trafficking. All of which are the responsibility of Government.
Add to the aforementioned list; national disunity, inequality among social groups, the destitute, the homeless, eroding national pride; this speaks to Leadership. So as I see it, the next Commander-in-Chief will have to be someone who can manage a complex organization (government), and provide leadership to a skeptical and broken populace. This leader will have to be able to inspire, to command great respect and above all be incorruptible.
Take a cursory look at David A Granger’s resume and one would notice that he has successfully managed a large complex organization (The Guyana Defense Force); he has been a public servant all of his adult life, he was a business owner (The Guyana review), he has impressive security and law-enforcement credentials (National security adviser to President Cheddi Jagan, National Drug-Enforcement Committee, National Defence Board), his intellectual strengths are well known and his published works well received.
He has served as President of the Historical Society, University of Guyana Guild of Graduates, the Heritage Society etc. This is a man who will be ready on day one (no training wheels necessary) to start tackling the herculean task of rebuilding Guyana.
I was fortunate to serve as an Army Officer during David Granger’s tenure as Commander of the Guyana Defence Force. The words often used to describe him were; Spartan, disciplined, highly intelligent, fair and incorruptible.
I am supporting Brig. David Granger because I am convinced that he is the right man at this time to lead Guyana. Our major problems are governmental in nature. The current administration has failed to govern. Having violent criminals run rampant in our streets is a failure of government. Failing to provide adequate electricity and drinking water in your capital city; constant flooding; narco-state; corruption at all levels of society, a Police Force that has lost the trust of the people; a President tainted by associations with known felons.
The role of Government is not to dictate to the people, but to serve the people. To keep the people safe, providing an environment for business to flourish, so that jobs can be created and the quality of life of the citizenry is enhanced. To ensure that the laws are enforced equally and without bias; this is what good governments do.
David Granger’s resume and life experiences are strong indicators that he will govern efficiently and effectively. He will be a friend to the business community, because he has run a business.
He will bring the authority and experience to rein in violent crime and reorganize the national security apparatus to meet the current challenges. He has the intellectual fortitude to tackle domestic problems and represent us with honour on the World stage. He has pledged (and his own life story supports this), that he will be a uniter, not a divider, binding up our national wounds and putting us on a path to healing. Finally, he is an honourable man who cannot be bought or cowed by the criminal element that currently holds great sway in Guyana.
Like so many of my generation, I am excited about a David Granger Presidency. I am currently in self-imposed exile from the land of my birth; but I still love my country fiercely and want only the best for Guyana and all Guyanese. This man can do it. That is why I am supporting David A. Granger.
Mark Archer

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