Absolute power corrupts absolutely

Nov 15, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
If the PPP/C wins the most votes but not a majority (50% or more), it still gets the Presidency, forms the government, selects the ministers and dominates Parliament.
It seems like people are confused. Even more atrociously, the PPP/C is trying to confuse its supporters. It has been trying to scare its mostly Indians’ supporters with a bunch of outright nonsense. One such piece of nonsense is that the AFC and APNU/PNC will form a coalition after the election.
The constitution does not allow that. Plus, the AFC has unequivocally stated that it will not form an alliance with the PNC/APNU. Why would the AFC with this lineup of former PPP/C stalwarts and legends ever want to form any alliance with the PNC or APNU? The brilliant minds in the AFC know they will be wiped off the face of the earth in 2016 if they try such skullduggery.
The risks are too immense for the AFC to even consider an alliance with the PNC or APNU. It will destroy their party. The PPP/C wants a majority because a majority in the PPP/C absolute power. It is the kind of power they have used to commit all kinds of atrocities in this nation such as giving themselves ludicrous pension packages worth millions per month while seniors starve on $7500 per month. The kind of absolute power that gives them power to change the laws to give their friends hundreds of millions of dollars in retroactive tax benefits.
Absolute power has destroyed and wrecked this country. The time is now to reduce the power these bandits get. The percentage of PPP supporters who will vote for the AFC for the first time on November 28 need to do exactly that to control these political con men.
What this bunch of PPP charlatans isn’t telling their supporters is the truth. That the PPP/C will still get substantial power even when it does not get a majority.
If the PPP/C gets the most votes but no majority (50% or more), the PPP/C still gets the presidency – meaning Ramotar will become President. It still gets to pick the government. It still gets to pick Cabinet. It still gets to select the ministers and Permanent Secretaries. It still gets to appoint the diplomats and members to boards, etc. It still gets to make all kinds of appointments. It still gets to spend our money. It still gets a majority in Parliament although it doesn’t have absolute control of Parliament.
So, it is clear that the PPP/C still gets the hog’s share of power even when those of its supporters vote for change with the AFC. Well, we can’t trust them with total power.
If the AFC is given the balance of power, it can use its power in Parliament to ensure the PPP/C handles power with responsibility, transparency, responsibility and remains answerable to the people. This is what those PPP/C supporters voting for the AFC for the first time want to happen.
PPP/C supporters know what absolute power does to people. It makes them more corrupt, greedier and more callous and degenerate. The nasty ‘cussing’ by (President Bharrat) Jagdeo on the campaign trail is evidence of this. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
When PPP/C supporters vote for Nagamootoo, Ramjattan, Bissessar, Singh and other former PPP/C leaders in the AFC, good and decent men who were kicked out of their own party for standing up to corruption, wrongdoing and internal dictatorship, they will be voting to curb the absolute power Jagdeo and his rich friends.
The decent men and women of the PPP/C are now in the AFC. PPP/C supporters know that those left in the PPP are the political bandits, charlatans, soup drinkers, sycophants, yes-men, vulgar, dictatorial and corrupt. They also know that if Ramjattan or Nagamootoo went up against Ramotar in a free and fair election in the PPP for the party’s presidential candidate; it would have been a no-contest in Nagamootoo’s and Ramjattan’s favour. A man like Nagamootoo is a legend. He earned the respect and stood by the side of legendary lions of the Guyana soil in Cheddi Jagan and Walter Rodney in those dark days of PNC rule.
PPP/C supporters have eyes, ears, hearts and minds. They know the truth. They want change and no manner of lies from the PPP/C can alter that. Power is all that matters to these men in the remains of the PPP/C who are willing to wreck this country and forsake its poor and powerless so they can build mansions while we who have slaved in this land for nothing get a life of crime and poverty so crushing it is downright criminal.
I have said this and will say it again to Bharrat Jagdeo and his minions – this generation of Indians don’t scare easily, they don’t fear, they will not go quietly or gently into political chicanery, they are valiant, they are informed, they know the truth and their fearlessness and indomitability will bring justice, equality, fairness and dignity to this land on November 28. Many believed it would take the PNCR to awaken Indians. Lo and behold, it is a reprehensible and immoral version of the PPP/C led by political con men and pillagers that will awaken Indians on November 28, particularly the Indian youth.
M. Maxwell

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