Some will have money for the New Year

Dec 11, 2011 Features / Columnists, My Column

---

I have rarely seen so many cases of people shooting themselves in the foot and rarely have I seen people desperate to see the country move forward being thwarted because of an absence of trust.
Ever since the results of the elections were declared I noticed a serious desire by the leaders of the political parties in parliament to talk. Both Brig David Granger and Lawyer Khemraj Ramjattan were invited to meet with President Donald Ramotar.
Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon was at those meetings and he later spoke of the sincerity of the parties involved. This does augur well for the future, but will that sincerity be continued as the months roll by?
As a Guyanese I think so, because we are not a people who love to offend. However, in the major opposition, there are people who firmly believe that they should get their just deserts. They are the young people who have taken to the streets, and their message is clear.
They are the young people who have studied for years and have failed to gain employment; they are the people who expect to be involved in the development of their country; they are the people who actually feel that they are being denied the chance to do something meaningful. And to top it all, they have an influence on their parents.
So we come to the call to boycott certain establishments. They know that their money keeps these establishments operational, but for all they contribute to the success of these enterprises, they get little in return.
Young people are into sports, but many of these successful businesses give nothing to support the sporting endeavours. There are young people who need help with their education but their parents simply do not have the money. Many of these businesses would not contribute to a scholarship fund. In short, the businesses only concentrate on taking and nothing about giving.
So the call for a boycott must not be underestimated. It is timely. These businesses have shot themselves and now they must scramble to do damage control. They must show a human face to the people who are responsible for their very survival.
This is the time when the very businesses rake in about fifty per cent of their annual profit. This boycott is going to hurt them
Then there was an individual who, if the visual evidence is to be believed, proudly displayed how he voted. A man has a right to vote for whomever he chooses. But to flaunt that preference can add insult to injury. Guyana is a polarised country. People would prefer to suspect a person’s political affiliation than to be confronted with it on Facebook and on the internet.
It seemed to be sending a message – a proud message—to the people who hold an opposing political view. And the very people who feel an affront to the flagrant display of political affiliation are the people who support activities hosted by this individual. The call for a boycott should be expected.
I ask myself a simple question. Why must someone take a photograph of a ballot and publicly display this photograph? Was this person trying to appease someone or justifying to someone the need for continued funding?
There was talk that some people earned money for voting a particular way. Was this person sending a message to someone that he had voted and therefore deserved any money coming his way? Whatever the reason, it was stupid.
I remember 1997 December. The business community made no money because the late Desmond Hoyte told his supporters that in their struggle they could not afford to sit back and enjoy Christmas. The people listened.
This year seems to be heading in that direction. Perhaps the government needs to pay attention. If the business community gets hurt financially then fingers should be pointed at the government in general and at Bharrat Jagdeo in particular. He was the one who set the date for elections so close to Christmas.
In 1992 elections were held in October.  In 1997 in December, in 2001 in March and in 2006 the elections were held in August. Both in 1997 and in 2011 the Christmas celebrations seem threatened. I remember businessmen complaining about having stocks that they imported sitting in their warehouses. They probably disposed of them the next year.
And on the lighter side. I have grown accustomed to people turning up outside my home to sing and to make merry noise. In exchange they would accept whatever change I would give to them. Then they would visit my neighbours and the cycle would continue.
No one has come as yet, so they have not put me in the spirit. Dr Steve Surujbally was more fortunate. He attracted a bunch of singing and chanting people and got angry. He got an early Christmas, but he did not find the experience enticing.
Indeed I laughed when I heard of his debacle not because I was glad that he attracted a bunch of people but because I know him and I could actually hear him cussing and fuming. I would have loved to see his face.
Merry Christmas ,Steve.

---

---