Using the benefits of former U.S presidents as justification for our Act is not sober reasoning

May 12, 2012 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Vishnu Bisram’s letter dated 05/09/12 and published in the Stabroek News under the caption “Critics of the former presidents benefits act should look at what is done in the US” exposes the wrongs of this Act rather than provides justification for it.
Mr. Bisram, in his attempt to provide support for the legislation decided to compare that Act to the benefits former presidents of the United States receive for their service. According to him, this comparison is sufficient justification for the PPP/C to have used its majority in the parliament to pass this hefty package for Mr. Jagdeo. He went on to quote in dollars the amount of money certain US presidents received in benefits for the year 2010.
One might argue that maybe Bisram, a supposedly well-informed fellow, should have taken the time to examine the socio-economic realities of the two societies of which he chooses to compare before making his highly fallacious and illogical conclusion. One only has to examine the ‘middle class’ concept as applied in both the U.S and Guyana to glean a full and clear understanding of the vast difference in standard of living, in these two societies.
Since I am inclined to credit Mr. Bisram with more academic depth and analytical skills than exhibited in his letter, I am forced to believe that his decision to find justification of the ‘Jagdeo’ Act by comparing a similar situation in the U.S, was done because of political affinity to the PPP/C regime, and to provide a mere sideshow.
How can Guyanese approve an Act to benefit any president which sees them paying tax to support a lifestyle of a man whose standard of living alarmingly exacerbates the expansive gap between the rich and the poor. How can we even contemplate aiding a ‘rock star’ lifestyle for Mr. Jagdeo when we can’t even pay to buy a concert ticket. How can we foster the indulgence of one man in such ‘stinking richness’ when the majority of us are struggling to find a bus fare to send our child to school to get an education? How can we promote such inconceivable luxury for one man when the community called ‘plastic city’, where people swim in squalor daily, exists in our very space? Is Mr. Bisram serious?
I am quite convinced that had this Act been passed under the PNC administration it would have received the wrath of the PPP and their friends, but of course ‘democracy’ has come to Guyana.
I am saying that Guyana, owing to the very admission of the government during the very intense budget debate, cannot afford this lofty package to Mr. Jagdeo or any other president, particularly at this time. I would also repeat that should this Act remain as is, it will further emphasize how wrong government’s policies are. It will also raise again, the question of inequity, unfairness and injustice. The parliament, therefore, has every right to act on the side of the people and repeal this ‘bully Act’.
Again, let the benefits be commensurate with the prevailing socio-economic realities of Guyana. Further, it would be instructive for the government to provide the principles, guidelines and rationale which guided its decision to come up with the benefit package for Mr. Jagdeo. Can Mr. Bisram say how much Mr. Jagdeo is earning for his many excursions and ‘Champion of the Earth’ trips around the world, he has been making since he left office? And, are those not capable of being categorized as ‘speaking engagements’? If so, would Mr. Bisram suggest that we apply the U.S principle, he espouses, and decide that Mr. Jagdeo is earning sufficient to upkeep his luxurious lifestyle?
Just a thought!
Lurlene Nestor

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