Our discourses must be based on substance not frivolity

Nov 29, 2012 Letters

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Dear Editor,
It is with growing concern for the disrespect of the people with the dumbing down of our politics by leaders that this letter is penned.
Usually it is the Head of State or Government, in this instance the President, who sets the nation’s tone and standard. As such, the president has to be ever mindful how society, at home and abroad, sees him. By virtue of his position he represents the country’s image and its intellect, and what he says, communicates to the world the nation’s thinking and conviction or lack thereof. It is hoped the president and his handlers see this commentary not as ridicule, but a red light to revisit a strategy that does not place him, the country and its people in a positive light.
Unfortunately this nation continues to be subjected to public discourses on matters of national import that strengthen the positions of two parents and a Caribbean colleague. The former told me they use our politicians as the standard bearer for what their three children must not be.  When asked for specifics, the response was, “talking without thinking, rude, unkempt, dunderheads, discourteous, bullies, self-serving, greedy and lazy.” The latter jokingly said “politics in Guyana is now in the hands of the riff raff and control maniacs.” This is not what we need to hear or what parents need to warn their children against.
The recent position by the president that he has no-confidence in the Speaker, absent of making a case that can withstand scrutiny, does not help this society or his image. If a case must be made against the Speaker, or anyone, the President owes the society leadership, by ensuring his case is built on substance, which would give the nation the opportunity for intelligent discourse on his position and ensuring the integrity of our constitutional offices. It would also aid in earning him the needed respect to govern.
One may have had differences with Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte and Cheddi Jagan, but there was no mistaking these men had strong convictions on their positions which they cogently articulated. Regardless of the side taken, the society was the better from these conversations. The president has said, “I say very clearly that we have no confidence in the Speaker because he took a political decision and not a legal position.” He is now asked to present his case in like manner so this society will be better served by his thoughts.
Further, it is expected that with escalating domestic violence, urgent bread and butter issues, draconian VAT and PAYE, coupled with abuses in the workplace and poverty – which in most instances adversely affect women – the president would have addressed these anomalies at the Women’s conference and given the assurances his administration will put systems in place to alleviate them and ensure women are treated as equal.
Placing these issues on the front burner and committing to assiduously working to address them are worthy of loud cheers and support. As a man, I urge women to avoid being the vessel of those who do not safeguard their wellbeing or treat them with the deserving respect.
As a nation we know our politics has hit a snag from some politicians’ statements, the comments of the Caribbean colleague and parents, and the many that have become disengaged even as they ardently follow, share opinions and engage in conversations about the USA and global politics. It is hard to imagine Barack Obama – an icon for Guyanese – conducting himself in any unbecoming manner and civil society, his fellow Democrats, or Republican opponents allowing him to get away with it.
It is harder to imagine Obama or his handlers allowing a public representation of his image that will do him more harm than good. It is known the admiration for Obama is not only for his racial identity, but moreso for his politics that eschew being narrow-minded, vengeful and vacuous. It is said the greatest form of flattery/admiration is emulation; as such we must now strive to ensure the political leaders at home adopt Obama’s approach.
Governance is serious business and those in whose hands we entrust the responsibility of our welfare we must see to it they carry out their duty with the seriousness it deserves. There is a saying, ‘a people get the government they deserve’ and in so far as we sit back and allow what is passing for governance to become the new norm is an indictment on us.
Today, I challenge each and every one of us, including the media, civil society, trade union, bar association, church, business, religion, academia and politicians to stand up and speak out, in order that we can change course for the elevation of public/political discourses and the nation’s business. The time is now to return to the culture where discourses, though varied, opposing and heated are based on substance not frivolity.
Lincoln Lewis

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