Socialism and its effects on Guyana and its people

Apr 02, 2014 Letters

Dear Editor,
Long before the Burnham era, Mr Cheddi Jagan and Mrs Janet Jagan were referred to as Marxist Communist, who were said to have connections to the Russian Communist Regime,
Mr. Forbes Burnham joined the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on his return to British Guiana after he had completed his studies overseas. The PPP was established and identified as an organisation fighting against Imperialism and for the rights of workers and other things.
Mr. Winston Churchill, then Prime Minister of England, in one of his great speeches said, “Great Britain will not allow another Communist regime in Latin America.” With his skilful manoeuvres of the Central Investigation Agency (CIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) we saw first, the division of the PPP into two factions, the PPP Jagan and the PPP Burnham. Not long after, the PPP Burnham was renamed the People’s National Congress (PNC). Elections were held and Mr Jagan became Premier of British Guiana.
In the year 1963, the national budget was rejected and that brought a general strike and riot which lasted for eighty (80) days and the political unrest started.
The year 1964, saw a bloody racial riot skilfully masterminded by the CIA and the FBI in order to divide our people.
British Guyana became independent in 1966 under the leadership of Mr Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. British Guyana became the Co-operative Republic of Guyana in the year 1970 and severed links with the British Colonial rulers.
After Guyana gained republican status, it was said to be following the path of socialism or having socialist links to Russia, China and other socialist countries.
The government of Guyana began the process of nationalising foreign companies and the gradual and systematic implementation of the socialist ideology. Guyanese began to rebel or resist the new system, which was somewhat hard and stiff, which resulted in frequent strikes, protests, long lines to obtain food items and many other adverse conditions.
The feed, clothe and house the nations (FCH) drive was one of the many good things introduced by the Burnham regime and there were many others, but people weren’t prepared to go through such drastic changes. They were not prepared for the shortage of basic food items.
Guyana became caught up with the system of socialism which started to crumble internationally and due to that situation, we had to cut and cut until we couldn’t cut anymore. Our two main foreign exchange earners, sugar and bauxite declined. The political, economic, social and foreign pressures continued. Guyana was singled out for physical and verbal abuse by our Caricom. neighbours.
Under President Desmond Hoyte’s regime, we were unable to purchase enough fuel to keep our lights on in Georgetown and other places, and the IMF was there to make sure socialism was dead. It was no fault of President Desmond Hoyte for some of the things that took place during his reign.
The system of socialism has done some harm to Guyana, but I love the system of socialism. It makes people work hard and find other good ways to survive. It brought out the innovativeness of people who were fixed on one thing.
We made carambolla fruits, salted fish of all description, clay bricks were produced locally, charcoal was plentiful, local drinks were in various flavours; there was the introduction of breadfruit chips, various peas.
On the other hand, Capitalism sucks the blood of the poor as much as those politicians who pretend to love and care for the needy.
I’ve said so much for the benefit of young Guyanese and the not so young. Before I conclude, allow me to explain my thoughts on the issue of sugar and bauxite. It must be told to all Guyanese, that sugar is a foreign exchange earner and if it is not sold externally, it can be eaten locally.
On the issue of bauxite, if it is not sold, it can be eaten also, but who is prepared to do that?
B. Winslow Parris

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Socialism and its effects on Guyana and its people

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