The choices in the upcoming elections are clear

Feb 26, 2015 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,
In this letter I will consider the responsibility of Guyanese to their democracy, putting an end to the PPP’s fear-mongering of African Guyanese, and the choices before Guyanese in the upcoming elections.
Guyana is a democracy. A democracy is a system of government where leaders are elected by a majority, and every citizen has equal rights under the established laws.  We previously were never encouraged to pay attention to the meaning of democracy and the role we as individuals play in maintaining our democracy.  We need to start doing so and embrace, and take responsibility for our democracy.
A democracy cannot stand by itself.  It has to be fought for, instituted and defended.  Our founding fathers, the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham fought for, and instituted our democracy.  We and our generations have to defend it. While we may all not be soldiers of our army, we are definitely soldiers of our democracy, which we are born to defend.  We must never again allow our democracy to be overrun by wanna-be tyrants, despots and dictators who raise themselves above the law.  Our learned men of the law will advise that our Constitution provides for our democracy to be scuttled, among other things.   We all look forward to these issues being addressed immediately with the coming change in government.
Also intrinsic to our democratic responsibility is our vote.  Our vote decides who and which Party is better suited to administer the affairs of our Government.   What we cannot and should not do is not vote on the assumption that a particular party ‘will win’, ‘all politicians are crooks’, etc., etc. Guyana has a crisis in government and this time, if any, is when your vote is needed in determining our next government.
The answer to the PPP’s incitement of hate and fear of African Guyanese on the basis that the Peoples National Congress Reform, and ultimately, APNU, is a ‘racist party,’ and that its supporters were/are ‘racist’ was actually formulated in an intense discussion with one of my Facebook colleagues a few weeks ago, and now, if any, is an opportune time to share this with the public.
The charge of PPP supporters having reason to fear domination and abuse by African Guyanese under APNU is upended by recognizing the fact that African Guyanese voted against the PNC, and in the process helped to install Dr. Cheddi Jagan as President and the PPP as the new government in 1992.  Ultimately then, the PPP’s propaganda and fear-mongering of African Guyanese among its supporters is ill-conceived, misleading, and without base. African Guyanese long ago extended support to both Dr. Cheddi Jagan and the PPP.
Finally, if this is not enough, the AFC’s embrace of APNU going into the upcoming elections is proof enough if any, that APNU and African Guyanese embrace and are in solidarity with PPP supporters for a fair, just and competent government.
Many Guyanese, myself included, are heartened and overwhelmed that APNU and the AFC have been able to find compromise through negotiations for the benefit of Guyana.  I have always considered this pivotal in moving Guyana forward.
Examining the leadership and policy positions of both of these parties, it is clear they have much in common, and little in the way of differences on how Guyana should progress.  They are both strongly against the corruption, injustice and abuses of the PPP, and they both are of the opinion that Guyana can achieve much more with a better government, stronger adherence to governance and Guyana’s legislative framework, and that there is dire need for constitutional reform.
The recent Mash celebrations gave rise to some truly wonderful scenes of respect and brotherhood of our African and Indian cultures under the common nationality we share.  The coalition is an expression of the intense hope its leaders have that Guyanese can indeed move away from racist/ethnic ideas and politics to making choices and decisions on policy issues without fear of oppression by either ethnic group.  The coalition is, to me, Guyana’s greatest promise for our future, and it is this promise that we need to take hold of and boldly vote for on May 11.
The choices faced by Guyanese come May 11 are clear – to vote for the AFC-APNU coalition that gives hope and promise of a better life for us, our children and Guyana at large, or to vote for a continuation of the corruption, injustice and abuses of the PPP.  On May 11, ensure that you take your friends and families to exercise your franchise and vote for the government of your choice.
Craig Sylvester

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