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Absolute power, undue influence

Jul 29, 2015 Editorial

The primary goal of all political parties and politicians is to win elections and gain power at almost any cost. Politics is about power and power is influence. Power is about getting someone to do something that they would not normally do. However, power cannot be held in isolation.
In Guyana, power gave the former administration the ability and influence to dictate to the people. It had absolute power which resulted in massive corrupt practices. Such an affliction was the primary reason for the arrogance displayed by the party.
More than that, some members of the former administration were so intoxicated with power that they believed that they had the right to rule Guyana forever. They were of the opinion that they were always right, even when they were wrong. And they never admitted to their mistakes. Such was their egotism and brazenness.
In order for the masses to fully understand politics they must be well informed about the role and functions of power. More than a century ago, British Historian Lord Acton said that “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely”, which gives perspective to the attitudes of many high ranking personnel of the former government.
Time and time again, allegations of the state resources going to a selective few and not reaching the ordinary people were seen to be in direct conflict with the interests of the masses to meet their basic needs.
The promises of good governance, transparency, accountability and the equitable distribution of state resources among the masses were mere lip service, as no one in the previous government was held accountable for alleged corrupt practices, yet the common man was made to face the music in the court of law for simple or minor offences. This was the type of double-standard practiced.
Once the former ruling cabal settled in the corridors of power in 1992, they became indifferent and as a result, ineffective. Many were seduced by the pleasures of luxurious lifestyles and the privilege of power. They were set in their ways and became virtually inflexible and egotistical in terms of responding to societal needs.
It was this type of disconnect that frustrated a nation willing to strive for improvement. Their dictatorial approach to governance made a farce of Abraham Lincoln’s famous definition of democracy “a government of the people, by the people, for the people”.
The new government has promised renewed hope for a prosperous future. If its development programmes are allowed to continue apace, the nation will accordingly benefit tremendously from an improved education and health care system, reduction in crime, more jobs, better roads, fewer floods and power outages, better quality services from the public, and corruption will be a thing of the past.
Not only would habitual drug users and small-time traffickers continued to be jailed, but drug lords who lived like kings under the former regime will be imprisoned as well. Not only would employees feel the squeeze on their income in terms of taxes – businesses, multi-millionaires, and property owners who have been exempted from paying taxes because of their affiliation to the former regime, will now be on the radar of this government.
We would like to reiterate that at this juncture, the people are eager for honest and sincere politicians who are respectful of them and the laws of the country. They have had enough of the dishonest and abusive behaviour from those who have ruled.
Now is the opportunity for the citizens to hold their heads high, shed the decade-long pall of selfishness and distrust, and work to build a better country for future generations who will be the beneficiaries of today’s choices.

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