This a very cruel, uncaring country

Feb 06, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor,
There are so many things that manifest themselves daily, highlighting and reminding us that democracy is much more than just having people casting a vote.  That “of the people by the people for the people” phrase as it is supposed to be is hardly ever played out in its fullness. There are just too many failings and short falls.  Once votes are cast, counted and winner(s) declared, that seems to be the end of democracy.  As have become the norm no one pays attention to the fine prints and other details/aspects of it in which its fullness thereof is addressed.  No wonder it becomes confused and interchangeable with hypocrisy.
We read of so many accounts about the trials/tribulations and distress of ordinary folks, the everyday people as I like to call them – myself included – and wonder aloud: do ministers, top functionaries, those relevant authorities and their overstaffed offices/officers see and read about them?  Are they ever moved by them? Do they discuss them and point them out to their superiors or vice versa?   Come on wasn’t for such purpose these ministries and department created and their employees-employed?   Editor, let’s take for example Aubrey Squires and Milton Massiah, two elderly citizens living on the streets.  These two men like so many others have reached the age for pension but they are not receiving any. As reported one of them said he made an application to have his but because of not having a birth certificate it is a severe difficulty, even though he gave to them all relevant information which they can use to investigate and rectify.   He said they promised to contact him but never did.  Frustrated, he doesn’t even bother anymore.  But that is his entitlement, a need even moreso he lives on the streets scraping a dollar any which way.  That they have his address, know where to locate him, then why can’t the relevant authorities have their field personnel check him out and put thing in place so that he can have his entitlement. This kind of action is a vital aspect of democracy; not sit in office and say you have to come in to us, there are so many situations that demands a different kind of approach.  I’m not saying that they should be going all around looking for these unfortunate folks but this form of action in itself can to some extent energise some to become a bit more vibrant for their own good.  I’ll say democracy is more of a service and not just hinges on a set of cold, callous rules within a system.
Editor and dear reader here is another for your consideration – a somewhat touching one to rile up anyone except one having a heart of stone.  It is about two young women this time, one Lukeisha Clarke and Althea McPherson.  These two young women who reside at Pouderoyen on the West Bank Demerara sustained burns to their bodies after they were shocked by live wire on October 10th.  McPherson was treated and sent home.  Clarke who was seven months pregnant then suffered the worst and was admitted at GPHC.  As we were informed the two friends who were standing together heard an explosion, saw a cable overhead on fire and began to run when the cable on fire fell and entangled them, they fell and were unconscious on the road between the sparkling cable.
Clarke who is expecting her baby next month (February) had a series of skin surgeries grafts for burns sustained.  McPherson has been unable to walk because of burns to her feet as a result she has been on continuous sick leave as a security guard since.  Having no source of income her sister is helping to take care of her and her two children.  The burns require daily treatment, so her transportation cost is stressful.  As for Lukeisha Clarke her mother lost her job because she was forced to take care of her – obviously she is in bad shape.   Now this is what riles one up:  it was a member of the Guyana Police Force whose action was/is responsible for these two young women unfortunate state of affairs as it is right now, yet they are left on their own, no one gives a toss; no one to turn to they both said – as reported – “we never even see this person-the policeman responsible – never showed up to inquire about them if dead or alive.” You mean to tell me that the Police Commissioner knows nothing about this; that no other senior officer read about it?
They (police) are issued with all our dailies as is every government institution/organisation. This is not the way a democracy is supposed to function, what then is the purpose of the Ministry of Social Cohesion? The Ministry of Citizenship? Of Social Security, the Ministry of Health? Are they not people oriented? Send your field workers to work damn it! See why everyday people get betwixt and between democracy and hypocrisy.   Poor folks have to master the art of walking between the rain-drops.  May Jesus be their shepherd.
Frank Fyffe

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