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CRAB IN THE BARREL MENTALITY
Based on our politicians’ behavior in and out of Parliament, politics in Guyana has become like a ‘crab in the barrel’ mentality. Our politicians are deceptive and they are responsible for some of the antisocial, politically antagonistic, crude, corrupt and criminal behaviors seen in the country today. Over the years, they have worked very hard to delegitimize one another. This is their primary goal. 
Most politicians pursue their craft with zeal. They present the brightest outlooks for their party and the darkest assessments of their opponents but they are never brave or honest enough to honor their commitment or tell the nation the truth. Many are unrepentant in their beliefs that they are persuasive and duty-bound to develop the country and improve the well-being of the masses. Regrettably, it is quite easy to detect the negative consequences that could emanate from furthering the politics of de-legitimization. This has been the practice that too many of our politicians have participated in for decades with obtuse devotion and annoying regularity that has cast a negative shadow on them.
They criticize the judicial system whenever the courts rule against them. They disparage law enforcement when their relatives or friends are arrested. They ridicule and walk-out of parliament when laws are enacted that run counter to their interests. They attack and denigrate the media, especially Kaieteur News when news reports are not pleasing to them or do not reflect their bloated egos. They deride socio-economic progress and development so long as it does not bear the name of their party. And they happily sing praises in furtherance of their political party’s goals to score cheap political points when the economy is in decline, unemployment and the crime rates are high, and massive corruption and scandals. This has and continues to be the behavior of our politicians.
Quite frankly, assertions made by many in the media that Bharat Jagdeo has disgraced the office of the presidency is brutally honest and accurate because of his lack of probity, integrity honor, and honesty.The sad truth is his puerile behavior goes far beyond the obvious targets. If not challenged, it could have weakened the foundations on which our robust, but still fragile, democracy rests. The chronic practice of elevating the politics of de-legitimization is antithetical to some of the national outcomes we desire such as unity and our often recited motto—one people, one nation one destiny.
Furthermore, we cannot be serious about wanting to achieve meaningful bipartisanship with this relentless fascination with, and fixation on “crab in a barrel” mentality. Bipartisanship should not be of the superficial kind that has often displayed in Parliament in recognition of someone passing or their contribution to society. Bipartisanship must allow for consensus on matters that hinge entirely on national unity, with politicians from both sides of the isle speaking with one accord and acting collaboratively in the best interest of the country. The fight against crime and corruption are two critical areas for which bipartisanship is urgently needed.
There is everything ignoble about the politics of de-legitimization. It is distasteful and abhorrent for any politician to spread falsehoods on one another. The practice robs impressionable children of a real opportunity to learn about our contemporary politics, political development and the basic civics of the nation. However, there is great nobility in advancing the legitimacy of our body politic and political institutions. Therefore, we have a duty to safeguard against those who are using this method to rebuke and to impugn the integrity of our political institutions, destroy characters, and marginalize people with whom they have superficial or real political differences.
The practice of excoriation by politicians to belittle one another and to settle decades-old political scores based on spurious partisan claims have heightened feelings of self-importance, self-interests, or sheer tribalistic behaviors that will not move us closer to achieve our goals as a nation, let alone attracting bright young people to become politicians. Simply put, it furthers the ‘crab in the barrel’ mentality. William Shakespeare’s quote: “…Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown…” says it all.
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