Integrity, honesty and impartiality not possible without conscience

Nov 12, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
These three words,” Integrity,Honesty and Impartiality,” appear in all spheres of our daily lives. They are the” code of honor” in the halls of justice (judiciary). They are the “scapegoats” for politicians. They are the coveted “logo” of the business fraternity. They are like the “holy grail” of the religious community. We all want these three words to be associated with us in the eyes and hearts of the people we deal with on a regular basis and we want them to spread that charmed opinion to those who don’t know us too. When does the craving for that charmed existence stop? It never stops for most people! For the politicians it stops when one accedes to the presidency of the Cooperative republic of Guyana. As the president, David Granger considers himself at the pinnacle of his career, nothing else matters. It seems that he is the only one “fit and proper” and only he can decide who can come close to that designation, even if, he has to bend the constitution to get his desired latitude. As the President, Granger seems to be dazzled by the illumination of the mirage of a king’s scepter; bereft of any constitutional responsibility, in his hand. Forgotten are the days in opposition when Integrity, honesty and impartiality (IHI) coupled with favorable promises were paraded to the public as stepping stones to inspire people to vote him for the presidency. Integrity, honesty and impartiality are intricately linked to, and can never be achieved WITHOUT a clear conscience. Ever so often we are reminded of the golden rule-”Let your conscience be your guide”. This is the equivalent of the biblical version, “love thy neighbour as thy self”. The President’s action, so far, connotes that these teachings are alien concepts to him. Our history has taught us that these concepts are NEVER synonymous with Dictators! Dictators never worry about what people will think of them when they are gone-their obsession with power drives them on a quest, as if it’s the “holy grail,” from which immortality could be achieved. Granger’s slide into degeneracy from since swearing to uphold and protect the constitution has been rapid. After appearing in two press conferences he opted for his own talk show called “the public interest”. As early as May 2015, Granger began to show blatant disregard for that which he had swore to uphold and protect (the constitution). It would seem that his understanding of “uphold and protect” is limited to the paper on which the constitution is written and not what is written in the constitution. in May 2015 he give notice for “all interviews and meetings of the Public Service Commission to cease”-thereby superimposing himself on what is supposed to be an independent constitutional commission. The president did this again this year when he issued a directive to stop the Police Service Commission from executing its promotion of ranks. Having tested the seismic resistance on the population twice, the President was ready to unleash the “Big One”-the unilateral appointment of Justice Patterson as Gecom chairman on what is perceived to be the darkest night of the year (deepavali). His action should be considered as a direct assault on Democracy-the sacred system that the people of this country depends on to freely and fairly elect their leaders. Democracy had eluded us for more than half of Guyana’s life as an independent nation. Any historian of Guyanese origin, the likes of David Granger would know that. Where is the President’s conscience? It has gone in search of political expediency and with it goes his Integrity-his honesty. As for impartiality-he lost that permanently when he had ask two judges to retire because they were 80 years then unilaterally appoints one who is 84 years to be Gecom chair. This is hypocrisy in action! Granger would do well to rescind this appointment in the eyes of the masses and the international community, with vested interest in Guyana, before the CJ gets a chance to adjudicate on it. But that will not happen. Recently, in his Georgian sojourn, Granger acknowledges that he has been,” a member of the PNC for 52 years;”and that he is” no stranger to struggle.”This is shocking news back home for Guyanese who thought that they had voted for someone who did not have distant connections with the PNC. As for him being “no stranger to struggle”-which seems to perplex the historically inclined such as FK and the average Guyanese. Be advised that Psychiatrists are of the opinion that one can struggle with an idea, grievances or thoughts in their mind; oblivious to the people around them. They (psychiatrists) also believe that people who are not vocal and expressive in their struggles have a lot of anger pent up within them and often lash out vehemently when afforded an opportunity to do so. Another angle for the President’s intrinsic assault on the constitution could be psychosis. The selection of a Gecom chair was settled before 1992 by the Carter/Price formula. It has seen the appointment of 4 chairmen up to 2016. By now that method should have entered the realm of orthodoxy in the conscience of every Guyanese. Sadly! that seems to have eluded President Granger.
Rudolph Singh

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