My vote is not up for grabs

Jan 24, 2020 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

There are political activists who are attempting to convince me to vote for their party. Little do they know that I do not have any intention of voting. I consider the present bunch of politicians not befitting my standards. They do not enjoy my confidence. They do not inspire me to go out and exercise my franchise.
It is not worth the trouble to have my finger stained and left looking dirty for one whole month. This is what I think of the present bunch of politicians vying for political office. They are not worth the walk to the polling station. They will not get my vote, not now, not ever.
I am asking the political activists of the various political parties not to come bothering me with their fancy talk and their flyers. I am not going to listen. I have better use of my time. And do not let them bring this crap to me about the mother of all elections. This is not the mother of all elections. I have no time for the mother of all elections.
I am not interested in attending any political meetings for anyone to tell me that I should begin to think like a billionaire. If I were thinking like a billionaire, I would be in Dubai. Not in this God-forsaken country where basic things become like rocket science.
Those who come knocking at my gate or door will not be welcome. Most of them who are from the ruling coalition, I believe in my heart are merely seeking to protect their jobs and the perquisites of office, including the duty free concessions on those expensive and fancy vehicles which they drive, while the restrictions have been placed on the type of vehicles which the ordinary man can import.
Many from the other side, the PPPC, are only interested in getting back into office. They too are not going to find a receptive ear from me. If they want my vote, there is something that they can do. They should get up on a podium and announce to the whole country that if the party they support wins the next elections, they will not accept any pay for any position they have, neither will they ask for any duty free concession.
If they want my vote, let them say publicly that they will renegotiate the contract with Exxon. Let them say they will investigate the signing of the contract to see whether it was approved by Cabinet. That is all I ask of anyone from APNU+AFC and the PPPC who want my votes.
As for the small parties, they are lost and out to sea. Some of them have not as yet held a road corner meeting or a political meeting. They are lost causes who will not collectively manage to gain even one seat.
I, however, wish all the parties the best of luck in their campaigns. They will certainly need it. The people are apathetic. The crowds at most of the rallies have been poor, far less than in 2006 and 2011. Too many persons are being bussed in to these rallies. The die-hard supporters are going from meeting to meeting.
It is good business for persons owning portable stages and sound systems. Business is good for the minibus operators who are bussing people from rally to rally. The advertising firms, newspaper, radio and television will do brisk business as the parties seek to get their message across. Facebook should open an office in Guyana given the number of political ads which are now being placed on that social media platform.
The people have no time to waste with these sideshows which are taking place. They are fed up with the politics of the country. But they do not stay away on Election Day, not when certain loyalties kick in.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)