Arrogance, ignorance, and corruption among politicians

Oct 14, 2020 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – The public applauds KN and other media for exposing wrongdoings from officials regardless of who they are. I traveled extensively and have been involved in research and opinion polling in several countries. Everywhere I went, in conversations with people, I received the same complaint about politicians, particularly Ministers. Some are very arrogant that the people can’t have a conversation with them or voice their opinion on issue or on governance. Some are ignorant lacking understanding of issues and even about their own presence in parliament, government, and any ministry they are attached but they behave like they know everything. And some are corrupt in addition to being guilty of the preceding two charges. All of the above apply to some politicians, not all of them, in Guyana and in neighbouring Trinidad where I spent considerable time since 1981 to seek assistance for the restoration of democracy in Guyana in 1992 and for other reasons after that achievement.
I have not encountered evidence of the above three charges from August 2 in Guyana, but there are early warning signs, according to friends I spoke with and reports in the media, of some heading in the above direction sooner than later. The leadership may wish to take note of public concerns of the behaviour of some before there is a repeat of what transpired in an earlier era that led to disastrous results in May, 2015. Some have stopped answering phone calls and have no time for the public including those who helped them reach where they are.
I studied and read a lot and traveled to several countries, some of them to learn from first hand experience about their countries. When I was a student in college starting out at the tender age of 17 spending perhaps more years in university than others in pursuing two Bachelors, six Masters, and four doctorates, and post doctorate fellowships, I met many students from around the globe. In college, I held several posts in student governments, founded several student organizations, worked on campus including as Teaching Assistant, a tutor, registrar assistant, a librarian, and other positions. As such I interacted with so many students, including many foreigners. Also, I was in an organization that addressed issues relating to Indians in the diaspora and through it I developed contacts and connections with foreign students of Indian origin with invitations to visit their countries. Thus, I spent time in Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, and off course India multiple times assisting friends who ran for political office. And I also made way to Grenada, St. Lucia, Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua, and so many other countries, visiting multiple times on research assignments including polling or surveys, some for friends. In every country, the complaint was a repeat – politicians are uncaring, self-centered, address self-interests, and are corrupt.
In Trinidad, the complaints against politicians were the loudest. After they get elected, you can’t find MPs (not all but most) in Trinidad. You have to call the police to find out if your MP is alive; he or she is missing between elections. Much of it is also true for Guyana. And if you dare ask for service, you get mouthful of abuse. I suppose because they can’t help people politicians avoid them. But the politicians, especially in Trinidad, do help themselves and family members or close friends especially financially and in transactions that are not openly transparent.
During an election campaign, politicians have unlimited time for the public as I found in so many countries. Politicians tend to be very accessible during campaigns. They answer their phones. The people can insult them and they still come back pleading for votes; election is the only time people can give politicians a mouthful of their true feelings. Opposition politicians, in particular, have endless time for people. They can be called any hour and they can be asked for any kind of assistance. But once the election is over, the phone number of the winners, especially if they become Ministers, is changed. All of a sudden, they can’t be reached. They have no time to answer or return calls. They claim they are busy, but they do virtually nothing productive. They reject calls from people who got them elected. I remember an encounter with a MP (PNM) in Trinidad, Jarrette Narine (of Arouca) who gave his mobile number to me to call him any time. He said all of his constituents had his mobile contact and could call any time. He did serve his constituents well based on a survey I conducted and indeed he did answer peoples’ calls. A few UNC MPs (like Chandresh Sharma, Trevor Sudama, Ramesh Maharaj) also served their constituents well but were not rewarded by the voters or the party.
I had access to politicians almost all the time wherever I traveled although at times I too was rejected. They generally don’t avoid me like how they avoid the public probably because I don’t seek resources from them. In almost all cases, I sought to help them or their government or the country. Politicians also don’t want to get on my wrong side because of my power of the pen and reputation in conducting polls. (They know I am not fearful to write the truth regardless of political consequences, and they don’t wish to make negative news; I don’t depend on them for roti). Politicians must be careful with how they treat the public. I studied enough elections worldwide and conducted many surveys internationally to read the mood of electorates. Those who are arrogant, get off your high horse. Those who think they know everything, their knowledge is limited. Consult real experts and professionals for advice! Five years go by very quickly and the public can be revengeful as happened in 2015 and 2020.

Yours truly,
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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