Domestic Dictator, International Lapdog, the real third world ugly

Jul 25, 2021 Letters

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Dear Editor,

I foresee great anger in the voice of history. One day that anger will be directed at all Guyanese; and it will be known that History is angered more by the weaknesses of a people than it is by the tyranny and savagery of their Colonial Bullies. In thunder, that voice will describe how inaction has weakened its pages and lend boredom to readers. In my pages you are nothing! nothing! because when I cried out for hunger, you did not feed me.
Great leaders lead from within. They live among, listen to, and feel their people. They know they are just the designated drivers. They must take their people where they need to be. Leadership is built on a foundation of TRUST and INTEGRITY, and trust and integrity feeds on transparency. When transparency becomes the main talking point of the opposition it is time for the Leader to get uncomfortable.
A Promise made during a National Election Campaign is a Solemn Pledge, that translates to an obligation upon reaching the ears of the population and returns to the Candidate as an undying commitment. Sir Winston Churchill said “A politician must have the ability to foretell what will happen in the next week, the next month and the next year. He must also have the ability to EXPLAIN why it did not happen”. Theodore Roosevelt said “Do what you can, where you are with what you have”, and J.F. Kennedy said “A country can never move forward unless there are men who can think of things that was never”. If the words of these great leaders cannot tell you the need for Intuition, Creativity and Vision in Leadership then, may god help you.
In a letter to Lebanese Parliamentarians in 1925, during the last days of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire and at a time when New Frontiers were created, Kahlil Gibran wrote, “Are you a Politician asking what your country can do for you or a Zealous one asking what you can do for your country. If you are the first you are a parasite, if you are the second you are an oasis in the desert”. These words written thirty six years before JFK’s inaugural address should be written on the heart of anyone who seek political power.
Here in Guyana, a President grows wings with an election victory. He begins to fly and like birds he cannot hold back. He messes regardless of who is below. He is no longer among you. He is now deaf to all cries. He moves by invitation and speaks to his subjects by MAPPED interviews. He has absolute power. He stands above the Judiciary and the legislature. He is no longer a designated driver. This driver takes you where ever he sees fit.
Here are a few simple facts that sums up MY Country. When Guyana became independent Singapore’s population was 1.9 mln. Fifty years later Singapore has a population of 5.5 mln. Throughout fifty years of independence Guyana’s population remained at 750,000. Yes a negative population growth. Neighbouring Brazil had a population of 89 mln when we gained (Political) independence. Brazil’s population now stands at 210 mln ……..In fifty years of self rule not one Government Minister was ever found guilty of wrong doing…….. After fifty years of self rule we still go around the world looking for Best Practices……… Guyanese leaders do not understand that first world Businesses and Leaders do not come to a third world Country to party. They come to throw you a party, get you drunk, and take all you have……Contracts between the Guyana Government and foreign entities are not for public scrutiny…….Guyana is among a group of Caribbean nations still fighting for reparation settlement from the British Government. Most likely a few centuries from today we will be fighting the Nations and Companies presently plundering our wealth.
I cannot fathom what is wrong with us; that we will have our plates full and give it to others, then fight for the crumbs that fall from those plates. Is it not true that Technology is readily available? Was Marley right when he implied that we are still slaves?
Tell me what leader will allow his Finance Minister to refer to his people as poor during a Budget presentation, just a few months after taking a fifty percent salary increase for himself and his Cabinet WITHOUT CONSULTATION. Just imagine that Finance Minister turning back and stabbing those poor subjects with a fourteen percent tax on Water, Electricity and Private Education. When I see water I see life. When I see Electricity I see power and production and growth and development and when I hear about Private Education I see sacrifice and competition and progress and a thirst for growth and a drive to get ahead. I see all that is essentially human. My government said, you must not see.
Deep within me there is a loud silence. Even in my deepest sleep that loudness will linger, but I will not tell my whole story until I find out why black donkeys still find fascination in white wash fences.
Ray Daggers

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