The Era of Authoritarianism Must End

Jul 02, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

One of the privileges humans can enjoy is servitude. It is an exemplary show of humility, self-gratification and the ability to shape communities and the nation wholly. However, the obsession of power among executive members on both sides of the political divide have been fashioned by arrogance, self-absorbing and egotistical behaviours. As the author, I implore your patience with a few examples:

A few weeks into a newly elected government, the Minister of State was seen on a private jet posing as a rock star. The same Minister when questioned about the secretive agreement by the cabinet to raise their executive compensation package is recorded saying that as a lawyer, he pays his junior staff the increased amount and he has “no apology” for his utterances. This is one instance of the pig-headed behaviors by leaders who have become obsessed by power. We are reminded by Lord Acton “Power tend to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.

Another sanctimonious gangster is recorded in the media berating a member of the public who challenged the status quo with questioning the comrade leader. He retorted to telling constituent to “shut up and that they don’t know what they were saying.”

In some countries, utterances like this can be meet with stoning and others with widespread condemnation of the senior government official. The attitudes and behaviours of senior members over the past years have expanded to suppressing constitutional appointments, cronyism in state board membership and widespread discrimination of public servants who oppose their dictatorial policies. Members within their parties are seen as opposition who modestly offer constructive criticism and are banished from party events, friendship circles and leadership positions. This cannot be the finest display of democracy and leaders who attain public office must be open to criticism.

Recently, another senior member of the cabinet has been charged for alleged rape of an underage teenager. It is the most disgraced and obscene abuse of executive authority to groom, coerce and forcibly use his position to attain sexual favors of underage children. His female cabinet colleagues are all silent and so is the political party’s women organizations, Rights of the Child groups, religious and legal bodies like the Guyana bar association. The deafening silence allows for pedophiliac predators and traffickers seeking to advance these behaviors in the country. Nonetheless, the response of the country to executive abuse of power has been promising. The acts of demonstrations, letters and social media commentary provides the gravitas for accountability and the willingness to challenge the status quo. Benjamin Disraeli, a world renown philosopher is recorded in history saying that “Change is inevitable.” Let us continue to influence a change against Stalinists, despots and abusers of state power.

Thank You!

Collin Haynes MPH MBA

Authoritarianism, behaviours, Collin Haynes, Government, MPH MBA

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