Dear Editor,
We the masses should change our political mentality and vote for those who offer the ideal solutions to our problems; we must not cast our ballots for party symbols. Only we can change ourselves. Within our minds lie the basic and true change; only Guyanese can change Guyanese.
The fault is in ourselves and not in our political parties. Shakespeare once said that the fault is not in our stars but in ourselves. Therein the first change should be.
Yours faithfully,
George Carrington
Our political parties must take the blame for exploiting the weakness to which you refer. As long as our political leaders put pressure on professional bodies and institutions independent thought and objective analysis will be suppressed.
Too many of our “professionals” are sold to those who wield political power on the given day.
Voting blindly is not really blind but it is really a perpetuation of the fear and insecurity based on race.
Until a law is passed against making a fool of yourself people will continue to vote blindly for party symbols.
George: Your few lines of prose and the Shakespearean quote are beautifully written – but all wrong. No understanding of the “hold” the ethnic parties have on African- and Indian-Guyanese masses.
People are like sheep (you heard this before). Indians vote for the PPP and Africans for the PNC – “down to the last man” ; and they both say they did not vote race but for the party that has the best policies.
So, where does the fault lie, George? Of course – with the ethnic parties.
Question: Aren’t the PPP and PNC both practicing ethnic politics? [Yes or NO]
If the United Nations are against ethnic violence and ethnic cleansing etc, shouldn’t they also be against the PPP and PNC for blatantly practicing ethnic politics in Guyana?
Do you deny the PPP needs Sam Hinds only for his African face as window-dresser – and that neither Sam nor any other African could ever become the Presidential candidate, regardless of the years of faithful and loyal service?
The Western Ambassadors in Georgetown, the Carter Center and the United Nations -and you too George – have got to take a stand against the institutionalized racist policies of the ethnic parties.
Danke schon
Ethnocentricism has been a part of our culture for so long that we seem suspect even the best of intentions by “crossovers.” Isn’t this suspicion indicative that even the seemingly “neutral” critics are not untouched by it? Does not Sam Hinds have a brain? Was he dragged into politics and kept there by force? Isn’t he intelligent enough to make wise decisions? Who decides what are wise decisions? Is choosing another party other than the PNC or PPP necessarily a wise decision? Have you asked why Indians voting for the PPP considered racial voting and Africans voting for the PNC not considered racial voting? Irreverend your sarcasm is not helpful. I agree with both George and Indian, however, it takes a collective effort and a common desire to change the philosophical underpinnings that have dictated the life of both the individual and the community.
The two main political parties continue to exploit our citizens by having them vote race as against policies.
I have no confidence that they will change this approach as they stand to benefit tremendously. After all, where in this world, in this 21st century, can a ruling party, and “main opposition” continue to secure the votes of their supporters without even lifting a finger to earn them?
Generally speaking, in the 16 years of rule, this administration has failed to take Guyana forward by any significant measure. Using grants and loans to build schools, roads ,etc. cannot be seen as a sign of economic prosperity.
Show me the initiatives that have resulted in an economic turn around in Guyana.
Our vast mineral and agricultural potential remain relatively untouched, our highly skilled labour force continue to migrate at record numbers, other smaller regional countries are marching forward, and all out politicians continue to do in engage archaic theatrics.
That there continue some sort of semblance in Guyana is a direct result of the remittances. If you think I am wrong then consider what the state of affairs would be like if there were no monies coming in via Western Union, Money Gram, and the like.
There is no incentive for the Administration to “sweat out” over how its citizens would drink, eat and pay bills as they know that US$ comes in on a daily basis.
They know that all that is required for votes is to play on the “fears of of their supporters by invoking the tragedies of the pass, waving placards with the picture of Dr. Jagan (and so desecrating the name of such an honorable son of this soil) and I can go on and on.
The voting public must realise that given the current voting trends, the world look upon us as either extremely foolish or unbelievably naive.
The day the citizens of Guyana recognises the importance of their vote, and stand firm, demanding real “fruits” and not just lip service from politicians, would be a beautiful and refreshing day for Guyana.
Do you think that day will ever come? Sorry for being a pessimist. But I really believe that Guyanese on the whole are too passive a people when compared with our regional counterparts.
No one, absolutely no one, or just about a few are really willing to make sacrifices for change.
Just recently I told my friend that had I remained in Guyana, I might have gone into politics, she responded: “and you would have been dead by now”.
Why? because she knows my passion for people and change, for finding solutions that would have upset the whole darn status quo