Dear Editor,
Every passing day, almost every encounter emphasizes the creeping putrefaction in this country. Corruption is about more than money and siphoning off taxpayers’ dollars. The places and people where it can be found, no matter how concealed, are endless.
Corruption includes where people present blatant falsehoods to justify official existence; to extend their presence; it is the manifestation of an ugly vindictive spirit. Corruption is where once believed principled individuals do the heavy lifting and extensive legwork so that political people can put academic letters behind their names, and before; as a wanton abandonment of standards and values. Corruption is leaking sensitive information of perceived enemies into the public domain to punish the recalcitrant and obstreperous. Corruption is smearing the questioning, critical minority, through deception and fraudulent misrepresentation to muzzle, to score cheap points; with a total disregard as to how much the ruling monstrosity and agents besmirch themselves in the process.
In the present it is about claims of molestation, and clever citizens’ demands (corruption in reverse); in the future it could very well be propositioning staff (male and female), or making racist comments, or uttering seditious statements.
The local facts and circumstances reveal that corruption is about men and women not caring an iota about how low they sink, how much they stink, and repulsively they ooze; it is about getting dirty people to do dirtier work. Those who once identified with high Christian ethos now scorn what is honourable; those that came from virtuous families revel in the dirt and dung; and those who once professed serious detestation for many things practised by the ruling party, now turn up with tongue outstretched. Ethics and principles have no exchange rate at the bank. Too many are comfortable in the role of behind-the-scenes pimping, while others do the real work; and last there those delighting in offering themselves for a price, any price. The internal conflict is this: retaliate in kind and take it to another unseen, undesirable level; or take the high road… That challenge continues.
Last, I did have it right: this is national cesspool. This is the rushing Guyanese apocalypse.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
