Yes here I go again with one of my occasional opinionated, lecture-type pieces. But I promise brevity.
One month and four days ago I deigned to reflect upon our Constitution’s status as “the birth certificate of our Nation” – to borrow new.
South Africa’s usage – and the general disrespect shown and indifference to the scores of intentional and aspirational clauses and provisions of that fine National Document.
I have good reason to quote from that piece the following: “I have always appreciated, as you should, that constitutions are ideals; standards of national behaviour to aspire to. Many of the good intentions in Constitutions are therefore, aspirational.
The Guyanese citizen has the undeniable right to work, spelt out in the constitution. But what if no jobs are available? Easy to get the point, right.
“Today, though, I wish to bemoan just how the Guyana Constitution is disrespected, ignored and regarded merely/only as sterile recommendations! By the ultimate “authorities” who are best placed to ensure that the Guyana Constitution, amended in 2003, is a living, active, legally-binding National Document we can be truly proud of. Frankly Speaking, even as it now is our Republic’s Constitution can actually stand comparison with any – anywhere in the world. Alas, too many of its objectives and directives are made to be useless.
Not observed, never enforced
“A few citizens, sometimes turn to our courts of law to prove that their “rights” – their enshrined constitutional rights were violated. Most times by the very authorities bound to uphold them. We hardly hear of those cases and the findings. Except a notable few – to do with broadcasting, immigration, employment.”
Our right to vote
Naturally, our Constitution is replete with the freedoms and rights we Guyanese citizens “enjoy”. I understand that even in some parts of this civilized planet certain citizens, including women and children, do not benefit from such written, legal guarantees.
Take the right to vote, as a method of choosing and “electing” fellow citizens to represent your interests, through some form of government.
Our comprehensive constitution spells out all the functions of our Elections Commission. Articles 145, 146, 147 and 149 tell of our rights with regard to freedom of conscience, expression, association and to participate in the decision-making processes of the State.
You should read and study these well-worded provisions of the Supreme Law of our Land. I myself had not the time to locate which one actually used the expression “the right to vote”, but it should be there.
I understand that whilst other laws say every Guyanese must be registered there is not much any authority can do to compel anyone to actually vote on Polling Day. After all, we have the right to follow the dictates of our own reality and conscience, within the limitations of the law. We here still do have a right of choice.
My unfortunate conscience
The contextual definition of conscience here is one’s “moral sense of right or wrong…that consciousness, understanding and appreciation that one’s actions are either right or wrong”. (Right or wrong, I guess, according to principles one was taught, or acquired, through parenting, religion or some other moral forming, life long orientation.)
One’s sense of reason, “reasonableness”; one’s emotional responses to such issues as guilt, even respect inform one’s conscience. Then there is background – and knowledge!
Well, my informed conscience has placed me in an unfortunate and negative state. And I have agreed to succumb. Based on my knowledge I’m no longer interested in voting for any of these dudes presenting themselves to be my representatives in my country.
Sad, is it not? The fore-fathers and more genuine leaders struggled for that right which I now abandon! My Constitution gives me that freedom to choose and I’m turning my back on it. Like Jehovah Witnesses. But you all must exercise your right. Vote! I shall have to abide with whatever government you all choose. What will be my position then? I’ll tell you next time. And what I think about our potential “candidates”. And how modern-day societies choose “the best of the bad lot”. Next time…
Beautiful songs…Don’t lie?
How inspirational, how poetically beautiful are our national, patriotic songs. My generation sang them meaningfully. Oh, but as with so many fine things in this land, how the imagery, the aspirations and promises of those wonderful airs have been dashed!
Remember?
“My Guyana El Dorado…
To redeem in lasting splendour
All the years had lost to thee
Arise, triumphant, glorious
From the ashes of the past”
Those lyrics tend to ring hollow after generations and decades of lost opportunity and postponed prosperity.
“For when at length I come to die
I want no gilded tomb
Just let me rest within thy breast
Where thy sweet flowers bloom”
Alas. “Gilded Tomb?” Thousands can’t even enjoy reasonable houses. Just shacks! The hundreds of thousands in the Diaspora would shun Le Repentir when it comes to that final resting-place where no sweet flowers bloom! Perhaps an interior burial ground?
So, more lie detector tests are coming to assess the integrity of employees within the government sectors. The scientific use of the polygraph machine is intended to ferret out truthfulness or dishonesty in persons. No comment.
Why not, however, experiment on a few big–time contractors, five members of parliament, three pastors and two senior police officers – or lawyers? Poor polygraph. Corruption is smiling…
Ponder, ponder…
*1) Normally a “prisoner of Conscience” is a person imprisoned by the state because of his/her political or religious beliefs.
I’m now my own prisoner of conscience as I won’t vote!
*2) Thousands loved Ne-Yo. It is now acceptable to “sample”. To hear violins when there are none on stage. The song is just as beautiful. Right?
*3) Visiting Guyanese for our “summer” should stop molesting me about why Evan Persaud denounces “rum lyrics” or why Kwame Mc Coy is on the child rights commission. I’m not that morally bright.
*4) From the Sunday Editorial: “…A car park or car port or whatever nonsensical notion has germinated in the cerebellum of some aesthetically– challenged bureaucrat…” Great! They’ll probably just proceed to show who’s in charge…
*5) What “grudge match”? We have no grudge with Trinidad. Perhaps they do…
‘Til Next Week!
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
