Dear Editor,
Here in Guyana we love America. We want to emulate the American lifestyle, dress, musical selection and even diet. There are people who have never lived in the US but have a full “yankee” accent. A few weeks from now someone will be throwing a Halloween party.
However, I wish to see Guyanese emulate other aspects of the American way. For example, the way how a political debate is organised and conducted. After looking at our local attempts at a political debate then watching at the two US presidential debates, thus far, it leaves truck loads to be desired. I certainly hope our debate organisers and politicians were watching.
Firstly, the debate was between two persons, one from each side of the fence. Not four government representatives and one from the opposition. The moderators seemed to be well-researched and took command of their space and were not intimidated.
The debaters were, in the most part, very civil towards each other. Something that was not evident in the gutter, mud fights, crab war, buse out, cuss out, pointing-my-finger-in-your-face, banging on the chair, shouting spree sessions we had here.
Obama and Romney had their facts in their heads. There was no coming to the debate with loads of paper and books.
Since we copy so much from the US, maybe our politicians can copy some class and decorum, at least in a debate
Yours faithfully,
Montgomery A. Chester
