-Last week’s significant quotes
For citizens concerned. Do you find time to consider the status, character, integrity and/or abilities of those who assume positions of authority to direct and manage our national life? Our present? Even our future?
I mean the individuals thrown up by political parties. Or identified and managed by them. In a wink these persons, appropriately qualified or not, become our executives, managers, administrators of our national affairs which touch our everyday lives and living. Designations such as ministers, CEO’s, regional chairpersons and directors assail us. With President, Prime Minister and Vice-Presidents heading a national hierarchy with “dominion” over us. Some of us actually voted for them. But just who are these “leaders”? Those whose policies and performance impact the prices of food, the cost of education and health care, transportation and recreation? Decisions on opening and closing hours, times for travel and the provision of national and community safety and security, as well as salaries for teachers, university professors, magistrates and judges?
Yes, just who are these decision-makers and national managers whose “work” has consequences for our very working-class and other levels of existence? And how should we assess them? How do we judge those chosen – or appointed? After the voting?
I suggest you all, we all consider their pre-top-spot past briefly. Objectively. They were “ordinary” folks before training, education, qualifications. Many were attorneys-at-law, other professional workers, some dedicated “party faithfuls”; some minding their own private sector business. Then the political call-up and appointment.
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Quality of character, true public service
Two oblique but related points: I remember Gary Hart an American candidate of a few decades ago. He was “discovered” having an extra-marital fling on board a yacht. The media and moralists hounded him out of contention. And ever since (false) America seems to want saints or angels as leaders. Hard to come by! Secondly, I recall an Indian head of a local regulatory body telling me: “Mr Fenty, Guyana has many corrupt but competent political leaders”!
So I now submit for the serious consideration of voters and other citizens the following criteria to assess the suitability for political/governmental office.
Do the current ministers behave like role-models for the young? Character? Integrity? Competence? The Public Security fellow oversaw two massive jail breaks, rise in traffic violations and everyday crime. Why is he still in office? Satisfied with the Prime Minister? Does he enjoy any “constituency” whilst “serving” us?
Which political leader is really religious – or just church-goer? From Bishop to Swami do these political “do-gooders” exude genuine moralistic leadership? Some leading male politicians can be human – like me(?) – I suppose: Both family man and ladies man! But does the policy and the economy allow competence to shine through?
Current ministers and political leaders were once Police Commissioners and GDF Army Officers, accountants and lawyers. What do we know of their integrity then? And now? Remember my Fenty mantra: we/they/are all flawed. Elections allows you to choose the best of the bad (!) lot! Check for service. Look for self-presentation.
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What of the aspirants 2020?
Apply the character/integrity/competence-criteria mentioned above. Consider the candidates’ age, experience, political past too. Why does he want to be Prime Minister? Is the coalescing with big parties and/or the maneouvres to catch your eye – and vote – indicative of a willingness to serve us for improvement all round? Or is it all about selfish ambitions in a new promising economy? Over to y’all voters.
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New highway, old fears
This working-class column had planned this comment long before last week’s multiple traffic fatalities. First, I personalise: during one year (1971) teaching at St Sidwells in Lodge, Georgetown, I loved using the small powerful Highway Code on the street in front of the school teaching pupils to observe traffic, to use the road. Does that happen now in schools?
Every day I observe the expansion of the Georgetown Sheriff Street/Mandela Highway. What a modern wide “expressway” that will be by this time next year! From gates and bridges right on to new fast highway! Only the necessary new sidewalk/pavement in between! I fear! Homes and schools and police must teach caution from now!!
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Some last week quotes…
Many writers often beat me to expressing my own views earlier and quite well. In case you missed these: Ralph Ramkarran, SC – “Small parties face an uphill task in mounting an electoral challenge. They are required to present a list of candidates comprising 65 members, 30 percent of whom must be women. The list must be supported by the signatures of 300 members of the electorate.”
“These onerous requirements in relation to the general elections strongly militate against the interests of small parties, which will struggle to comply with them.”
“That means his local co-criminals, those get rich so quick one would think they must be related to God, must, or should be wondering not only about their freedom but their ill gotten assets in American banks.” Claudeston Massiah.
“It is political fraud to choose a candidate and have another person speak and perform for him. Let the real Irfaan Ali stop hiding behind placards at protests and step out into the open space.” (?)
“You cannot say that you want to change the status quo and then join the status quo” – Ruel Johnson on TCI never coalescing.
Think about it…
10) What? A Canadian elections expert is going to “advise” GECOM’s Justice Singh and Officer Lowenfield?
2) Will the bright youthful candidates supplement, complement the old experienced minds by Nomination Day?
30) Who is our Minister of Defence? Our Petroleum minister?
’Til next week!
