Dear Editor,
I want to stay on an even keel today and for the foreseeable future. As I do so, a great many things become clearer. The first is that there are expectations, countless many of them. These gleam though the euphoria and delight, the mesmerizing visions and dancing spirits.
It is only day two (I think it is) of the new administration with a cabinet still to be fine- tuned and made public. But already there are those knocking on the door and reminding of all the ingredients that go into these things with this request or that demand or yet another reminder and recommendation. I took the time to skim through some of the public appeals and positions and clearly the Ali Administration is sure to be inundated with everything under the sun, and then some more. I take a quick peek.
The foreigners emphasize constitutional reform (I agree and must write accordingly); locals speak of jobs, and one went to the pain of pinpointing who should be in the cabinet. This is all heady stuff, and there is bound to be heavy disappointment, when personnel decisions go the other way, some other inexplicable way. I feel for such supporters and stalwarts, but there must be understanding that there are only so many sweet spots and many more persons who did a lot of hard heavy work. As to who is deserving more than whom is none of my business, but Guyanese must learn to manage their expectations and temper their soaring visions to suit local circumstances. It is both helpful and healthy.
Speaking for myself, this is what I am hoping to see unfold. Some people may be moved, but it should be minimal; the lessons of prior vindictiveness and vengefulness will not aid but aggravate. I trust that the wisdom to desist from what contributes to disunity will prevail. On another front, some have spoken about trust and, to speak to the obvious, trust is at such a low ebb here as to be almost nonexistent. Don’t ask me why, but I (me of all persons) am withholding judgment for the next 100 days and giving space to set agenda and operate. That is proper.
I say this and write this despite my own misgivings, which are based on more than the anecdotal or circumstantial. For example, it is a public secret that several billions, all told, were donated to political coffers during the recent sprawling electoral safaris. Thus, I wonder how that will reconcile with the bone in the throat (I should know) of regulatory transparency, of enforcement arbitrage, and of principled objection and denial. Let me put this a different way, if I gifted a few hundred million to the recent campaign, I expect ready access. My expectations will extend to quid pro quos now owed, as in markers to be called in, when some bureaucrat stands in the way (legitimately), when some rule (necessary or mandatory) that is enforced has to be followed. If I do not get my way, then there would be a great sense of disappointment, if not rage. Something is going to have to give.
Editor, it could be heavy tax bills due, or a bothersome and inhibitory practice long railed against to no avail, or a rather diligent public officer seeking to execute his or her duty to country and citizen. It should not fail to register that I do not mention allegiance or duty to a political party. It is an open question as to what is going to follow in such circumstances of which there are endless permutations. I do not know which tail is going to wag which head, but I hold my peace for the time being. Still, this much must be recognized: that is the real world, and in Third World societies, it is the dominant one. But trust it is going to have to be just to see.There is a universe of good work that is direly needed, and which can be done. Only men and women of honour can deliver. That is my expectation and that should be the way forward. Regarding, whether it is present, I hold off.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
