– Rivers of Red, Seas of Green, Streams in between
Once again, readers would be accurate if they discern that the rather rambling thoughts hereunder are born of my own hopes wishes, even expectations as the “new” government begins to manage our national affairs, our resources, our “governance”, our future.
Hope springs eternal in my human breast. Optimism keeps us going. Against all odds, against tradition and brutal experience, we caring citizens now past sixty, seventy, eighty – with an interest in politics and government find it difficult to hope that leaders from the PPP or PNC could change, could metamorphose into truly national inspirational leaders of and for all.
Take me for example. I would love to be extremely wrong but I am shackled by the declarations and behaviours of the politicians now in control again. Frankly Speaking, I already harbour doubts, fears that they have it in their political beings to be truly inclusive and national. To be able to be “large” enough to utilize resources for all.
What? I should wait? Give them three/four months before assessing, judging? Alright, I’ll try. Let me see the PPP seniors cautioning their young Turks now in Ministries, Boardrooms Commissions, Agencies and authorities. Let’s see how matured they are to refuse to be influenced and prejudiced by all the PNC tribalists leaders threw at them over the past “half-year”
As A.A.Fenty advises: if you govern fairly, serve every group equitably and, transparently, they see oil resources and opportunities being shared in the interest of national well-being other parties will remain out of Government – for years!
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Employ all! Include opponents
One reason for the tradition of election losers formally conceding – as Trinidad’s Kamla recently eventually did – is to demonstrate that political electoral opponents should not be enemies. They respect the people’s will and they all declare that they all mean well for those same people. Can’t their qualified representatives and followers, therefore, serve the people, from within whichever Party is in government? There I go again dreaming?
As soon as Messrs Ramkarran, Shuman and Gouveia accepted (advisory) appointments from the “new” administration, the fears and mischievous criticisms began. Sell out! Those small/new Parties merely wanted to deplete PNC votes; wanted “positions.” However true those “Conflict- of-interest” barbs could be, my position is that our best brains must be given opportunity to serve at a national level.
Burnham was great at “buying-over” PPP seniors. But able qualified citizens, whatever their Party loyalties, are entitled to be employed by the state. No need to actually join another (ruling) group if – like Selman, Lumumba or Hamilton – persons want to “cross over” that’s their choice. But all professionals belong. Does the PPP have it? Enough to include? Some PNC professionals are available! To join “your own” in service to the people.
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Share what!? Article 13, include…
Two “selfish points” up-front: even though I know of shared governance, joint-government, power-sharing, coalitions, my old stubborn mentality directs that whoever won the people’s choice fairly should govern! And I’ve noticed that whenever the PPP triumphs, the calls for “joints” and “sharing” are the loudest. (How much Constitutional reform did His Excellency the Brigadier pursue in 2015-2019?)
I’ve read the editorials, studied the analyses, even attempted research of a few European models of shared governance through numerous models of Coalitions. I still feel that when thousands prefer a group to lead that group should be allowed to do so. It is for that group to include. There are even mechanisms for sharing. Through Constitutional appointments and other regulatory requirements.
All I ask now is for the “new, matured reformed” PPP (???) to operationalise, as never before the Constitution’s Article 13: “The principal objective of the political system of the state is to establish inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens and their organisations in the management and decision-making process of the state – with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being”.
“Outreaches” and community “Consultations” constitute but one mechanism for inclusion but interested qualified citizens, including political opponents, must contribute meaningfully to decision-making! Possible in our land?
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Rivers of Red, Seas of Green, the streams in between
My attempted poetic caption immediately above refers to the PPP dominant Party Colour, Red. The PNC – masquerading as the imploded “APNU” – really overwhelmed with their Seas of Green during Campaign time up to March 02 last.
The “streams” in between must be Guyana’s Civil Society. I’ll expand on this issue in future offerings but just a few years ago a fast-talking gentleman disappointed me and others after actually organising and mobilising Civil Society organisations here – as never before.
Perhaps this is the time for non-government, non-political bodies to consolidate for representation. I mean religious organisations, cultural movements, ethnic-based societies, fraternities, sports associations, private sector/business bodies, professional organisations… How formidable these could be. If not compromised. But again I dream? What about an “Article 13 Association”? More dreams?
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Ponder, reflect…
● 1) American political snapshot – The Pande-mic and Racial-Equality Protests really set Donald Trump right back. Even now cities are ungovernable through protesters turned rioters. Organised?
Nikki Haley who used to criticise Trump then turned his UN Ambassador is Indian! Watch for young Afro Cameron, the Kentucky Attorney General. How will Kamala campaign from next week?
● 2) Brigadier Granger chose the National Stadium for his Presidential Inauguration. I hope that President Ali does not abandon D’Urban Park
● 2b) Two prominent citizens – among others – passed away within days. They were neighbours but so different: Toolsie Persaud and Sase Narine.
● 3) Are the APNU/PNC’s Statements-of-Poll ready for the Election Petition?
● 4) Historic! A local political party has actually dissolved itself?
● 5) Big debate amongst the fellas: who will be the new Commissioner of Police? Wendell Blanhum? Clifton Hickens? Ho-ho-ho.
Til next week!
