Dear Editor,
My wife and I had the opportunity to usher in the new year in the serene environment of our home; thanks to the coronavirus.
It afforded us the opportunity to reflect upon the political turbulence, torture and murder of young men, General Elections and the whole gamut of unpleasant occurrences, which characterized 2020.
Last year, Guyana experienced an onslaught of propaganda by our political leaders, some spending many millions in fees to foreign public relations units and allied entities.
They have made the twentieth century propaganda gurus look quite pedestrian.
As we enter a new year, it will be helpful if all Guyanese insulate themselves from the massive propaganda and rhetoric which is now the order of the day.
My parents cautioned me with the wisdom that “every story has three sides; your side, my side and the real story.”
Whether we are dealing with oil, the dispensing of justice, the handling of the economy and measures being employed to cope with this pandemic Covid-19, the information being fed to the nation on these important matters has tended to be myopic and garnished.
From the little referred, the first few hours of 2021, suggest that that third side, that is the real story, remains elusive.
In other words, ordinary folks are still longing to get the truth of matters, which affect them.
In spite of this I urge young and old to share my optimism as contained in the sentiments expressed by the renowned English Poet Philosopher Alexander Pope, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast; Man never is, but always to be blest. The soul, uneasy, and confin’d from home. Rest and expatiates in a life to come.”
You see Dear Editor, the average Guyanese is forced to rely on one of the two sides and not oft times the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
If we are hoping to get to the bottom of every story told, we may end up in either the cemetery wandering or in the lunatic asylum.
I ask us that we have hope, I ask us to avoid the sin of silence and to call upon our religious, civil but in particular our political leaders to treat each other with civility and to be committed to the words which flow from their mouths, that what they do is really and truly in the interest of Guyana and the welfare of succeeding generations.
We must not despair, but rather retain hope and believe that change will come – change for the better, change that will make us truly free and a happy and prosperous 2021.
A century ago, the great powers led by the US and UK opened talks on German war payments.
An example, of the arrogance we in Guyana should avoid.
Two men have a fight, damage is inflicted on and by both, but the loser must repair and compensate the winner.
Injustice at the highest level, but the lesson we should learn.
The anger of the German people as a result of the pressure by the victors of World War I helped to create the extreme Fascist Party, the Nazi and its Dictator Adolph Hitler, leading to the trials and tribulations of World War II.
While the political leaders were seeking vengeance, Europe was hit by hunger and unemployment.
That lesson seems to be ignored by our political leaders, forgetting or ignoring the Biblical injunction which demands “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourself but rather give place unto wrath, for it is written vengeance is mine. I will repay said the Lord.” (Romans Chap 12 vs 19).
“Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink for in so doing Thou shalt heap coals of fire off his head.” (Roman, Chap 12 vs 20).
Already for the new year, there are allegations that Covid-19 relief money and materials are not being fairly distributed.
This may not necessarily be true but the result of a typical government bureaucracy.
Whatever, may be the whole story, a concerned government ought not to ignore these and other allegations and therefore avoid the perception that there is vengeance in place.
Beyond that, it is my hope that the bounty from oil and gas, or other mineral and natural resources will be shared equitably by and among all Guyanese and by the time 2021 is drawing to a close, that the public servants, in particular our Doctors, Nurses, Teachers, Policemen, Soldiers, Firemen, municipal workers, our street vendors and the people who work in the private sector will all see an increment in their take-home pay and living conditions and most of all, an environment where our young people can release their creative energies for the benefit of our beloved Co-operative Republic of Guyana.
That the number of persons to be housed will be realized as promised.
That our educational, health, cultural and sporting facilities will all be improved.
Money cannot be the constraint, that we will re-introduce some form of National Service and other opportunities for persons to mix and meddle in a controlled environment learning to love, care and share.
Vital for this year, will be well thought-out plans, to be executed by Managers, men and women identified based only on their competence, character and willingness to serve beyond the call of duty.
Elections are over and the time has come for us to avoid cussing each other but to be true to our promise and pledge to see Guyana forward with one objective and in so doing the worrisome widening gap between the wealthy and the poor will be attenuated.
Dear Editor, may God bless you, may God bless and guide our leaders.
May God bless Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green
