By GHK Lall- After 60 plus years what has changed? Nothing. Hundreds of thousands of Guyanese gone to Toronto, New York, and elsewhere, and what is the Guyana story? Same story. Same ole, same ole. After five years of grand headlines, where do Guyanese find themselves, if not in the same place as 60-70 years ago? Let me tell the story of this year’s elections, short and sweet. Bittersweet.
‘Don’t split the vote.’ Don’t do so, and don’t do this. The talk is of voting one’s conscience. I think that ranks as good. But when the conscience of the people has been numbed and dumbed down, then what is left to vote? Or to use that ole Guyanese saying when the roaches have eaten conscience to such an extent, with not so much as a speck of conscience left, nothing much to choose and use?
The talk is of voting on the issues. Lovely. But what is the hidden cry, that hidden love song that as much as it is hidden says so much? The two connected issues of massed scale thievery, while so many Guyanese know what it is to go hungry. While the fine folks at the top danced the night away, there were those Guyanese across the demographic, who know what it is to live with pain. It is said where there is no pain, there is no gain. No pushback here. But why is it that only a section of the Guyanese people feels all the pain, and a much smaller section reap all the gain?
When men were living high on the hog from the fruits of the national inheritance, and shouting down the masses of Guyana that a crippling cost-of-living was a product of their imagination and the mischief of others. Now everyone talking about cost-of-living and how much they will be doing. From famine to feast, it will be after September 1st. the hypocrites didn’t know that Guyana has those who are hurting, but now they know them more than me, talk of them more than me.
Thank God for nuance, for 21st century political correctness. The conversations are about the record. I say that that’s well. So, why that long record of dark secrets? And, I say also that once the record and issues and conscience are all in the right place, the right alignment, then ‘don’t split the vote’ is not even necessary, as everything speaks volumes. Is this where Guyana is perpetually stuck, comes down to, after 650,000 barrels of daily oil production? This country is not a bad case, it is a tragic basket case.
A few years ago, someone asked what is Guyana’s biggest challenge. My answer was instantaneous: the race issue. Because when that is addressed, then the oil issue can be sorted. My position hasn’t changed. A month or two ago, I was readying to slow down, ease off, from media contributions. Against my will, against my better judgment, I agreed to linger, share a little longer. I regret that decision, and will change soon.
Because what are Guyanese going to be told on September 1st, or September 3rd or September 23rd? Oh, this is the state of the state only around elections? Whoever wants to eat that dribble, that horse dropping, is free to do so. Exempt me; especially that the division of the spoils and patrimony is at fevered temps. Unless there is a genuine commitment to build a new mental state, and an equitable distribution of prime resources, then disaster is being courted. Other than for the give and take, the high velocity pitch of elections, pols wouldn’t have to sink so low.
Last, due to everyone being on their best behavior, the word is that Guyanese are not stupid. Sounds like beauty, but no brains to me. But, clearly, some think that they are so obtuse that they can’t see their nose, nor what is going on in their environment. This should have been the best place for Guyanese to be. Unfortunately, and other than for the favored few, the opposite is true. Now there is the mauling. Now everybody is promising. Now everyone is on their best manners, putting on the best clothes, and smelling sweeter than Chanel or L’Oréal.
Six to seven decades after its first introduction, there is ‘don’t split the vote’ and newer formulations. Five years after oil started gushing from under the seabed, Guyana is the sickest patient in the region. The richest people in the world are also mocked to be the dumbest folks on earth. It is a distinction worn with pride. From over the map, they come to hold Guyana’s hand, show Guyanese the way. It’s not worth it. Somebody must take responsibility for where this country is today, held to a severe level of accountability. Vote wisely, tomorrow.
