Crime - The Price of Poor Governance

There is always a price to pay for every decision made in life. Sometimes the payment is sweet, like when the decision is made to have a baby and the result is holding that precious bundle for the first time, and the second time, and so forth. However, sometimes our choices lead to very bad consequences – like the government's decision to be lax about the crime spree in our nation.

The result has been catastrophic for so many, and can only be expected to get worse as time progresses if drastic measures are not taken to stop the criminals. The deviant-minded are not likely to change their ways and start being upstanding citizens just because the people they are victimising cry out for mercy.

Victimisation has long been vogue in Guyana , though it is usually doled out from the hands of our leaders. This time, the victimisation is being heartily distributed by the criminals who rob, rape and murder, as well as from the leaders who have taken no significant measures to remedy the escalating situation.

If the criminals were not our own, that is our own brothers, sisters, neighbours, cousins and friends, then perhaps we would be more vigilant about demanding immediate action. And if those charged with the task of administering justice were not also in some way related or otherwise connected to the criminals, perhaps more of these thugs would be behind bars and less fear would rule the streets of our nation.

We should not forget that the victims are also our brothers, sisters, neighbours, cousins, and friends. Our lethargic approach to life in general, combined with our underlying fear of government reprisal, has put us in one of the most precarious positions we have ever experienced as an independent nation. We have become victims of our own apathy.

So what has been the cost of this crime extravaganza? Most importantly, there are the lost lives. Forget about Guyana 's brain drain for a second and think about all of the lost potential and experience embodied in the citizens who are being picked off one by one.

Another grave cost is the joy and peace of mind ripped from the women who have been raped. This horrid experience will haunt them for the rest of their lives and effect the way they interact with others in society. Fear and distrust will be the mode of operation for years to come for these women.

In fact, fear is exactly what has been instilled in all of us as a result of this recent crime wave. Our sense of security, which was already in a sad state, has all but diminished from existence – this, my friend, is the most significant cost of all.

When will enough be enough? How many people will have to die before we are outraged to the point of action? How many of the women will have to be raped? How much money will we hand over to these thieves at knifepoint before we demand that they be taken off of our streets? It is time for every single citizen of Guyana to count the cost of the crime in our nation.

To be sure, our apathy is no less a criminal act than if we went to our neighbour's house and demanded all of his money and jewellery. As English philosopher Edmund Burke once said, “It is necessary only for the good man to do nothing for evil to triumph.”

I am not suggesting a vigilante approach to law enforcement, which is just one more form of lawlessness that Guyana does not need. Our action needs to come by way of a national mandate from the citizens to the government for immediate action toward crime reduction.

Minister of Home Affairs, Gail Teixeira, said this week that she was proud that the police solve 51 percent of crime, yet no murders of business people have been solved. She told the business people to beef up internal security; the fact is we do not get killed in our office. Horrible murders and robberies make the news for a day or two, yet no one goes to trial.

If the police cannot so much as stop someone from littering or desecrating our surroundings, how will they ever be able to stop the more heinous criminals? Moreover, if we do not pay our police force more than $20,000 - 30,000 a month, how do we expect to recruit and maintain a viable force - much less stamp out the internal corruption?

The government continues to try to solve serious issues like this one with a band-aid, which shows their lack of understanding of how to run a country. Crime is directly tied to poverty and national economics. In fact, for every business-person murdered, the further we fall into the permanent grasps of the criminals.

Rather than battling the real enemies of our country, the criminals, this administration has spent more time wrestling with viable businesses over mere pettiness – business that could help our nation. Now we are at a point of desperation.

If the current government cannot clean up the streets, then it is time to get a government that can – and will. There are but a few months for this situation to turn around and for the current administration to prove itself capable of restoring order in proper fashion – that is, without the use of illegal means such as death squads. Casting a vote for an impotent government simply seals our fate to a life of crime and death.

Does anyone really think the world will come to Guyana for the World Cup if even the citizens of this country are afraid to be here? Assuredly, all over the world people are watching Guyana right now to see if we are able to host such a significant event. And be assured Mr. Jagdeo, all of Guyana is watching you to see what you will do next. Will you take the necessary steps to insure the life and liberty of your constituents? Will your administration be able to stop the violent trend of criminal activity that plagues our lives? Guyana , all of Guyana and the world, awaits your reply.

Political Intimidation, a Putrid Stench in our Democratic Nation

In a true democracy, there is no question whatsoever of who is in charge – the people. The government may not like it when the people disagree with a decision the administration makes, but it is understood that the people are the boss and the government is simply an instrument by which to employ and maintain the democratic state.

As such, there is no tug-of-war for power because the government knows its place – and should it forget its place, the people are quick to send a reminder by way of the voting booth. Any power struggle that does take place in such democracies is usually between the politicians themselves, which also serves as a benefit to the constituency since this type of competition provides even more wariness of political intimidation.

However, this notion of democracy seems to have been lost in Guyana . In fact, if a citizen publicly disagrees with the government of Guyana , retribution is expected in short time. Imagine the lunacy! A person is hired for a position (the government) and when reprimanded by the boss (the people) the hireling then intimidates the boss into silence. How preposterous!

Appallingly, this is exactly the type of behaviour taking place on a daily basis in Guyana . We have businesses losing contracts because they have publicly disagreed with the government. There are publications that are either being sued or financially threatened into submission. Talk show hosts are being silenced and even letter writers to the daily newspapers are being targeted.

The government's position is clear – the citizens are not to voice their dissention. They are telling us to either shut up on our own accord or they will shut us up. How utterly repugnant! Any true child of democracy should find this type of behaviour vile and abhorrent.

The idea of free speech is a basic right in a democracy. It is the right to voice dissent against the government without fear of retribution. In other words, any citizen should be able to publicly voice their qualms about the government, specific politicians, the administration, the president and the actions of any person serving in a position paid for by the people without expecting revenge from that person or position.

This is not the case in Guyana . In fact, when one speaks out against the government here, reprisal can and should be expected. This is common knowledge. It is also a putrid stench in our democratic nation.

There is no doubt that the government of Guyana needs to be put back in its place – and quickly before even more citizens find themselves out of business, being sued for speaking out against the government - or worse. We cannot be naïve. If the people continue to allow this type of behaviour from their government, it will only lead to far worse intimidation – which is a dictatorship, not a democracy.

There are many reasons why those in power here in Guyana can use intimidation to silence the very people they are supposed to be serving. The first and foremost reason is because the people have allowed it. We are not a timid people by any means, but we have been put through the proverbial wringer politically and are prone to turning a blind eye to injustice because we feel there is no way to stop it.

Another reason the government feels it can get away with such atrocious behaviour is because it is banking on re-election, regardless of their evil ways simply because they know their constituency fears government-condoned racial violence more than they fear the loss of their businesses. Such apprehensions may not be substantiated, yet the fear exists nonetheless.

The citizens may not be happy with the actions of the reigning government, but they figure as long as they keep their mouths shut, they should be just fine. They believe they are choosing the lesser of two evils. However, this thought process could not be more wrong. Any government robbing its citizens of their freedoms should be fired. If the alternative is just as bad, then it is up to the citizens to create another viable solution – not to hand their freedoms over to corruption on a silver platter.

It is time to remind the government who the real boss is – and it is NOT THEM. We are the bosses and they serve us. If these civil servants refuse to comply, then fire them and hire a new government that will conform to democratic standards. This is how it is done in every other democratic nation and we should expect no less in our own.

We can no longer allow the government to squelch the brightest and most innovative people of our country simply because they know enough to question the wrong actions of those in office. These people are the very foundation on which our nation can prosper. The longer the government is allowed to frustrate the noble goals of Guyana 's best minds, the longer we will live in squalor and deprivation.

It is time to take back our nation by demanding a servant attitude from those we hire to run our country.

This is not a revolution spurred by violence; we have seen more than enough bloodshed in our country. This is a reformation of the mind, a rebellion of the status quo that leaves us in poverty and a revolution of a righteous spirit.

Is our spirit strong enough to stand against these assaults on our freedoms? Oh, yes it is! Truly we have been beaten down by the very ones we hired to help us, but we can rise strong and be able to extract from our government that which is expected. Furthermore, take heart, my countrymen and women, for we have democracy on our side.

These intimidators seek power, but they have no influence unless we confer it to them. Our desires are far nobler. We want justice, prosperity and true democracy without the hindrances of fear and intimidation. Such a government only impedes our quest for a better nation – as Guyanese history has proven.

Political intimidation is a crime and only the criminally-minded employ such behaviour. This is not the type of people we want running our nation and it is time to demand that justice reigns in our country instead of corruption. Sons and daughters of Guyana , will you stand up and take your place in the revolution? Will you don your amour of justice and democracy to dethrone the corruption that devastates your land? Guyana , the sweet land of your birth, awaits your reply.

A Practical Plan for Guyana’s Poverty

In addressing the issue of poverty in Guyana, there seems to be a severe lack of ideas for a practical plan of action that would address the scant conditions under which so many thousands of Guyanese live every single day or to curb the progressive state of poverty in our country.

The continued state of poverty and the repercussions of this condition, such as crime and migration, are constant reminders of how the current administration is simply biding time until the next elections with the hope of hoodwinking the people into once again believing they will better the country. It is hard to believe there is even a real understanding of the issue at hand.

Case in point, the recent Executive Summary of the 2005 Poverty Reduction Strategy Progress Report (released June) stated, “Other issues presented different challenges for the Government. First, political instability exacerbated by pockets of organized and violent crime persist and must not be allowed to derail Guyana’s development agenda.”

This statement is telling of how little policy makers understand the poor. Truly, if those charged with the task of dealing with this issue grasped the meagre and humble circumstances under which the poor live - even just a tad - then they would also understand that most political instability and organized and violent crime is a direct product of poverty and can most times be curbed by simply helping those in poverty acquire respectable means by which to make a living. Yet this type of logic seems to escape the very ones who conducted these studies to examine the state of poverty in our country.

Indeed, without a comprehensive plan that speaks to this issue, Guyana has no effective development strategy at all because singling out one portion of the population for advancement while ignoring the others is counterproductive and useless. Further, if a programme is not instituted soon that would counter the effects of poverty in our rural areas, we may soon see the same type of chaos and criminal atrocities that plague sub-Saharan Africa as a result of their own extreme poverty.

It is difficult to understand the plight of the poor when one does not live in poverty. To make such an assumption is akin to a vibrant and healthy person attempting to understand the complaints of an ailing or dying person. There is simply very little possibility of identification between such drastic worlds. However, lacking the ability to identify does not morally excuse the healthy person from helping the sick. Neither are the well off excused from helping the poor. In the case of Guyana, it is also a matter of national health and evolution.

First and foremost, the poor must be given the tools needed to better their living conditions. This statement is most certainly easier said than done considering the many obstacles that hinder even the delivery of these tools, much less the continued sustainment. However, it is because of obstacles such as fear, lack of financing and apathy that poverty has grown into such a complex and persistent challenge for our country.

For example, education is the one tool that can help any person rise from poverty and stake a claim on a life of plenty. However, in agricultural communities, education often takes a backseat to farm work or a much-needed extra income as a farm labourer. This is true for children and adults alike. The need for money is constant and supersedes all other needs, including education. When this occurs from generation to generation and from house to house, the result is a community severely lacking in the most important tool that will help to fight poverty. There is no doubt that without a solid education there is no future for Guyana’s children in today’s world.

Mandatory education through secondary schooling should, of course, be standard. Enforcement of such a requirement is often tricky, especially when the parents are often willing, or at least passive, participants to delinquency. However, if the children and the country hope for a better future, school attendance must be compulsory. Access to tutoring should also be available. This is one aspect that can be provided by the community at little or no cost for implementation. Statistics show that when parents and neighbours participate in the educational process, the success rate increases exponentially. Tutors from within the community can put a personal touch on education and provide the children with a role model and constant encouragement for academic success.

Beyond secondary schools, educational centres should be established locally for career training and/or higher education. These schools will need to be highly subsidized with monies from outside the community for the first few decades to ensure early success. Education provides the necessary knowledge, and therefore empowerment, the rural areas need to assist in growth beyond agriculture alone and into the development of their own businesses outside of farming. Once the community becomes more economically independent based on new businesses established internally, it can then begin financing the schools on its own or with far less subsidies from outside the community.

Childcare is often an issue for young mothers who attempt to gain an education, thus a reliable system should be developed to help these women break the cycle of poverty. This could entail something as simple as instituting a programme that allows mothers to swap babysitting with each other during their respective class times. If the schools provide classes at multiple times, a programme like is sure to succeed.

Childcare can also be addressed if the schools budget it into operating expenses and hire childcare help from within the community. This will also provide a steady source of income for a few families in the area and help mothers who must work all day and cannot spare the time to swap babysitting.

Education is an essential element for growth and advancement; therefore we must solve the problems that prevent the poor from getting a proper education to see a change in the country’s poverty level. This is as true in the rural areas of our country as it is in the urban areas. The revitalization of these poor communities, and the dissolution of criminal acts perpetuated by poverty, depends greatly on education.

Another way to help raise the standard of living in our poor communities is by raising the standard of the housing situation. Thousands of Guyanese live in mere shacks. Here is how the Website for Habitat for Humanity Guyana describes the housing situation in our country:

In many areas, families endure leaking roofs and woefully inadequate space, with lack of privacy and sanitary facilities such as toilets or running water only the beginning of their challenges. They live in weak structures, many on the verge of collapse, with rotten walls, rusty and curled roof sheets or parts of the roof missing, and holes in the floor covered with cardboard. If windows exist, they are often covered with cardboard, zinc or wood. Families with four to 10 members frequently live in single-room houses, with either no toilet, or a toilet and kitchen outdoors.

If only a few dozen Guyanese families lived in these conditions it would be unacceptable, but the sad truth is that this description is reality for thousands of our countrymen and women.

Providing adequate housing is a huge task to undertake, yet it is one that must be addressed. Funds for such a work are not easy to come by, yet there are ways to raise the necessary funds and see significant progress. Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit organization that helps construct houses for the poor worldwide. According to HFH, the Guyana affiliate has built 291 houses since 1995. This is the type of organization that should be at the forefront of our fight against poverty. They are always looking for volunteers to help build the next house. The more Guyanese who assist in this type of effort, the more houses that will go up and the more shacks that will fall forever.

Not everyone can spare an extra dollar to finance the construction of new homes, although there are some who can, but every single Guyanese can and should invest their time and labour to help with such a noble effort as building homes for their neighbours. This is also a great way for churches to become active members of their communities and help the poor at the same time. The obvious goal is to increase the standard of living in these poor communities and thereby increase the overall national image and well being of Guyana.

When as a country we each start taking the initiative to move beyond apathy to affect progress and reform to the stagnant cycle of poverty, we will see a true “development agenda” that will actually work for the people. Are you willing to volunteer as a tutor for a child, or to baby-sit a young mother’s child while she attends school or help build a home for your poor neighbour? Can you spare just a few hours a week for the future of your country? Do you know how vital your participation and sacrifice is to the future of your country? Yet again, Guyana expectantly awaits your reply.

A New VISION: Creating a Viable Legacy for the next Generation

History is the best example of how long the human memory can be. We can sit in our comfortable homes in the 21st century AD and analyse the reign of Julius Caesar who was born in 1st century BC. We have a propensity to over-analyse with the hope of not repeating the same mistakes of those before us.

Does it do any good? If we learn from our past, yes it does a great amount of good. However, if we gaze history full in the face and comprehend the errors of our ancestors without changing, then we only waste our time in studying history.

Guyana’s children study her history every day. They are expected to know the good and the bad so they can identify with the national history that connects every citizen. But will it help them lead the country any better when it is their turn? Did our history lessons help us lead the country better than the generation before us?

I have recently been contemplating the legacy of this generation. I wonder if Guyanese 40 years from now will have a reason to show their appreciation to today’s leaders or if they will use our generation as one more excuse to justify the continuing sad state of the nation. If the latter, then it will surely be a well deserved critique.

Forty years ago Guyana was on the brink of the most potential ever to that point in history. The future held nothing but promise and we were ready to make a beautiful country with our own hands. We had a clean slate and could write our own remarkable history. Unfortunately, there has been nothing remarkable to record in the last 40 years.

Our predecessors failed us and left us with a legacy of racism, dictatorial governance and poverty. Will our legacy be the same?

The issues that plague Guyana have been analysed to death. We have debated, debunked and declared, but we are still defunct, debased and defeated in the eyes of the rest of the world. We need a new VISION.

We can use the next 40 years to build a substantial and viable legacy and leave our children a country for which they are proud. All it takes is a little initiative and a lot of hard work. There is one more very important factor needed to transform Guyana for the better – change. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones and toss the old system in the trash heap where it belongs.

It is with this in mind that I propose a new organization to promote change and demand a new way of life for Guyana. Apathy has been our downfall. This is the first necessary change if we are to see our country develop. The change cannot be in just one or two Guyanese; it must be the entire nation – one strong voice demanding progress and reform. I have a VISION of a beautiful future.

In unity we can call for a new government, demand a healthy economy and change our country for the better. It is the only way to offer a legacy worthy of the children of Guyana. Even if no one else in the world sees our worth, we still know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are a strong, intelligent and innovative people. We know we are capable of so much more. The untapped potential in our country is brimming at the rim and just waiting for the opportunity to bubble over into the rest of the world. We are inspired daily by this knowledge – it is what keeps us going.

A myriad of new strategies have been proposed to no avail since none have been implemented – thanks to those who have put us on this crazy merry-go-round in the first place. We go round and round. Someone says, “Stop this merry-go-round and let me off”! The leaders say, “Sure” – as they tell the technician to go even faster.

This is a strategic point in history. We can choose to end this crazy cycle or to allow our children to inherit the same legacy that was passed down to us. Quite frankly, I’m not all that happy with the legacy handed to me and would like to give my children something more valuable; I want a country full of success.

Dare I say there is a better way? It seems there have been countless attempts at creating an economic and political system that actually works for Guyana. Dare I propose a better way to infuse life into our limp economy, new techniques for a stronger infrastructure and a systematic approach at an educational system that will prepare Guyana’s children to be competitive in the career of their choosing regardless of where they live? Not only do I dare, but I ask others to help me as well.

We are Visionaries Inspiring Success In Our Nation – VISION.

The dynamics of our country are like none other in the world. We get swept away in an emotional whirlwind every time a politician yells racism. We sit idly by as the government runs our country to their liking with total disregard to what is best for us and what we want.

If we are serious about leaving a pleasing legacy for our children, then we need to start by demanding change right now. There is no more time to wait around for the government to change; they have made it abundantly clear this week that they see no reason to change at all. But you and I see the reasons every single day.

We see the squalor and the lawlessness. We see the fear in our children’s eyes when they look at the front pages of our newspapers. It is the same fear we lived with daily as we grew up. Every day our headlines scream of death, poverty and an insensitive government. I want to give the children hope and the only way that can happen is if we demand change.

When opportunity meets potential the outcome is dynamic. When an intelligent child is provided a proper education, success is the only expectation. Likewise, when a country brimming with this much potential makes its own opportunities and refuses to be held down anymore by the unseen forces of social and cultural expectation and dictatorial rule, the only outcome is success.

Will you work as a visionary for our country? Can you see the same beautiful VISION for Guyana’s future? What legacy do you want to leave the next generation? Guyana, with headlines blaring, awaits your reply.