Taking Charge

By Peter R. Ramsaroop

The current political climate in our nation, makes it ripe for change. We, the people want change, we want it desperately, but we are still not sure what kind of change it is we want or even how to attain that change.

Historically, when the people of a nation demand change it is because they have come to a common consensus that their best interests have not been the primary consideration of the government, therefore, it is time to take matters into their own hands.

In the Feudal System during the Middle Ages, the rich and royalty lived pampered lives on the backs of the common man – who had no hope of acquiring wealth or status. No opportunity for betterment was afforded to the vassal such as education or property ownership.

Further, the fees for land usage and taxes levied against the commoners positioned them in a never-ending state of want and poverty. However, one by one the commoners of each of these countries took a unified stand against the cruelty imposed on them and demanded a judicious government and a democratic state.

What was the rallying point for the pheasants who long to escape their heavy-handed lords? They rallied together with the hope of a better life and a bright future for themselves and their children. With hope as their rallying point, sweeping change was realised throughout Europe.

Today in Europe, there are still the rich and the poor, though the chasm between these two classes is not as deep and wide as it was during the days of Feudalism. More importantly, there is also the middle class that makes up the majority of the population. This middle class is also the ruling class now and uses its vote to influence government and legislation.

Every single one of us Guyanese will acknowledge that something has to change in our nation. However, to this point we cannot seem to unify long enough to see significant change come about. If we cannot unify as one people, we will never be strong enough to usher in a better life and a bright future.

The nation’s short attention span and transient memory allows the politicians to wreak havoc on our minds by inciting incidents that hit at our weakest areas – racism and fear. We allow these twisted minds to string our emotions along and give little or no thought to the consequences of falling into their trap once again.

Will we forever be a country divided by our weaknesses? If so, we will never be strong enough to usher in the change we so desperately want and need. It is as if we never learn from our own history. We cannot continue to allow ourselves to be governed by these weaknesses.

It is time to find our strength in the commonalities we share to build a strong and cohesive force by which to demand change. We need a rallying point. The key question is what will rally our nation to stand together as one people? If we are so blind to our own history, perhaps “We Guyana”, can learn something from today’s history lesson on Feudalism.

The politically trivial and economically poor vassals of the Middle Ages found their rallying point and achieved monumental change that has benefited millions of people even to this day. These great commoners did not have power or wealth on their side, but they did have large numbers and an undying hope.

Hope is the force that will unify us as One Nation. Hope will give us the courage to cast aside our racism and fear. Hope will empower us to bind us together as One People. It will be our rallying point. When we look at our flag, we will see hope. When we sing our National anthem, we will feel hope rise up within us as we overcome our trepidation to move as a single force toward One Destiny of greatness.

With hope as its’ rallying point, “We Guyana” could rise above the petty differences and terminal weaknesses that have kept us divided and, consequently, rendered us perpetually incapable of achieving change. If we refuse to succumb to our fears, and instead allow hope to rule our actions, perhaps we will find the courage to proudly declare with a clear conscience and sincere heartfelt conviction that we are One Nation and One People with One Destiny. This is our desire. This is our dream.

Currently, our future – our destiny – looks no brighter than did the future of the pheasants of France before the French Revolution. However, after centuries of Feudalism, the masses took advantage of the precarious political climate in France to demand change – and the result was phenomenal.

Likewise, the masses of our nation should not neglect the opportunity to take advantage of the existing unsteadiness of the current dominant, and ineffective, political party. If ever there was a time to dethrone these entities – it is now. The nation’s current political climate affords us the opportunity to demand change and expect phenomenal results.

Our loathsome past hangs around our necks like a heavy weight that could drown all hope. It is time to throw off the weights of racism and fear. It is time to hope again. The commoners of old have proven that with hope as our rallying point - poverty can be eradicated and the chasm between the rich and the poor can be bridged.

Why should our taxes and the fees (bribes) required by the lords of Guyana build mansions for the “royalty” while the rest of the country lives in squalor? Our future should not be at their mercy. In fact, their future is in our hands and it is time to turn the tables of power in our nation.

Down with the lords! Down with corruption! Let the people unite with hope as their beacon. Let us march as One People - to the beat of unity - into the streets and proclaim a new era of progress and prosperity for Guyana. Long live Democracy! Long live the People in happiness and peace! We are Taking Charge.

When Governments are unprepared, victims suffer twice

By Peter Ramsaroop

Hurricane Katrina is a perfect example of the consequences of an ill-prepared response system.

The citizens of New Orleans were first victims of a natural disaster, and then they were made to suffer again as victims of the government agency charged to respond to such disasters, but which unscrupulously ignored all of the warning signs of impending disaster.

The result was a great loss of precious life, homes washed away by the waters and businesses destroyed. The destruction was so complete that whole neighbourhoods were completely washed away and will never be restored to their former glory.

There are children who watched as a parent was swept away in the torrent and parents who lost their children as the hungry waves swallowed them. These people will never be the same. They will suffer physically, mentally and economically for decades to come.

All of this suffering could have been circumvented had the government seriously considered the counsel of the local officials in New Orleans who repeatedly warned of the catastrophic impact a severe hurricane could have on the city because, due to the dams and levees, it was sinking lower and lower below sea level every year.

The failure to move people out of harm's way beforehand left tens of thousands stranded in the path of a vile storm. Afterwards, the reaction time for rescuing these victims was extremely slow and, when action did finally take place, it was far too little considering the vast number of lives that were abandoned in a flooded city without food or water.

Will Guyana follow this dreadful example, or will we learn from it?

With an abundance of worldwide natural disasters this year, it would behove of every government to test their disaster preparedness strategies – that is, if they have one. Which causes one to wonder what type of strategy Guyana has for such disasters.

We haven't been short on our own natural disasters this year. We started this year with flooding and, as the year nears its end, we are dealing with even more floods. Our seawalls are failing and homes are being overcome by the waves.

And what would happen if the so-called Bird Flu does in fact evolve to the point of human transmission? If Guyana is not prepared, we could die by the thousands just like the birds all over Asia and Europe . The government does seem to be taking this situation seriously, though whether we are equipped to handle it is still to be determined.

It seems the international community at large is taking a second look at their own ability to be prepared for catastrophic events.

The US reported this week that they are even taking a second look at how well equipped they are to handle a large-scale earthquake in California . Seismologists have been forecasting a significant earthquake for some time, therefore the federal government cannot say they were not warned of impending disaster.

Further the US government cannot afford another blundered response in the face of disaster, so they are taking the necessary steps to avoid another such disastrous situation. Hurricane Katrina was a wake-up call for the US that has changed their approach to disaster preparedness.

The subsequent Hurricane Rita proved that the US had learnt their lesson and every possible measure was taken to protect the lives of those in the path of the storm.

This is the same type of proactive initiative that all countries – yes, even the smaller and poorer countries like Guyana - should employ.

After a thorough assessment of past disasters and the likelihood of future catastrophes, Guyana needs to anticipate every form of calamity, be it a natural disaster or otherwise, and take the necessary steps to ensure the ongoing safety of its citizens.

A Crisis Management Plan should be in place that can be initiated in a moment's notice should disaster strike.As is obvious from current events in Pakistan and the US , it is vital to have a plan in place that will provide a quick and tailored response for each possible calamity.

Another wise step would be to create and distribute a readiness document detailing what steps should be taken by the citizens during the most probable disasters, which in our case is most likely a significant flood.

The document should specify the dangers that should be avoided in a given situation, such as driving in moving water or being near to electrical outlets.

A list of supplies should also be included to help victims who might be stranded without access to food or water for several days.

If a family is stranded in their home and waiting for rescue, a ready supply of food and water will help assure their survival.

A solid and reliable infrastructure plays an integral role in being prepared for any disaster as well.

By shoring up our seawalls, having a sewer system that is capable of moving water quickly, and introducing a pump system that could drive the water back out of the city and residential areas, we can prepare now for the preservation of life in the unknown future.

There is no reason why an entire country should be flying by the seat of our pants when it comes to predictable disasters. Being prepared can save money on property damage, but more importantly it can save lives. A car can be replaced and a home can be rebuilt, but a life lost can never be replaced.

This is all pertinent information applicable to future preparation; however our most pressing issue right now is to help those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by the floods. Those families need a safe place to stay until they can get their lives back together.

There are people right here in our own country who have lost everything. There are men, women and children who have no place to call home any more. Our hearts go out to these people. They are not distant victims of a ravaging storm, they are Guyanese – they are our people. We need to reach out and help them.

The numerous jaded hearts of our country sometimes find it easier to care for a distant soul in misery than to be bothered with our neighbour next door. This ought not to be. We need to take care of each other and extend a loving arm of help and aid when Guyanese are hurting.

With this in mind, I propose that we start a fund to provide assistance to the victims of this recent flooding. They will need clothes and food immediately, but long-term aid should include whatever it takes to rebuild the homes and lives of our fellow countrymen and women.

We can all give at least a small amount to help others who have lost everything. If I promise to do my part and you promise to do your part, the victims of this flood can return to their normal lives as quickly as possible.

The Choice is Ours – Do we have the Courage?

by Peter R. Ramsaroop

For several decades there have been two significant forces to be reckoned with in Guyana – the PNC and the PPP.

Often with a note of indifference and very little regard for the people, these two forces have decided the fate of hundreds of thousands of Guyanese and more times than not, that outcome has been devastation and destitution. Over the same period, both parties have attempted to reform themselves but have kept reverting to their old style politics.

Can we count the number of people who fled our shores to escape poverty and daily autocratic rule? Can you remember the lives that were cut short because of racist politics? Do we remember the faces of those who died, and continue to die, at the wicked hands of rampant crime that cannot be controlled by the very ones we trust with our safety?

With each election we hope for change. We hold tightly to our optimism, so tight that our knuckles turn white, with the anticipation that maybe – just maybe - this time will be different. Maybe this time the government will do something drastic that will help our country. Maybe this time they will stop the blame game and act responsibly with their power to build a future for our nation.

We grasp at any minuscule morsel of hope these two forces have to offer and try to trust them with our lives one more time because we don't have any other choice. In the end, if one is presented with two choices that are equally vile in their own right, there really is no choice at all.

What is left for the Guyanese then? Are we to continue down this same road of poverty and death? To perform the same act over and over and expect a different outcome is nothing short of insanity. Even more, we feel we are acting honourably in this insanity because these two forces have led us to believe that we must align ourselves to one or the other and to do otherwise is betrayal of country, character and even race.

We have been led to believe our race determines our vote and any departure from this predetermined supposition is a betrayal of race – and how can one betray his/her own race? Is not the betrayal of race the same as the betrayal of self? And how can the treachery of self be noble or honourable?

This is all pure drivel. No, it is more than rubbish - it is manipulative and controlling. We long so desperately to believe that something good is going to happen someday that we are willing to listen to the calculated promises of the same forces over and over, even when we know full well that the outcome will always be the same – more desperation.

Our naivety is not noble or honourable - it is pathetic and shameful. We are not so simple that this fact escapes us, yet we continue on because there has never been another choice that seemed to be a true alternative to this wretched cyclic state. Then why have we not created an alternative?

If the product of these two dominant forces has been a wrecked country and families torn apart by thousands of miles, then why have we allowed them to continue in their roles as leaders? So they can lead us to more destitution and desperation?

People everywhere are asking about the Guyana Third Force. They want to know what it is and who it is. In practicality, there is a group of Guyanese coming together to form a solid alliance to stand up against the other two forces. However, in theory the Third Force is so much more than that.

Simply put, the Third Force is you and it is me. The only way to finally rid ourselves of this wretchedness created by these other two forces is to do it ourselves by creating a viable Third Force. We are each a part of the Third Force.

Every Guyanese who has realised the insanity of the last 40 years is a part of this Third Force. Every citizen who wants to see significant economic progress is a part of the Third Force. Every family that works long hours just to pay for after school education because of the failing school system, who cannot afford to buy a car or find a decent paying job is a part of the Third Force.

Meanwhile these long dominant forces are saying the new Third Force is no threat to them. This may well be right now, but the force grows stronger by the day as more and more Guyanese recognise that this is their chance to stand up for their country and to protect it from the same forces that have ravaged it for so long.

The Third Force is a new force that wants to turn our national naivety into an intelligent and strategic plan for growth and progress. It is not that we have given up on our dreams; we have just decided to stop waiting for the other two forces to make our dreams come true.

The Third Force is made up of Guyanese who have chosen to accept their responsibility as citizens and are decidedly moving in a direction that will reshape our future into something of which we can all be proud.

There will be some who still feel they must continue to honour that misplaced loyalty demanded by the other two forces, and this is understandable to some degree because it is hard to make the necessary mental shifts that will help them move beyond the current ideology and believe there is a better life for Guyana .

However, there are so many who have already made that shift and are biting at the bit to stand with their fellow countrymen and women to proclaim the start of a new era in Guyana.

Therefore, the real question is not who or what is the Third Force. The real question is whether enough of the nation can come together in unity to fashion a new, strong force for the good of the nation. The next question is whether you are a part of the Third Force. The other is, “Why not give ourselves a chance in 2006; simply, why not.”

Why not Guyana , the one who truly deserves our loyalty. We have the courage to move our nation forward. God Bless.

The Information We Deserve

by Peter Ramsaroop

Lately there has been much ado about the privatisation of Guyana 's government-owned media.

Politicians and commentators alike are saying it is time this democratic nation finally does away with one of the last vestiges of autocratic rule that remain from the years of dictatorship.

This past week we celebrated another year of fair and free elections. There are still many items that remain untouched in our progression toward a people-centred government – one of which is the privatisation of all media.

The primary thought behind a press that has no ties or obligations to the government is that of true transparency and accountability.

Democracy demands the government to be accountable to the people who put them in office. However, the only way this can happen is if the people know the truth about what the government is doing.

A press that is beholden to the government, especially for its very life through pay cheques for the staff and the ongoing production of the news, is far less likely to point out the flaws and errors of those who pay their bills.

It stands to reason that state-run media will always be slanted in favour of the government, whether that government is deserving of that favour or not.

There are other factors to consider in our march toward democracy, for example, the sitting government will always have an unfair advantage during election times because they have ready access to numerous media outlets to deliver their campaign platform.

This advantage affords them far more opportunities for promoting their own ideas and information while the other parties must scrounge around for such opportunities.

Ideally, in a true democracy, every potential candidate has equal access to various means of letting the people know how they plan to help the country. Whether by television, paper or radio, there should be a level playing field for all candidates when campaigning for public office, regardless of financial constraints or popularity. This makes it a fair election.

If the people do not consider an election to be fair, then the person who assumes that position will not be regarded as credible or capable of carrying out his/her role as a public servant.

This is the type of situation that creates a charged political climate – something that could easily be avoided if all media were truly free and operated outside of the constraints of obligation and bias.

Government-owned media outlets will always be regarded as untrustworthy by default. It is assumed that news is filtered through a predetermined set of expectations, such as the promotion of - and never the denigration of – the government.

Letters to the editor are always suspect, the credibility of the information being provided will always be severely downplayed, and the entity takes on a superficial aura that is often scoffed at instead of respected.

In other words, the people view government media as one big advertisement for the party in power. What they want is a citizen's media where information comes from people just like them who are not opposed to being critical of the government.

It is far easier to trust a press that is not relying on a government signature to eat next week.

One could argue that, since there are other media outlets in Guyana that are indeed free, it is then acceptable to allow the government to have its own outlets. We have already demonstrated the flaw in this thought through the unfair advantage the government has when campaigning and the unreliability factor.

In short, Guyana can never expect anything negative about the government from the government – even if we have a right to know.

Therefore, we can only hold all information provided by these obligated outlets as suspect and unreliable because the government will never turn on itself.

As an aside, it is interesting to note that television stations have been shut down for operating within the context of a free press that has the ability to critique the government. This was done under the previously mentioned dictatorship, but it is highly questionable behaviour in a democratic country.

Governments within truly democratic countries do not have the right to shut down any radio or television station. The governments in these nations are criticised just as much or more than Guyana 's government, yet no such action is taken. And if it were, that government would see protests in the tens of thousands and would never find its way back to the people's hearts.

This is yet one more reason why government-owned media is so risky. Through its own outlets, the government attempts to set an industry-wide standard of no true critique.

When this standard is not met in lieu of the democratic standards, that of being a watchdog for the people, then the country is made to think such private outlets are acting as criminals, when instead they are acting in the best interest of the people.

It is wise to reflect on our history, celebrate our victories and take pride in our accomplishments. However, it should never be said that Guyana has neglected its responsibility to examine our foundational freedoms and closely inspect those areas that may still be attributed to another time when we were yoked to the will of a single individual.

Indeed, Guyana is ready to take the next step in egalitarianism by privatising those outlets owned by the government.

Though our freedom is relatively new and our economic development is only crawling along, we are well positioned to take substantial steps in the advancement of our democratic state.

Do we dare step into the next phase of freedom by expecting all media to be free? Do we really want to be just a little free? Or do we want to be encompassed on all sides and totally enveloped by freedom?

Guyana, made rich by the sunshine and lush by the rains, awaits your reply.

GuyExpo Displays Guyanese Entrepreneurial Spirit

by Peter R. Ramsaroop

The GuyExpo is over for another year. The booths have been packed up, the food has all been eaten and the vendors have all gone home. There can be no doubt that this Expo was a success. The business owners of our country were on proud display – and we certainly shined. With future changes in our investment climate such as tax free zones and cutting of the red tape, we will see this exhibition flourishing with thriving small and large businesses in both the domestic and international arena.

Giving credit where credit is due, the Minister of Tourism, Trade and Commerce, Hon. Manzoor Nadir and staff should be recognised for a smoothly operated GuyExpo and for the professionalism that accompanied the entire event. The adeptness embodied by this team alone was enough to make any Guyanese proud, but there was so much more in which each of us could revel.

Families came out together in full force to support the businesses of Guyana. In return, the businesses endowed them with free paraphernalia to remember their experience. With music playing and lights dancing, we celebrated the Guyanese entrepreneurial spirit.

What was especially noticeable about this entire event was the obvious lack of racist politics. Public and private vendors, as well as the attendees, all mingled and supported one another without the usual casting of aspersions and assumptions of ill will. In fact, it was quite evident that we were there as a nation – One People, One Nation, One Destiny at least at this event.

It truly did seem as if we were actually sharing a destiny. It was as if for this brief moment in time we all understood that our futures were connected and that our lives were intertwined. Indo-Guyanese, Afro-Guyanese and Amerindians - as well as the rest of our ethnic pool - came together to display their businesses and to support others in their quest for financial success.

The event also brought businesses from the private sector in direct contact with each other, providing ample opportunities for networking. This is an important activity in such a small country because it allows the private sector to brainstorm on partnerships, bounce ideas off of each other and dream of a day when Guyana is economically stable. These rare occasions are when strategies are formed that could grow businesses, start new companies and create new jobs. This is a good example what can be achieved if we develop a broad macro and micro economic strategy for our nation what we can truly achieved.

One more very important aspect of the GuyExpo is that it brings the private sector within earshot of the public sector. Partisan politics were forgotten for just a few days as we all worked together for the good of Guyana - and it was so good. If we want to see our nation develop a strong and thriving economy, there will need to be a lot more of this type of activity and a lot less of politics as usual. We also noticed the public sector on display with supporting activities for the private sector but also saw that the public sector were also trying to compete with the private sector in areas of non-traditional agriculture sector and other government run sectors such as sugar. These are the remaining areas that must be changed immediately in order for our private sector to demonstrate that we are ready for the challenge.

All of the support and working together at this year’s GuyExpo made one point abundantly clear; we as Guyanese can easily work alongside each other without the racial politics. If the powers that be were at all intuitive, there would be a clear acknowledgment of the need to steer our government into a direction is wholly inclusive of every race and more representative of our national demography.

This event was truly insightful in many ways, but the most obvious revelation is that we are not as divided as the government would have us think. Certainly there may still be factions here and there, but the overall population works together each and every day without incident. We treat each other as equals and we respect each other as individuals – regardless of race.

There is no credible reason that our nation should still have a divided government, especially one that is divided by race. Were we divided on issues; we would be just like any other country in the world. Instead we are politically divided by race and forced to maintain this reprehensible positioning by two parties that really seem to have lost touch with the people and the fact that we have moved beyond these racial barriers in our everyday lives.

The feeling of celebration and merriment at the GuyExpo was intoxicating and long overdue for a people who incessantly struggle financially through even the most ordinary days. There needs to be additional events such as this to help boost the moral fabric of our society and to ensure that families have more places to go and spend time with their children.

This year’s GuyExpo demonstrated that when potential meets opportunity, there is a definite possibility for a dynamic reaction. The businesses of Guyana could actually feel the support of the consumers and the government. This is a notion that should continue throughout the year, especially where the government is concerned. The more businesses that are bolstered by the government, the more that will succeed and the stronger our economy will become.

However, we cannot stop at just the proffered support for national businesses. There needs to be a well-designed campaign to entice foreign investors to our shores as well. There is only so much money to pass around from one business to another in Guyana, but if we bring in money from other countries, then we all benefit from an influx of even more money.

When foreign investors come into a country, they hire locals to run the company – which means steady paying jobs for the citizens. These citizens then spend that money on utilities, food, clothes, entertainment, etc., which helps the bottom line of the national businesses. It also helps to curbs poverty and crime by cutting out the origin of these national woes – severe lack.

Guyana needs to concentrate even more on large macro foreign direct investments. Perhaps it would be a good strategy to start having an expo that would highlight foreign investors and potential foreign investors. This type of an event could pull in the serious entrepreneurs from outside of the country with the hope of keeping them around to invest into Guyana.

We should also ensure that the ever-abundant red tape that the President said he would cut is actually being slashed for national and foreign investors alike. If it is, then there are so many opportunities that are just around the corner for Guyana such as the bridge to Brazil, the new ethanol technology being provided and even possible oil reserves if the search proves to be successful.

If we can just translate the spirit of the GuyExpo into our everyday lives as consumers, businesspersons and public servants, it is clear that we have what it takes to make Guyana a country that will demand the attention of the world. The population now awaits the accountability of funds from the Expo and how and where the funds were spent.

Can we move beyond our sordid past to permanently embrace the spirit of the GuyExpo for the good of our country? Guyana, strong and proud Guyana, awaits our reply.