One of the challenges in governing a divided country like ours is: how’d you please “the people” – when the people don’t see themselves as “a people”? Good thing this problem isn’t confined to our dear mudland. In fact, it’s the default situation in the world, in countries, villages, and even in families!! Remember when mom favoured her favourite son over you?!! And that’s the rub, innit?? Even when the Government tries to be even-handed, we’ll still compare and get bent outta shape!!
So, it’s up to us citizens to sift out the fake news from the real news before getting our dander up. Now, don’t get your Eyewitness wrong; it doesn’t mean there’s no unfairness. NO ONE can be absolutely fair, even when trying!! And when it comes to governments, since most appointees are more concerned with filling their own pockets than the pockets (even the bellies!) of the people, you gotta pay great attention to what you’re being told; especially by whoever’s in Opposition – since it’s their job to poo-poo the Government’s performance.
But as we know to our cost – several riots, mass murders, and burning down of whole sections of our country, for starters – folks on the ground are all subject to what’s called “confirmation bias”: we hear what we wanna hear, especially in our Guyana. We’ve been poor for so long that we just can’t seem to keep our heads above water. It’s easiest to believe that Government’s helping only THEIR people, while WE stagnate or fall further behind.
Take a challenge – ANY challenge – say, on roads. If we’re honest, there ain’t a community where roads aren’t in the most horrendous condition. But we personally don’t go into EVERY community in Guyana, do we? Especially in areas where PEOPLE LIKE US aren’t living. So, when we’re told the Government’s fixing THEIR supporters’ roads, we get all bent out of shape!! And since Aug 2, 2020, when Granger reluctantly stepped aside, that’s all the PNC Opposition and their lackeys have been doing: inciting their supporters with daily harangues about them being neglected; and in our context, claiming explicitly that the Government’s RACIST!! In Guyana, of course, there’s no more incendiary charge than that!!
So, what does the Government do?? Well, for one, throw out facts of the Government’s interventions in Opposition strongholds – which in Guyana means African Guyanese-dominated areas, and trying to get locals involved!! But this has raised cries of “buying” people, and even more incendiary “slave catching”, from Opposition troglodytes!! Imagine that!!
From the beginning of democracy, when approval from the people was “bread and circus”, it was recognized that people gotta be given something!! So, why lie about it and provoke hostilities?? The ERC’s gotta be reconstituted to deal with the provocative harangues!!
…on banking
One of the other provocative claims the PNC Opposition’s been making for years under PPP governments is that banks discriminate against THEIR supporters on loans — implying the PPP’s responsible!! And that’s why they’re stagnating economically. But is this really true? Let’s look at some facts. After Burnham seized power in 1968, he NATIONALISED all banks. And for the next two decades, he gave out so many loans to his supporters that the Guyana National Cooperative Bank went bankrupt. Where did all that money go?
And when the PPP took over, and private banks re-entered the picture, wasn’t the Trini Republic Bank the biggest bank from then?? Were they controlled by the PPP? And then Banks DIH opened up Citizens Bank, was that PPP-controlled? We won’t even talk about Globe Trust!! And why didn’t the PNC between 2015 and 2020 accept applications to have an African-owned bank opened??
But Your Eyewitness is pleased that the PPP just arranged for the New Haven Bank to be opened. Let’s hear what the “problem” is now!!
…for wider war
Hassan Nasrallah, the revered and reviled longtime leader of Hezbollah, was killed on Friday in an Israeli airstrike. What this means is the Israeli genocide in Gaza would now be attempted in Lebanon.
Hai Allah!!
