Citizens should ponder the meaning of democracy

Dear Editor,
May 2015 ushered in a new coalition Government under an APNU/AFC manifesto. Over three years have passed, and two clear truths have emerged: the manifesto promises have fallen flat; and the pillars of our democracy are under threat.
In old parlance, the first estate (the Church or Clergy) remains independent and largely outside the realm. The APNU Government has assumed the position of the nobility (the second estate), and rules over its citizens like common subjects (the third estate). The fourth estate (the media) has been muzzled. Threats to the fifth estate are present.
Elections, democracy and capitalism go together. APNU was elected by the citizens of Guyana, and while questions are still pending in the court, one takes it as the properly and legitimately elected Government. The Opposition has taken up its seats in Parliament, and has accepted the results. Democracy, however, has seen some erosion; which, left unchecked, can see Guyana returning to the dark days of the PNC. Capitalism has found itself at the crossroads, the Government has inserted itself on almost every aspect of the people’s lives, resulting in the simple and stark reality that the private sector lacks confidence. Other than oil and other investments from the PPP pipeline, no new investments have been evident since May 2015; and despite relatively low oil prices, capital flight pressure is evident.
Allow me to delve into the key institutions that make up a democracy: a properly functioning Parliament; an independent and fair judiciary; a professional and independent Police Force; and a free and impartial media.
Our Parliament is not what is was of yesterday under the PPP. It is incontrovertible that the Speaker is biased in favour of the ruling Government. The ability of the Opposition to ask questions and seek information has been muzzled. Parliamentary sittings are less frequent, and much shorter. APNU has clearly abused its majority, and, in so doing, has stifled the voice of the Opposition from this important medium of democracy.
Juxtapose this against the UK House of Commons. We are part of the Commonwealth, but the vestiges of its good governance increasingly receive lip service under this Parliament in Guyana.
Do we have an independent and free judiciary? There is a gallant attempt to assert some semblance of this after considerable erosion. Recall our Attorney General threatening one of our High Court Judges; adverse decisions against the Government being opening criticised; judges and magistrates fearing that adverse decisions against the Government would result in recrimination; appointments to the Judiciary being increasingly stacked in favour of party supporters; and there being a sense of Government reach or influence of the judiciary being much greater than what had obtained under the PPP.
As for an independent and professional Police Force, any person would tell you the Government calls the shots; the Commissioner of Police (ag) is toothless. There is clear political influence, as is evident with the abuse of SOCU, the most recent foray with Minister Broomes, and the loss of supernumerary status for one of the security guards in the recent fracas.
Meanwhile, crime continues to climb, and our citizens increasing fear for their physical safety and security. The recent rumour that the Minister of Legal Affairs is taking over the AML functions is an indecent and vulgar assault on the Guyanese citizens, and is another clear example of the abuse from the politicisation of duties that should, by any reasonable-minded person, be performed by independent professionals who are free and clear of any political bias.
As for a free and independent media, the comparison between the APNU and PPP is like night to day. Despite an overwhelming abundance of content, attacks on the Government are timid and scaled back. Compared to the PPP, there was no shortage of media overreach, sensationalising of information, and a clear anti-PPP bias. The opposite is now clearly the case of the day.
The state apparatus has become unabashedly an instrument for APNU propaganda. As for the free media, the contents of their publications reflect a fear of retribution. A grenade was launched; is it a coincidence that we have a muzzled media?
And so, citizens, as you consider our democracy, consider what determines it. Like a frog in water slowly being heated, do not discover that when you want to express your voice it is too late. A country of wealth is in the waiting, but the pillars of democracy must be taken back and secured. Only with these prerequisites in place can we feel that confidence and safety to invest and spend, and in so doing, create prosperity and growth. Capitalism (economic prosperity) is an outcome of western democracy. Strangle the latter and the former will suffer. An APNU Guyana is a classic case in point.

Sincerely,
A Grant