People… and the Budget

The Govt themed their 2026 budget “Putting People First”. But immediately after the (marathon) presentation, the Opposition – led by the new LOO – claimed it was anything but!!! Now it’s expected the Opposition would oppose… Their name reminds them of what they’re all about, innit?!! But on something as granular and specific as a Budget – in which everything has a number – it’s quite possible to check the claims!! Of course, such comparisons are possibly based not only on opposing for opposing sake, but can represent different premises on what exactly Governments ought to be doing for the people. They call this the “Distributive Principle”. For example, the Commies propose that “From each according to his ability; to each according to his needs”, meaning that you should do the best you can, and then get what you need to live well!!
Problem is, folks differ in deciding whether you’re doing the best you can do, and what exactly you need!! On the first one, the Government in a free market economy like ours – both the PPP and PNC have both dumped their Commie flirtatious!! – has to do their best to encourage businesses to set up shop and hire people!! Then it’s up to people to accept the jobs available, do the best they can and spend their earnings on their wellbeing!! Can’t be all “wine, women and song”! Large swathes of our people, for instance, refuse to work in the booming construction sector – with the result that Venezuelan refugees now form the bulk of that workforce!!
The fly in the ointment is that what constitutes “the good life” varies with time, place and people!! In Guyana today, with the discovery of oil, people’s expectations have shot up sky high!! It used to be, for instance, that we shopped around at the local markets. But today if we don’t shop in SUPERMARKETS – all chock-full of foreign goods – we feel deprived!! The Opposition of course stokes the fire of comparison and feed off the inevitable angst!!
So, what are the SPECIFIC “people centred” Govt initiatives? Well, right up there is the $100,000 cash grant that’ll be paid out to every single adult citizen; $100,000 to every newborn; the $60,000 “Because We Care” cash grant, and $20,000 in transportation plus $5000 for school uniforms to every schoolchild! But sadly because of the oil revenues, this ain’t big enough for many!! Now in all fairness, the Govt was quite chintzy to increase the old folks pensions only by 7 per cent or $3000 – to now $43,000! There are now 96,000 of this demographics and if the Govt doesn’t do better than this and the $20,000 travel allowance – it could cost them heavy in 2030!!
All the billions poured into education, medical care, transportation, etc don’t really register with most folks – even though everyone benefits!!
But they’ll complain when these services are poor or absent, innit? Gotta be a balance!

…and the good life
So what does your Eyewitness think the “good life” is – materially speaking? (And that last qualification is very important!) While he accepts “man doesn’t live by bread alone”, he knows from bitter experience that if he doesn’t get “bread”, then he literally won’t be able to live!! He’ll be as dead as the proverbial doornail!!
Back when we were pulling out slowly from the destruction of our society and economy by Burnham, there was a “Basic Needs Program” introduced – along with a fund to execute it. From what your Eyewitness can see, all of those basic needs – in education and early childhood development; water and sanitation; roads and drainage; skills training; building assets, etc – have all been met – and then some!!
But “poverty” is a relative concept innit?? And we can count on the Opposition exploiting that!!

…and participation
As our country develops economically, and our Basic Needs are covered, we as citizens also have to become more involved at the community level.
To ensure that those who fall through the cracks are given a helping hand!!