Weaponising the cash grant

Dear Editor,
It is most disappointing that political parties, namely, WIN and APNU, are weaponising the cash grant at a time when the season of joy and goodwill is upon us. This is no surprise since these parties are still sore and sour after being soundly kicked by the Guyanese masses at the last General Elections.
Let me make it clear from the inception: a cash grant before Christmas was never promised by the President, the Prime Minister or the Vice President it was an expectation based on what transpired in 2024, statements misconstrued during the election campaign and what the WIN political party fuelled in the minds of people.
The WIN leader is now hopelessly arguing that what the President said on the campaign trail is tantamount to a “moral contract”. What is Mr Azruddin’s “moral contract” as a Member of Parliament who is pending extradition to face federal charges for a massive gold smuggling and money laundering scheme, including wire fraud, conspiracy, and tax evasion totalling millions in the US? He should have done the honourable thing and resigned. Those who truly understand how government expenditures are done will know that monies for such expenditures must have budgetary allocation and approval by Parliament.
It is not money which can be doled out as if from one’s personal purse. WIN and its leader believe that a country should be run on cash grants and handouts and not sound socio-economic policies and feel that it is easier to attack the Government by fuelling this false expectation. This is hardly surprising. The WIN leader wants to impose his hedonistic life on his supporters and exact his pound of flesh.
Christmas is not about seeking maximum pleasure by partying and vulgarity but by exemplifying the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Over the years we have moved very far from this. The questions are: What was Christmas like before the cash grant? How did Guyanese celebrate the holidays during the PNC dark era? How did they celebrate from 2015 to 2020 when Guyanese were burdened with onerous taxation, meagre wage increases and wage freezes in some cases? Some Guyanese tend to forget the times when putting food on the table was a criminal activity.
Today, Guyanese do not need a cash grant to celebrate this festive season. We have been given an abundance of measures by successive PPP/C Governments which have pushed us far away from the poverty line, especially our vulnerable ones, and Guyanese are living a higher standard of living than ever before. Just try crossing the roads. Supermarkets are strewn all over the place and never empty. Holiday shopping is increasing in intensity more than ever before. Restaurants and other food outlets are packed-rum shops too. Renovations of homes and purchasing of household furniture and appliances are happening all over, and the list goes on.  All these are not happening because of cash grants.
The Government has ensured that people’s disposable incomes keep increasing all the time. There is never a moment when some assistance is not given to people across the country to better their lives, emanating from Government outreaches. In addition, people normally save for this season, and we must never forget that this is a season of sharing and giving to the less fortunate.
We do not need a cash grant to enjoy the season. The President has in his speech made it clear that a cash grant of $100,000 will be given in the New Year, with many more to follow. This money should be seen as a saving and not as money to be splurged and wasted. This money should be saved and utilised in a manner which will add meaningful value to our lives. Many times I have seen that retroactive pays and bonuses do more harm than good for some people who feel that excessive imbibing and immoral activities are what make the holiday enjoyable. It is time we change this bad approach to this season.
Instead of sitting around a bottle of rum, sit with your family in the home in a sober manner and enjoy some ginger beer and black cake and reflect on the positives. Spend your money wisely, and give some charity to the less fortunate. Visit your place of worship and pray for a better year ahead. Our President has outlined a slew of strong measures that will bring sustainable social and economic relief and further propel our country into more progress and prosperity, and we should take all the opportunities available to enrich our personal lives. Guyana is now a land of many opportunities, and it is time we think higher than cash grants and handouts.
In conclusion, Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxer who ever lived, gave us good advice when he said that, “When you ask God for a gift, be thankful when he does not send diamonds, pearls or riches”. And as the Good Book says: Man shall not live by bread alone….
Merry Christmas to all.

Yours sincerely,
Haseef Yusuf