TRUST

TRUST is not always rewarded.

In my country’s case - Guyana, that gesture escaped our history.  There was never any attempts to reward the citizens for their TRUST in the political system.

As ORDINARY citizens-Amerindian, Afro, Indo and the Others of Three Races, their votes empowered ordinary men and women into EXTRA-ORDINARY citizens. And they never returned the time of day to the voters-the majority who make ordinary citizens into the people who live in the clouds. As the gods. Looking down on mere mortals.   

The recent arrangement between the APNU and the AFC is a system of Appeasement to all citizens of Guyana. And as such it must be the aspiration of every Guyanese to be involved in the campaign to usher in a government of National Unity.

We are a people too entrenched in Racism. It is not a matter of trust. For we are too divided, even to realize the damages we do to our individual progress.

The politicians of the Peoples National Congress in the early years implemented programs which was in line with the thinking of politicians of the Peoples Progressive Party. Back then, in the PNC days, those who were favoured by the regime, did well-but they were few. Today, the PPP is viewed as being worst, those who are favoured by the Stalinist style government are few as well.

Whether, it is a PNC leadership or a PPP leadership, the underlining factor for you as citizens- You are denied JUSTICE.  Criminality, criminals and crimes are your constant companion.

In 1992, one would think that Cheddie Jagan should have had the foresight to have a National Front Government. Because Guyana desperately needs one to get off the racist fears. He talked about it. But, the perks of having a PPP/C government was more rewarding for him personally. And his protégés care less for the well-being of the citizens. It is boastful to talk about free and fair elections of 1992. One could even say, after Independence, it was the first democratic elections. That moment should have been treasured. Because the ordinary citizen was permitted to freely choose. Even though the PPP got elected by the Indian vote, Cheddie Jagan should have rewarded every citizen for their trust. In the formation of a National Front Government.

He never did.

But today, that reality can be made.

Citizens must engage fellow citizens. They must empower themselves. They must hold their leaders accountable-for men of power are easily swayed to do harm to their own citizens. We have seen the PPP and the PNC at work.

Indians must know, it wasn’t the ordinary Afro citizen that banned the food items and discriminate against them. It was the PNC regime.

Afroes must know, it is not the ordinary Indo citizen that discriminate against them. It is the PPP.

Both the Afro and Indo need to pull together to help the Amerindians develop-just as Randolph Cheeks had envisioned for them.

VOTE THE APNU.

Every Afro must as ask two Indoes to consider a change and vote the APNU.

Change must come.

Velutha Kuttapen

 e-mail:   timehri@golden.net

Twitter:   Velutha Kuttapen@VeluthaK 

www.timehritoday.blogspot.com

Quamina-Godfearing man

Commitment! It is the ability to stay focused.

I made a Pledge, years ago.

And on October 5, 2014, I wrote my first commentary on the Blog www.timehritoday.blogspot.com. It is titled, “THE PLEDGE.”

Prophetic as it may seem, the PPP would prorogue the Tenth Parliament about a month later (November 10, 2014). As a nation wounded by racism, my spirit sensed a turmoil is about to dawn on us again. I had witnessed one in 1953/1955. The genesis of our separation into ethnic and religious communities in Guyana.

Today, I would read about the negotiations between the AFC and APNU to be a Combined Opposition. That was written about in “THE PLEDGE.” Long before the politicians agreed on a non-disclosure agreement. I hope our politicians and fellow citizens will be able to read the entire site. 

Some years ago, Eusi Kaywana wrote in the Letter Column of the Stabroek News. I followed what he had to say. From his letters to the Editor, I knew Guyana was heading towards a precipice in a great hurry. I wrote a letter to him through the Letter Column, asking him to travel the coast of Guyana with his message and I will walk along with him. He referred to the gesture of a Kind Citizen in one his letters to the Editor. That journey never came about. I remembered him back in 1953. By the time he spoke at the meetings at Rosignol Society Hall, it would be getting dusky. I would get the Petromax lamp ready and take it over to the meeting. I stayed around and listened to him.

It was a drumbeat for me. Moved by the promises of a great future for the citizens of Guyana. 

The year 2011, General and Regional elections was a hyped up time for me. The AFC was the Alternative, the Third Force. Years of writing about another group of political players had evolved into a force. They were a group also in the previous elections. My support was with them, then too. But in 2011, several young men were involved in their campaigning and I was motivated to get onboard in the real way-in Guyana. I was disappointed when my attempts were never acknowledged.

Convinced in 2011, that the AFC would be the broker for change. Unable to contact the leadership I settled for the next best thing. But, it wasn’t the next best thing. I did THE BEST THING.

I wrote a prayer on the wide world web, petitioning for AFC victory favours. In a world as the days of Noah, the prayer met with ridicule. I sensed the mocking and scorn of the commentaries. Of course, there were those, whose silence revealed that there was no God. Perhaps, even the leadership of the AFC discounted God.

A notable person penned the words, “First they will ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”

God did answered the Prayer. The proud and invincible People’s Progressive Party was dealt a blow. A minority position in the Legislature.

The victory for which I had penned the words of the prayer. The AFC received favour.          

The words go up to heaven. It is like from my lips to God’s ear. God put the meaning to the words and send them back in the world. In particular, it is Guyana.

After the polling. For days the official final results were withheld. I knew something supernatural had happened. I kept on praising God with “Praise be the name of the Lord God Almighty.” 

It would be revealed many months later, the formula applied by the Chief Elections Officer to calculate the allotment of seats in the Legislature was the incorrect one. It would have given the PPP 33 seats-the majority. God had already enhanced the discernment of Vincent Alexander long before the votes were tallied. He was divinely placed at GECOM.  And he recognized the applications of the incorrect mathematics.

It has been stated, there were only two votes which gave the AFC that one special seat. They received victory favours. That is God at work. It was a victory for the AFC-they held the balance of power over the People’s Progressive Party.

The prayer was answered.

Since that time, I’ve heard of the many applauses attributed to some men in politics for what had occurred. But for those men and women of the Alliance for Change. God is very far from their thoughts. Humility must be searched for. And they have had their fair share of party upheavals.

What manner of citizens rise to the elite class to govern the people of Guyana?

Once, a man strived for the unity of the races. And his life was taken from him. THE WORKING PEOPLES ALLIANCE must remember that. In the Whiteman’s world, when a man dies for a cause, his effort is not forgotten or traded. Instead, it inspires to carry on.                

Our country is at a crossroad. We have experienced the behemoths     

Velutha Kuttapen

 e-mail:   timehri@golden.net

Twitter:   Velutha Kuttapen@VeluthaK 

www.timehritoday.blogspot.com