Burnhamism taken to greater heights and remodelled by Granger

Dear Editor,
The late LFS Burnham would have been so proud of his prodigy. David Granger has taken Burnhamism to such an unprecedented height, and has remodelled it to such an extent as to make it indelible in the hearts of Guyanese for generations to come. Granger is trying to rig the 2020 Elections in full view of the world.

For clarity’s sake, Burnhamism is synonymous with the worst form of dictatorship experienced by Guyanese for 28 years, from 1964 to 1992. Social and economic conditions worsened almost on a daily basis during that period, and it was even criminal to put food on the table; and Guyanese used whatever means were available to them, mostly illegal, to flee to all parts of the globe. This exodus ironically saved the day for those Guyanese friends and relatives who remained at home. The barrels and the remittances began to flow in as Guyanese flowed out.

Then, from 1992 to 2015, Guyanese experienced a steady socio-economic growth as Guyana moved from a low income and highly indebted country to a middle-income country with increasing improvement in the per capita income and the standard of living. The PPP/C had rescued Guyanese from starvation and harsh poverty with strategic social and economic policies, as more Guyanese became homeowners, vehicle owners, and owners of an assortment of appliances which began to make their lives more comfortable.

Guyanese, during that period, could have travelled on vacation to countries such as the USA and Canada; whereas, formerly, they could have only ventured there by ‘back track’ means, endangering their lives and very often resulting in broken homes.

Guyanese were once again living with dignity and self-respect, and were being respected abroad.
Then came 2015. Some Guyanese wanted ‘change’, and fell for the false promises sold to them by the APNU and AFC. They were to get “significant increases” in wages and salaries; sugar workers were to get 20 per cent, and rice farmers were to get $9,000 for a bag of paddy. At the same time, they sang the ‘corruption mantra’, which was swallowed by some as well. Guyanese had forgotten what had happened to them under the PNC for 28 years, and felt that the AFC would keep these corruptors in check.

In fact, Ramjattan had said that if the PNC got out of line, the AFC would side with the PPP/C to support a vote of no-confidence. I knew that was the biggest bluff because I had seen, since 2012, that the AFC was more corrupt than the PNC, and I knew that this unholy alliance would spell only disaster for Guyana. I had begun a relentless crusade against the AFC, but many ‘top guns’, who later defected, personally attacked me, forgetting that the PNC is never capable of change.

Many youths thought that the horrible narratives related about the 28 years of PNC dictatorial rule were just tall tales, especially when they were urged not to look into the rear-view mirror by corruptors like Trotman, Moses and Ramjattan. After 2015, these youths had a rude awakening, and reality kicked in. They decided to change this in 2020.
All the productive sectors came tumbling down, and corruption became a feature that escalated daily, even though the Coalition had given its ministers 100% salary increase so that they would not ‘thief’.

But not only that, the coalition ministers have squandered our oil patrimony even before First Oil was drawn. These corrupt practices continued even though they have been a caretaker government for more than a year now, and had lost power since March 2nd this year. They gave away prime lands and contracts worth billions to their cronies even as they continued to illegally remain in government. The electorate rejected them, but they clung to the reins of power as they galloped with great alacrity from one failed legal attempt to another in their quest to remain in office. Basil Williams squandered more than a billion dollars in nonsensical court cases as the country was plunged deeper into acute emotional distress and economic deprivation.

If there was any doubt that Granger is unfit to be the President of this country, that has swiftly been dispelled as the ‘Sanctimonious Gangster’ continued to lie and deceitfully shift his position, knowing fully well that he lost the 2020 elections.

Further, the current criminal action of Lowenfield to present fraudulent reports of the results of the March 2020 elections, and his refusal to abide by the directions of the Chairperson are dictated by the PNC, led by Granger. Apart from benefiting financially, Lowenfield feels that a Granger dictatorship would exonerate him.
Our dear land of Guyana has been under siege by Granger and his band of domestic terrorists, as we have been held hostage for more than four months while they openly flout the rule of law in Granger’s quest to become the country’s second dictator.

The International community must step on the accelerator to condignly stamp out this form of terrorism, as Guyanese are held captive and their hopes of a bright future become dimmer with each passing day.

Yours sincerely,
Haseef Yusuf