Determined to be time–out brief today even as others plunge real deep into the electoral politics of the current robust campaigns.

Ian McDonald and others over seventy had warned me that that is the period when death announcements, funeral “arrangements” and funerals seem to capture your attention much more than when you were in your thirties to fifties. I’ve found that to be quite accurate.

Over the past three weeks I have averaged one “home–going” per week! Passing up another. You do know members of a certain age–group who all seem to bow out together during a very short period. Many are of similar familiar age–range as yourself, some older, some very younger. My recent funerals were of a retired GDF colonel and two ladies way past eighty, all of the Anglican Christian faith.

I am neither activist Christian nor regular church–goer but in the places of worship as I join relatives, friends, colleagues sharing in both their sorrow and the “celebration of lives” in transition after useful stays of mortality amongst us, I find time for personal reflection in the pews.

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Working–class deaths

Working–class? I know full well that when death attends the human condition, it never checks status, class or “pedigree”.

Even those in financial “upper class” comfort or wealth, able to prolong “life” through the best, prolonged medical care, have no choice but to succumb when their “time is up”; when the roll is called up yonder!

I however feel regret when I experience the death and funeral goodbyes of my fellow Guyanese working–class members. I see the grief, I feel the pain of much unfulfilment of many dreams even as the overseas relatives contribute to the local farewells. Even their contributions are crucial because of the home–based financial challenges. The locals most likely had to work way into “retirement”   to make ends meet.

And this national circumstance of the poor stems from the sustained mis-management of our national natural and human resources by those in corridors of power and flawed governance. Square-peg incompetence, greed and covetousness and kleptomania sustains a chosen “elected” few as corruption reigns. Speaking of corruption…

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The Corrupt Liveth!

I always appreciated PPP-government contempt for their accusers when the Party Leaders would say. “Bring us the evidence of our comrades’ corruption and we will take action.” But when evidence is offered; even when leads are given, nothing is followed up.

Society and “public opinion” might know of the local Drug Barons activities and connections but nothing gets proven in a Court of Law!

The known guilty and their transactions live and thrive amongst us.

Frankly Speaking, this corruption cancer could be excised only under new, fresh, determined and committed leaders, over a period of time; during which “time” examples must be made of past “corruptibles.”

Giving thanks for the life of a 96-year-old on Tuesday, Scripture Readings were done from the Christians’ Bible First Corinthians. It seems that the Apostle Paul wrote to the people of Corinth about quite a few things. Via Chapter(s) 15 especially Paul advised about corruption and incorruption. “Flesh and blood”, he wrote, “cannot inherit the kingdom of God…when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption then death is swallowed up in victory, etc.”

If this is about corruption as we know it Christians should reflect upon this scripture. Though I suspect that even many of them will consider Paul after corruption makes them comfortable. In past pieces on corruption I have quoted “Flipping the corruption myth” by LSE’s Jason Hickel who masterfully exposes corruption amongst the very rich Western nations who love to accuse the corrupt leaders of the Third World and South. I also reminded you-all that today’s 35-40 year olds were 12 and 17 when the PPP assumed office in 1992. Has a generation of corrupt youth been spawned? I am glad that corruption is now a primary election issue in 2015.

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Getting ready for defeat

Just a few lines for you to help me wonder what ruling politicians and government big-wigs do if or when they suspect they will lose an upcoming election.

They would have been in authority and real power for extended periods. They would have “acquired” for themselves and theirs. So what do they do in “the final months/weeks”? More to be acquired? Tracks to be covered?

An APNU youth leader declared that the PPP/C fellows put their offspring on their lists so that they will be in Parliament even when their party loses! Interesting. But what do the hopeful opposition do as they prepare for the polls. They have to “lose” less so they have purpose. But if they consider a loss what is their mindset? All about who gets into the National Assembly- and its perks? You tell me.

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Campaign ponderings…

*1)   From the Sunday Stabroek (Apr 12) Editorial: Snippets in case you missed them.

“The restless Mr Urling has finally found his home it seems … the beleaguered CEO of Guysuco, Rajendra Singh has apparently decided to make the political relationship official … Clive Jagan will maintain the party’s connection with the family name … while political grasshopper Peter Ramsaroop has cemented his association with the PPP/C …”

*2)   There must be some greater plan for Young Turk Irfaan and Dr Nanda. Only on Regional Lists.

*3)   Next time let’s discuss the role of local and foreign observers before, during and after Polling Day.

‘Til next week!

(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)