The biggest myth that Guyanese believed was that voting for the PPP was going to bring democracy to Guyana. As the 90s beckoned, the great illusionist and leader of the PPP Dr. Cheddi Jagan perpetuated this falsehood across the length and breadth of Guyana. Capitalizing on the decency and statesmanship of President Hoyte, along the conditionalities and structural adjustment imposed upon Guyana by the international lending agencies, Jagan was able to persuade many Guyanese that the PPP was the change Guyana needed.

Twenty years later, Guyana has morphed into a classless, crime ridden, lawless inhabitance thriving on all things corrupt. In 20 years, the moral, social, cultural, economic and political fabrics of this country have been systematically destroyed, and replaced with a dependency and an acculturation of expecting and accepting mediocrity.

Modern Guyanese politics is characterized by vicious, vindictive and thoughtless rhetoric, supported by equally dangerously misguided actions. Guyana is in a deplorable state. Such is the 20 year legacy of the PPP. The horror story of 28 years of PNC rule is now outdated, stale and ignored. It has been replaced by 20 years of tyranny, corruption, drug lords, money laundering and common indecency.

Sure enough, there are many who believe that much progress has been made in the development of Guyana and are quick to point to the changing appearance of the Guyanese landscape. For some, the erection of huge gaudy buildings speaks to a sign of national progress. That a privileged few through the quick acquisition of dubious wealth untold can build mansions with swimming pools and all the modern amenities is not a sign of progress. What it can most likely be attributed to is money laundering and scandalous corruption.

If after 20 years of PPP rule, Guyanese are unable to access portable water that is clear and free from contaminants 24 hours a day, then we have not progressed.  That after 20 years of PPP rule, blackout is still with us; then we have not progressed. After 20 years there is not a road in Guyana that is not decorated with numerous patches and potholes; therefore, we have not progressed. After 20 years the police can confront vendors at Parika, gather their goods and burn them just like the days when bread was seized and destroyed during the Burnham era: then we have not progressed.

Joseph de Maistre says: “Every country gets the government it deserves.” In Guyana that statement could not be any truer. As a nation fiercely divided by race, Guyana seems destined to exist under the narrow unproductive and divisive nature of race politics. Politicians know this and they exploit it for their own benefits. Both sides of the political divide have worked arduously to ensure racial politics maintains its high profile place in Guyanese society. But apart from the issue of race voting and race politics in Guyana, there is also the issue of political apathy and ignorance. Almost 100,000 citizens refused to vote at the last general election.

Guyanese can no longer fool themselves. Guyana is no democracy! It is a country run by a corrupt cabal interested in the advancement of themselves, their families and close friends. Those of you in doubt just need to take a look at all the boards of directors and the senior management of state agencies and quasi-governmental agencies and you will get the picture. Cronyism and nepotism are rife in Guyana. And it seems set to continue unabated.

 Is there an alternative to the corrupt, incompetent, vicious and vindictive PPP rule? Where in the opposition can Guyanese find a political solution for this nation? Are Guyanese truly deserved of the PPP for 20-odd years?