Dear Editor,
The recent grumbling now being heard from some voters is both predictable and unfortunate, but hardly surprising. At the last elections, many Guyanese allowed themselves to become addicted to cash grants and handouts, and in doing so, helped return the PPP to power. Today, as economic pressures persist and promised improvements fail to materialize for ordinary citizens, some of those same voters are beginning to sour.
Cash grants may provide short-term relief, but they are no substitute for sound economic management, job creation, and sustainable development. When voters are conditioned to expect periodic payouts, critical thinking about governance, accountability, and long-term national interest often takes a back seat. Elections then become less about policies and performance and more about who offers the next payment.
What we are witnessing now is buyer’s remorse. Rising costs of living, continued inequality, and concerns about transparency have exposed the limitations of a governance approach that relies heavily on handouts to secure loyalty. Money runs out quickly, but poor decisions linger far longer.
Democracy suffers when voters trade their power for temporary benefits. The right to vote is not a commodity to be exchanged for cash; it is a responsibility to future generations. If we are serious about building a strong and independent Guyana, voters must demand vision, integrity, and competence, not just grants.
Perhaps this period of dissatisfaction will serve as a lesson.
Sustainable progress cannot be bought, and political loyalty purchased with cash is fragile. The sooner voters recognize this, the better positioned our country will be to demand and achieve meaningful change.