NOW that the 2012 budget has been presented to the nation by the Honourable Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, the nation should look forward to a lively, spirited and intelligent budget debate, coming from both sides of the House. But will it be in the spirit so described?  Hardly likely, given the bullying tactics of the opposition parties to date.
If one may be guided from what ensued with regards the supplementary papers, for example, with the Opposition almost stymieing the smooth process of those expenditures through the House, then one may reluctantly want to conclude that such a tactic awaits the budgetary estimates just laid  before the Assembly.
It will be very unfortunate, a tragedy, to be precise, should the nation be treated to that well known opposition culture of opposing for opposing sake, thereby running the risk of unnecessary national tension accentuated by the possibility of dreaded gridlock, which Guyanese do not need. The cost is too horrendous to contemplate.
The nation needs that sense of national safety and well-being, knowing fully well that its affairs will be dealt with by the government and a very responsible Opposition. As sure as day follows the night, there will be adversarial politics, for such is natural. But such must not ever descend to the pit of grudge culture, where rational thinking will be abandoned, particularly at this most important time of the nation’s history when so much is at stake.
Again, the Opposition must be reminded that their constituents will be following their every line spoken, and action taken; for it is their welfare and future well-being that will also be at stake. They would have benefitted from the many socio-economic programmes given by the PPP/C government, and they desire those to continue unhindered.