Written By N. AUGUSTUS
IT boggles the mind that the Guyanese parliamentary Opposition is behaving similarly to the American Tea Party members in the U.S. Congress. In their case it is the mistaken belief that shutting down the government will not hurt the country’s economy or image overseas. 

The Guyanese Opposition, on the other hand, believes not passing the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) amemndment Bill on time is no real threat to Guyana’s standing overseas. Professor Clive Thomas is accusing the government of “crying wolf” over the anti-money laundering amendments as they failed to apply almost three quarters of the provisions in the current law.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton told the critics, instead of voting over 40 times to kill ‘Obama Care’, why not work with the government to change some of what you do not like. The same advice could be given to the Guyanese Opposition (comprising APNU and AFC).
If they were really sincere, instead of claiming that they are seeking people’s input to make a better bill, they should have been addressing their own concerns sooner regarding the present bill.
Surely, the Opposition leaders have enough knowledge of what they say is wrong to start suggesting changes. The truth is that the Opposition is prepared to scuttle a life boat that they are in, if they cannot captain it or choose who gets on it.
None of the opposition-passed bills awaiting the President’s signature can justify placing Guyana on any blacklist that may seriously affect its economy or the welfare of its citizens, including Opposition supporters.