CRITICAL moments in a country’s political existence are known to result in a plethora of viewpoints/opinions expounding on the particular issue. It is a necessary attribute of a democratic society, which gives citizens the right to their individual pronouncements. But, as always, there are those who will deliberately seek to mislead.

Tony Vieira, former sugar planter, television pioneer, but also a former PNC/R Member of Parliament and shadow agriculture spokesperson, and more so public commentator, is well known to the Guyanese public as a critic and analyst of the political-social-economic milieu, in which he lambasts the PPP/C Administration on every single issue.
From his many broadsides, there’s no mistaking his undisguised hatred for the Government. Though it is OBSERVER’s belief that he is capable of a higher level and better standard of thinking, his continued allegiance to an old dictatorial culture bars his better sense of judgment.
He, like so many of the well-known perennial critics, has pronounced on the chief justice’s ruling on the Opposition’s cutting of the 2012 Budget, and, as is only to be expected, disagrees with the ruling.
In his piece, “Another citizen debunks the Chief Justice ruling” in yesterday’s edition of the Kaieteur News, one gleans from his offing that the reason that the Separation of Powers has been compromised is a result of the judiciary interfering with the Legislative process.
In fact, he agrees with Mr. Eusi Kwayana on this point. Again, he is entitled to his particular opinion, this being a democratic society and all. But OBSERVER must take issue when he says, “ …this ridiculous situation of the minority ruling the majority must be resolved once and for all.”
Absolutely, one does not expect this view of Vieira, since he is known to be very meticulous in his research on matters pertaining to the Constitution. Vieira is, in effect, challenging the current configuration of the House, whereby the PPP/C is in government despite its securing the largest single bloc of votes at the 2011 November polls.
Surely, he cannot be serious about such a statement! Nor can it be a case of amnesia. Well, if it is, then such a disorder has to be one of a political nature, for this public figure is fully aware as to why the Government is still in office, despite ceding its majority.
Emphatically, it has been legitimately elected in accordance with constitutional stipulations that bestow the right of office to the party that receives the single largest bloc of votes at national elections.
Of course, the PPP/C did, and, in keeping with the Constitution, it is the duly elected government. This is what appears to be of great concern to Vieira: The dictates of the Constitution.
OBSERVER is sure that Vieira remembers who is the author of such a Constitution that has been the pivotal guide of the nation’s affairs since its promulgation in 1980; and that it is the same Constitution by which the current Administration has been guided since it took office.
Further, there are some truths with which Vieira must come to terms, beginning with the fact that the Government, notwithstanding its poll balance, did not attempt to subvert the constitutional process. Secondly, for the first time in the post-independence history of the nation, and under a PPP/C Government, a situation arose that resulted in the strict adherence to the Constitution. This was clear manifestation of the democratic process at work.
Should Mr. Vieira speak as a citizen, and not as an Opposition supporter, he will definitely comprehend the honest realities of the Constitutional process.