POLITICAL campaigns are yet to be officially launched and manifestos – parties’ roadmaps outlining their vision for the country – are yet to be made public.However, Guyanese people have expressed their views on what they consider as new and hot-button topics which should form part of the parties’ campaigns.
At the top of the list of issues outlined by several persons who spoke to the Guyana Chronicle yesterday is the legalisation of marijuana.
Debates of this moot were fuelled by a nod given by the Opposition – first A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), then the Alliance For Change (AFC). Both expressed an inclination to advance the legalisation of weed in Guyana.
Some politicos contend that this may be an attempt to sway the new generation of voters, as well as be part of the historic rethinking of the herb by national leaders – the latter having been evidenced most recently in Jamaica. Either way, there is support for this move.
MARIA BLACKMAN said: “The legalisation of weed has more good than bad. You never heard someone dying from it. There are many medical benefits you get from weed. There is more good than bad to it.”

BARBARA DE CRUIZE, also expressed support for this move. She said: “Jamaica has done it. The U.S. has done it. We should do it too. It would not be a bad thing to consider.”
Another major social ‘swing issue’, in light of global trends, is that of securing rights for persons of different sexual persuasions.

SEAN RAMCHARRAN said: “Freedom and rights is something everyone should have. Gay rights are a global issue and in other countries people’s rights are legal. It is not like this is something that is not happening in Guyana. It is. So why not make it legal. Everyone has his life to live. It is an issue that is important just like the need to raise salaries and increase pensions.”

Another supporter of the move, MARLON DA SILVA said: “They (politicians) should consider legalising it. Gay rights are nothing new in bigger countries. Everyone should have the right to freedom of choice. Everyone should be allowed to live free.”

A three-week-old remigrant to Guyana, BERESFORD TAYLOR, had his eyes on other, not exactly new issues, in particular the garbage situation in the capital city. He said: “The programme they have in place is not working properly. More has to be done. Georgetown needs to be cleaned up. It is a mess. The Clean Up Guyana campaign needs to be strengthened.”

Another significant grassroots issue raised was that of jobs. SHERON CARRYL said: “We need more jobs. Good paying jobs,n because some people have children, rent and other bills. They have to eat too.”

PATRICK BOURNE said: “Taxes should go down. VAT (Value Added Tax) should go down, or the PAYE (pay as you earn income tax) should go down. Either way it is too much tax. People should take home more money so they can do more things.”

Many other suggestions were offered by the Guyanese people. A particularly strong one was the suggestion to have the National Service corps reestablished.
COLLEEN JONES said: “They have too many young boys on the road. They should start back National Service to get them off the road and let them do something useful with their lives, rather than have them on the road and getting in trouble.”

Continued development was another point raised during this reporter’s interactions yesterday.
ALLAN RAMKISSOON said: “We need rapid development. The big projects, Amaila, the airport, the new specialty hospital and even the deep water harbour. This is what we need. More development means more benefit for the people. We keep the money here then life will get better.”

On another note, there was also a call for peace and an inclusionary approach to the progress of Guyana and the Guyanese people.
EUNA DANIELS said: “We have to have peace and unity. Development means that. The focus has to be on the country. We have to work together if we are to make progress.”

The Guyanese people have made clear their demands from their political representatives and decisions on what issues will form part of political parties’ campaign platforms are left to be seen.

(By Vanessa Narine)