Satiricus marvelled at the poll fella from New York. Not because he seemed to be the ultimate globe trotter (imagine the frequent-flyer miles!) but at how he could write about anything under the sun. And even under the moon. Anyhow, Satiricus was intrigued at the jet-setters proposal to strip the president of his powers. And on the man’s second anniversary in office.
Satiricus, like the frequent flyer, was a bit leery about fellas with too much powers. Look at Superman. If it wasnt for the fear of Kryptonite, he bet mild-mannered Clark Kent wouldve changed into something quite a lot different than the caped do-gooder who made Lois Lanes heart go pit-a-pat. Satiricus felt that something had to be done about the president with so many powers.
Even Jagan had succumbed to the temptations of too many powers, claimed the NY fella who was also a pollster. Even though Jagan had criticised the old dictator Burnham for having all those powers, he hadnt stripped them from himself when he was elected.
But the keen observer of Guyana’s affairs had admitted Jagan hadnt used those powers to harm anyone. Like Burnham had done. So Satiricus wondered in his hazy way if it wasnt just a matter of having powers – but the kind of fellas we elect to the presidency and how they used those powers? Then Satiricus remembered a whole deal of presidential power-stripping had gone on in 2000 – with both the PPCEE and PNCEE putting in their two cents worth. Not to mention everyone who, like the famous pollster, were constitutional experts. At that time, Satiricus, knowing he wasnt in the league with those fellas, hadnt bothered to submit his proposal: that the president ought to be given the power to fly (like Superman).
But Satiricus was still upset at all the powers pressie still had. He tried to think of the ones he would strip.
There was the power to propose projects to develop Guyana. “But hold it,” thought Satiricus. “Nowadays, pressie can propose but he cant dispose! Look how GrainJa and Rum Jhaat stop all them projects like hydro and the hospital and so on!” “Well, what about the power to tell people to write all kinds of nice things about he and the government?” Said Satiricus to Satiricus in his mind. “Thats a neat power.”
If he had that power hed tell the world how he was smart just like that pollster from NY. “But hold it!” exclaimed Satiricus aloud. “GrainJa and Rum Jhaat already gone with that! No Geena… no promo!.” “About the only power left,” realised Satiricus, “was to cut ribbons and kiss babies at openings.” Maybe they could stop him from kissing babies.