Resolution 2K6: Getting Things Right

By Andre Stephens

A ‘Failed State’
It is August 1, 1962- Independence Day- and people; young and old, prince and pauper, bright and brutish, are carrying the black, green and gold Jamaican flag, all united by a certain ‘oneness’, all filled with a promise of what could be. These are the images the mind conjures up when we hear of Augus’ mawnin’ or watch those archived JIS independence celebrations tapes. Fast-forward the tapes to 2006 and we see crime, poverty, injustice and bitter hopelessness- a ‘failed state’ as Bank of Nova Scotia head honcho Bill Clarke called present-day Jamaica, land we love. Sure, no one likes to hear such sentiments being echoed by no less a person than Mr. Clarke however, to fault his pronouncements would be like blaming a mirror for its reflection. But what if we could stop the tape and record a new story, one which would see the dreams of yesteryears coming to fruition? I believe we have such a chance.

Out with the Old…
With the departure of the self-proclaimed ‘Most Honorable’ P.J. Patterson, Jamaica will close another chapter in its brief autonomous political history, one which saw a previously unsurpassed level of criminality, violence, economic lag, corruption, not to mention our dismal performance in health, education, security and fire and utility services… need I continue? Consider this, Patterson’s government has been virtually plotting against us for 16 years, incredulously representing more than one-third of Jamaica’s independent existence. This is more depressing when one considers where we could have been had the considerably higher levels of growth we enjoyed in the 1960’s and 1980’s continued into the Patterson era.

Instead, it will take Jamaica thirty years at 6% growth per annum to reach the per capita productivity levels that our Barbadian neighbours enjoyed over a decade ago and still our growth rate hovers in the 1% band. With Patterson almost off our backs, the issue now is who best to lead us into tomorrow. Obviously someone with an understanding of our somber past and yet the vision for a brighter future, someone with a selfless and unwavering desire to serve our country and our people, someone like Bruce Golding.

A Golding Opportunity…
If we permit ourselves to be honest enough to recognize the irrefutable and abysmal failure of the Patterson-led administration for a decade and a half, then let us rue the past while we look to change for the better. In his inaugural address at the JLP’s Annual General Conference, Bruce Golding spoke of a new type of governance that would ensure justice, liberty and progress for all.


…For our Economy
A Golding-led JLP would attract local and foreign investment by removing the high interest rate regime, so that potential entrepreneurs are able to get affordable loans in the way that our Caribbean neighbours can. This would be facilitated by macro-economic reconstruction focused on low-interest rates, low inflation and declining debt. Investors also need confidence that the government is not free to ‘run wid it’ by taking decisions which affect all while considering only some.
The JLP wants to see to it that no future government can forego prudent economic policies in the name of political expediency by making the Bank of Jamaica an independent agency. A limit on the debt and fiscal deficit is also crucial in forcing government to encourage production rather than depend on borrowing to accrue revenue. Such changes will be easily passed into law by a JLP administration, effectively stifling governmental waste and mismanagement and spurring the economy to activity.

…For Crime Reduction
Mr. Golding believes the way to put a hold on criminality is to increase the chances of wrong-doers being caught and punished. Not surprisingly, the JCF lacks proper investigative capabilities and technology. The JLP wants to increase the number of police detectives, establish a nationwide intelligence network and invest in state-of-the-art computer programmes and ballistic equipment as a necessary step towards thorough criminal investigation and prosecution. The retraining and redeployment of JDF personnel, a national identification system for criminals and expedited trails for violent crimes will also aid in effective law-enforcement and punishment of crimes. Mr. Golding has appointed a committee headed by former police commissioner, Trevor McMillan, to formulate a comprehensive crime policy which will be made available to the government and public.

…to Cut Government Power
The JLP has been advocating a need to reduce the concentration of government power so that every public agency is accountable to parliament and the people. Mr. Golding, in particular, has for ten years been advocating an equal balance of power between government and parliament and a reconfigured Westminster Model which limits the power of the executive. In addition, the JLP is behind legislation to cement and preserve the rights and freedoms of citizens in our constitution. The appointment of a Prosecutor General to investigate and prosecute corruption and mismanagement at the highest levels of government is one of the most important and far-reaching of Golding’s proposals.

P.S. It is now left for us to decide- do we want more of the same until the next election in 2012 or are we willing to support proactive change and finally, to get things right?