THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE RECENT upsurge in criminal activity only serves to exacerbate the social decay that's in the country; the politicians, whom we have elected to foster peace and security - a country where we are free to move without fear, have clearly failed, highlighted by the divisiveness and mixed signals which issue forth from their mouths daily.
What is wrong with Jamaica? Is it that we don't seem to understand that as a people we need to work together and find solutions, solutions which will arrest the mayhem? What is wrong with Jamaica is that we can't seem to see beyond the green and orange colours. Why is it that the political party's interest always supersedes that of the country? Why can't we as a people stop being JLP and PNP and be Jamaicans?
POLITICS PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLE
I am aware that politics plays a very important role in any society and there is a time and place when one needs to support the political party to which his/her interest is aligned, but why is it that we always seem to put narrow partisan interest above the well-being of the Jamaican state even in the midst of thuggery, mayhem, pandemonium and acts akin to terrorism?
In any other civilised country where the state faces such threats, the political leaders would find a national consensus on the way forward; a government of national unity would have been established to confront the threat. Look at Israel in the all important withdrawal from the Gaza Strip: it took a national government to oversee the process. Look at the unity shown in the United States when that country came under attack by terrorists.
Capitol Hill, the mecca of political manoeuvrings and partisan camaraderie, became a united place and democrats and republicans alike stood behind their president and declared that as Americans they would stand together. The same unity was evident in the United Kingdom when hoodlums bombed the London subway recently.
What Jamaica needs is a new cadre of leaders. Leaders who are not afraid to call corruption by its right name. Leaders who in their innermost souls are true and honest. Leaders who are true to duty, country and the well-being of their people as the needle is to the pole. Leaders who will stand up for honesty and justice, and not for partisan political interest. Leaders who will not be bought or sold. Leaders who are willing to sacrifice political expediency for the good of our country.
I am, etc.,
MARVIN GAYE
WILLIAMS MT. BSc.
Margaye98@yahoo.com
Dry River District
Maggotty P.O.
St. Elizabeth
Via Go-Jamaica
