THE EDITOR, Sir:

Most professionals have job descriptions. After all, most professionals complete a minimum of four to 10 years of training; and while he or she is on the job, he or she may still be required to get additional formal training.

One of the few positions which need no qualification or job description is that of the politician, who has more power than a policeman, a soldier or any other citizen.

A parish councillor once said that he walked around his constituency and asked 20 persons to identify him, and none could. He further stated that when he became mayor, all he needed was seniority and a call from "head office" to say to him: "It is your time now."

Something is amiss!

I cannot think of one acquaintance I know who procured a job by walking in and submitting his name and party sign. Procuring a job entails interview - sometimes several interviews - and a job description, which must be complied with, or there is a recall.

The only job which does not have the recall clause in Jamaica is that of the politician. Why?

Academia falls short of cognitive skills sometimes because of religious, political and social fanaticism. We know of the imbecility going on, but we do not wish to upset our associates.

SYSTEM LACKS CREDIBILITY

Let us go back to the mayor for a moment. He stated that although he was privy to the modus operandi of the council for many years, when he ascended to the position of His Worship, with absolutely no academic prerequisites whatsoever, he really was a sitting duck who depended on his secretary/manager to guide him.

The member of parliament does not have a job description either, although he receives allotments of money to maintain his constituency.

How does he know what to do with it? What if his or her fingers have the proclivity to be sticky? There is absolutely no credible system of checks and balances unless the MP falls out of grace with his party.

There is another critical problem. The politician does not have a mandated constituency executive which involves independent members of civil society.

The politician does not have a lawyer assigned to him with whom he consults before making decisions; so the question is: "What if wrong decisions are made?"

Answer: Who worries about it? The taxpayer (you and I) will always foot the bill!

The politician consults with party faithful about critical matters even though he or she represents the entire citizenry of the constituency. What a joke!

RAE WILSON

rae@dr.com