What are we teaching our children?

By Garth A. Rattray

Several generations of Jamaicans are accustomed to living in a society in which curry favour, 'blys', under-the-table deals, back-door deals, 'links', 'drop-a-money' deals, breaking/ignoring the regulations and outright corruption are often seen as the way of getting many things done.

True, the ridiculous and inextricable tangle of unnecessary government red tape, inordinate delays, numerous bureaucratic hoops, oppressive/prohibitive fees and/or taxes contribute to many people finding alternative, imaginative and more efficient but underhand routes to their goals. However, once a crack is created in the system, the pathway to unethical and even corrupt behaviour is flung wide open.

As a general rule, the way that the powerful, rich, famous and/or well-connected go about conducting their lives, business and mandatory civic duties is a far cry from the way that the rest of us do things.

The powerful and connected circumvent or bend the rules and regulations so badly that for them, they don't exist. And, because of their status, it is rare for them to face the consequences of their actions.

Many, if not most, Jamaicans are still smarting from the strategy employed by recently elected leader of the Opposition, Andrew Holness, to get rid of senators Arthur Williams and Christopher Tufton. Both men publicly displayed recalcitrance when they vehemently announced that they would not acquiesce to the request by Mr Holness that they resign.

resignation letters

In response, Mr Holness resurrected undated and pre-signed letters of resignations for Mr Williams and Dr Tufton and submitted them to the governor general. He submitted the letters even though they were specifically crafted as possible jettison apparatus for dissenting Jamaica Labour Party senators who may have disagreed with the need for a referendum on the Caribbean Court of Justice.

The crafting of those letters strongly suggests that distrust and autocracy exist within the party. Senators, highly regarded and specially chosen individuals, somewhat removed from the shackles, debts and responsibilities of representational politics, are appointed for their fealty and maturity. They should never be asked to sign undated letters of resignation.

The letters were submitted completely out of context, nonetheless. I wonder if the governor general was beguiled, or was made fully aware of the sole purpose for which the letters were penned.

Although everyone knows that breaking the rules, ignoring the regulations and conveniently setting aside ethical behaviour will blur and eventually erase the boundaries that we need for an orderly society, some do it anyway. Their actions will inevitably lead to corruption and chaos.

But, for many Jamaicans, the end justifies the means.

The actions of the leader of the Opposition certainly appear unethical. He has significantly tarnished the image that many of his supporters had of him. This may be reflected in future polls.

hurried reinstatement

Likewise, on the other side of the aisle, in spite of his hard work and (obviously) invaluable status within the People's National Party, the hurried reinstatement of the very recently admonished Richard Azan, who resigned (under pressure) as minister of state in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing because of his actions in the Spaldings Market debacle, sends the wrong message to our impressionable future leaders.

The Office of the Contractor General concluded that Azan's actions gave "the perception of political corruption" and a "degree of political interference".

Are these the examples of ethical behaviour that we want our future leaders to emulate? Do these examples represent the type of behaviour that we want in our future Jamaica? Is this the legacy that we want to pass on to our youth who look to us for moral guidance?

If our society is to survive and indeed prosper, we must set good examples and put our rules and regulations before expedience, convenience and votes. We must put country before politics.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.