Jamaica Needs A Change, A Change Initiated By The People

Gordon House - Kingston, Jamaica

Covid-19 has put the nation under stress but most of us can take care of our selves by following the protocols and some of us have taken the vaccine. The other matters which are putting the stability of the nation under severe stress are:

• Corruption and crime
• The bad values, attitude and behaviour of our people.

The people need to unite and start a discussion aimed at coming to a consensus as to how to solve these major national challenges.

We have seen the government attempting to do a number of things and because the government and the opposition cannot seem to agree on a number of things, we have been unable to achieve much in terms of dealing with crime for example. Implementing a National Identification System which got caught up in party political positions has robbed this country of something which can revolutionize how we deal with crime and also do business in Jamaica. 

It seems to me that it is time for the people to start talking, because these discussions should not just involve a few individuals in the House of Parliament talking as members of the JLP or as members of the PNP - one party proposes and the other opposes with the aim to just achieve political power. There is the need to remove the political noise from the discussions and to move to national consensus based on national interests and not political interests or any other interests.

I am suggesting that we engage the nation through  representatives from each constituency. These representatives should be leaders in their communities. Persons such as religious leaders, Principals, business leaders and others except practicing politicians. Persons who are respected and who can canvass the positions of constituents and be able to unite the constituents in coming to certain positions.

First,  we should have two national Boards appointed by the Parliament. One Board would deal with Corruption and Crime and the other with Values Attitude and Behaviour of  Our People. These two boards would organize the representatives in the various constituencies who would engage members of the constituencies to discuss matters relating to corruption and crime, values, attitude and behaviour, and come up with solutions for the country. These solutions would be compiled and canvassed in the various constituencies. The aim would be to come up with a commitment with what government needs to do to deal with the both areas mentioned before. Some of these recommendations might require constitutional changes, new laws and changes to old laws.

At the end of this, it means that these positions would be canvassed across the nation and this should minimize political differences on the points that have been canvassed and agreed on.

Parliament would then have the responsibility to act on the wishes of the people. To validate such positions we could have indicative referendums or polls.

These are just some ideas which I want my readers to think about and I would love to see your opinions to what I have written, I would love you to also come up with your own recommendations. Jamaica is heading down a dangerous road and action must be taken now to take us off the destruction road to save ourselves, our children, and our children's children. To sit down and do nothing is not an option. Those of us who sit and do nothing about the ills of the society are just as dangerous as those who are hell bent to destroy this beautiful island.

Let the discussion start on this blog now. Let it go viral and national. Start by adding your comments to this blog. When I get enough responses this blog will be sent to our national leaders. Thanks and all the best.