Corruption Is Not Just A Politician Thing - Vernon Derby

Campaign On For Publication Of Politicians' Assets

A few journalists and persons who are interested in politics are now on a campaign for politicians to publish what they own and what they have earned. Some persons are literally salivating over getting information as to how some politicians acquire their wealth.

I cannot understand why persons have recently become obsessed with what these political figures own. I am more concerned about my leaders' physical and  their mental health. The state that Jamaica is now in can only be attributed to the mental state of those who have lead us over the years rather that what they have aquired. Jamaica was once a growing economy now we have become the beggars of the Caribbean. This did not happen by accident!

Government Agencies There To Monitor 

I couldn't care less where politicians get their wealth from because if the Auditor General, the Contractor General, the tax department and the Jamaica Constabulary Force are doing their jobs then this can be easily dealt with. I must add that an active and a perceptive media can facilitate the work of these entities supported by an enlighted populace. We should note that politicians do not sign government cheques.

Not Only Politicians To Be Monitored

When it comes to acquiring wealth, it is not only politicians who should be monitored but all citizens. The multi-million dollar houses that have been going up all over Jamaica  in recent years could give the impression that this country has seen immence growth in the economy. If you look at the cars on our roads you would believe that this is a first world country.

We have heard of scammers and dons owning massive homes and they don't have a regular job or even a large business. One would have believed that these commentators would be calling for an assessments of the income of these persons to see how they have acquired so much and also to see how much taxes they have paid. The silence about this is deafening.

The types of crimes being committed today with expensive guns must be funded by persons who have acquired significant amount of money. Do we have a continuous programme of targetting these dons or any person who has acquired questionable wealth? These efforts could help to put a dent in the drug trade and also scamming.

Let's not only raise questions about political leaders who purchase multi-million dollar real esate and build large mansions, but let us also raise questions about those who go to bed one night and wake up next morning as multi-millionaires.

Not Only Politicians Are Corrupt

After all, it is not only politicians who are corrupt but quite a significant number of us also. The spotlight must be on all of us and not just politicians. Is it that we are putting the spotlight on the politicians so that we can detract the attention from the rest of us?

FI WI CONCERNS - Michael Spence

Dons As Consultants

With so many heinous crimes being committed lately many are calling for the most draconian measures to be meted out. Do we recall the "Gun Court which was painted red because it dread"," "indefinite detention" among draconian measures in the era of 70's 80 the murder rate then was a fraction of what it is now. The evidence is that a mandatory sentences without due process is injustice and knee jerk reaction seems to make matters worse. The ideal approach is to look at the conditions that create the need for guns and ammunition or conflicts and do something about that bolstered by effective policing/investigations and an efficient justice system. The certainty of getting caught is the most effective deterrent to crime, the cleared up rate must improve. You know one top Don recommended that there should be a focus on reducing the supply of ammunition would make guns useless no one has taken on his suggestion seriously. These Dons are Criminal Executive Officers (CEOs),it would be a good idea out of the box to have one or two of them being consultants to the relevant ministers or ministries and stop bury our heads in the sand.20/04/15

ISIS

These activities by IS militants is getting bolder and more often so none of us are safe any part of the world, they seem to be well organized .financed and brutal. There should be a focus now on cutting off financing combined with a targeted education program to would be sympathizers. Only Iran can make a dent if they would be willing to cooperate with other countries. The stumbling block is that Islamists are not willing to join with non Islamic people to fight Islamic people. This is a tough one as war against Islam does not end and they never die, or commit suicide they are martyrs working in earnest to establish a Caliphate which is getting larger than Iraq and Syria so instead of being ISIS they are now IS. 20/04/15

 Officers Of The Court Wards...?

Lately a number of lawyers are being hauled before the courts because of allegations of impropriety some of them quite prominent.All lawyers should have a client trust account or otherwise some legally transparent method of securing clients' funds. Thieves are thieves are found in all walks of life and potential clientele should do their due diligence also. The General Legal Council does a good job in trying to weed out the profession and as far as I know it is a no nonsense organization that can punish you for doing or not doing something that affects the clients interest. It would be good Mr Derby to get someone from the General Legal Council on your program to shed some light on this dark spot tainting the legal profession. 20/04/15

 Road Traffic Law

As I read through the proposed traffic fines under the Road Traffic Act I made the following observations. Failing to use appropriate hand signal - $2,000. This one needs to be deleted with the lack of electronic signal being an offence.Overtaking in an intersection to be added this is a very dangerous activity I see daily. Overall most of the fines are oppressive, unconscionable and foolish with the authorities not collecting 60% of traffic fines presently. What's the point of increasing fines or do they plan to have only traffic police and then a dedicated traffic prison. Considering that minimum wage is $5600 for a 40hr work week fines should not be increased more than the average inflation rate for 10 years whatever that is. Draconian thinking or methods do not correct ills they make matters worse whether you choose "left or write" one has to apply reasonable pragmatism.21/04/15

 That Youth

The St Mary youth accused of going to join ISIS is still in custody. What an injustice on the child of poor black rural people and we say how we love and care for the poor. Even the deaf and dumb see that this youth needs to go home to the love and care of his family. These are some of the things that push and harden youths to turn to all kinds of groups and gangs for solace and rescue from barbarity and injustice. Time to jus leggo di yute mek him gwaan a him yaad. 21/04/15

 Police Impersonator

Fifty-seven-year-old repeat police impersonator Derrick Thompson, yesterday pleaded guilty to charges of obtaining money by false pretense and impersonating a police officer.What is the protocol regarding the number of policemen who should be working as far as I know it should be at least two one acts as cover or back up in case of anything. Any one police accost me no car, bicycle, bike or another police in sight I immediately get suspicious because most times it is always "left not write" "left or write" is the correct corrupt approach. Now if traffic fines are being increased as proposed God help motorists and if you have 3ounces of ganja instead of 2 you need God's help times two. 21/04/15

 Is Councillor Haughton Alone?

Again they pick on councilor Haughton a weak Hanover link out in rural Jamaica,  why not audit all Parish Councils starting in Kingston let us see how clean they all are because my guess is all of them have the same modus operandi "parson christen him pickney first". There should be a full scale island wide audit of parish councils after which mass suspensions if needed should take place. Did the council get value for money paid to family, if yes why suspension?. Is there a rule that qualified family members of a mayor or any other politician become ineligible for work in their jurisdiction? 21/04/15