Call out the corrupt!
The Editor, Sir:
Indeed, corruption is unacceptable. If we do not stop this scourge we are doomed. However, if honesty and truth are not characteristics of the reform process then failure is guaranteed.
It is time that we 'Call to action' those who make corruption happen. In every corrupt activity there is a giver and a taker. In other words, every such transaction begins with an offer and ends with an acceptance. It takes two to make it happen.
Let us call out those importers and brokers who go to the ports of entry armed with stacks of cash to bribe the customs officers to release their shipments without the collection of duties and taxes.
Let us call out the passengers who arrive at the ports with cash in their passports to bribe the immigration officer to 'back date' their books. Let us call out the attorneys who send their bearers with cash to the titles office to bribe staff there to expedite their transactions.
Let us call out the developer who tries to bribe the parish council staff to get their building plans approved illegally.
Let us call out the journalist who publishes a story for a 'fee'. Let us call out the disc jockey who runs the payola system.
Let us call out the thousands of so-called professionals who do not pay taxes but expect services from Government.
Let us call out the attorneys and realtors who take prospective homeowners' money and don't buy the houses while they 'rinse' the money.
Until civil society, including the private sector, recognise that corruption is not a sectoral problem but a societal one, we are only going to be talking while doing little else.
I am, etc.,
Wayne Jones
Every Jamaican has to change
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Jamaicans love to complain about the way the 'system a run'. But I think our country will never get better if we do not recognise that it is the people who make the system. As long as the people have that corrupt state of mind that allow them to think that they can get away with breaking the law, it will never get any better. If Jamaica is to change, every Jamaican will have to change.
I am, etc.,
Elizabeth
Make ministers accountable
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I am recommending that ministers of government first be held accountable for any wrong done within their ministries, and that a special piece of legislation be put in place to deal with their punishment when found to be guilty of delinquence.
My reason for saying this is to make an example of any individual who tries to undermine the solemn rights of the people.
Ministers are managers, and if the ministry (business) they head is failing it means the managers are failing. Too many scapegoats (little people) are found conveniently in Jamaica. The time has come to place the blame where it belongs. Let it be known that public office should be taken with due consideration, fear and the best intent for the development of the nation, and not self.
I am, etc.,
Joseph Edwards
Ideas for a brighter Jamaica
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I first want to congratulate and commend you for this excellent initiative.
Like so many others, I have become increasingly frustrated by the deterioration of this beautiful country, and it has become the main subject of conversation in my circle of friends and family. I, therefore,, welcome this opportunity to share with you a few practical ideas that we have been discussing.
Crime - Invite the people to engage in the fight against crime.
Put up calendars of Jamaica's most-wanted criminals on the walls of every church, police station, rum bar and cookshop. As each criminal is caught the information goes out and the public can cross out the picture on the calendar. At the end of the year (or earlier) all the pictures should be crossed out.
Communities need to revive their community-watch patrols. All over Jamaica people have to stand up and say no to crime.
Have community meetings with the local police where citizens can voice their concerns about crime and law enforcement. We need to publicly air the wrongdoings of the few.
Make prisoners work for the country while they are incarcerated. Making bricks, fixing roads, preparing agricultural land, preparing the island for hurricanes, etc.
Maybe we could put the pictures and badge numbers of all corrupt police on public display?
Start children early in school. Provide school uniforms free of cost to poor families. Provide after-school facilities for children where they can play and do their homework in a safe and calm environment with proper tutorship and supervision.
Provide skills training to all teachers in their subject areas and importantly, teach them how to be good educators of children with special needs. This is crucial if we are to address the underperformance of Jamaican boys.
History and philosophy should be compulsory courses at primary and secondary schools.
Address the adult illiteracy. Churches should open in the evenings and help adults to learn how to read and write.
The Gleaner should consider producing a daily or weekly paper in SIMPLE English that could be easily understood by the adult learner, summarising the daily news and debates in Jamaica.
Give all Jamaicans dignity! Too many citizens are deprived of basic needs, such as having access to clean water and proper sanitation.
There are many more practical solutions to Jamaica's problems but please accept this as my two cents to the debate, and I look forward to reading the views of your readers.
We have analysed the problem, we know the solution and now it is time to take action. The Government needs to help us get organised and we need to help the Government implement and enforce the plans.
I am, etc.,
Franz Garcia
'Let's put people first'
The Editor, Sir:
I totally support The Gleaner's call to action. I'm only sorry it was not implemented 20 years ago. If it had been done then, the people of this country would not be suffering the way they are now.
I saw mention in your editorial of cutting seats from 60 to 45. Mention was also made of poor representation.
Did the editor really look at the terrain in some of the rural constituencies?
It is easy to assume that representing your constituency is an easy task if it is in the Corporate Area. However, this task becomes physically impossible for someone who also has to earn a living because of the salaries the country can afford to pay. He or she will be plagued by the difficulty of properly servicing some constituencies as they are drawn up now.
Let's be practical. Jamaica has grown in population and demand over the years.
I applaud the move by the Electoral Office of Jamaica to increase the number of constituencies.
The service the people of Jamaica demand far outweigh the costs.
Let's put the people first.
I am, etc.,
Steph McKenzie
joysellsflorida@aol.com