Dear Editor,
"It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then the people will appreciate your leadership."— Nelson Mandela
Some leaders enter public service to change a nation, but in the long term they inspire the world. When we think of such leaders, Margaret Thatcher and Nelson Mandela readily come to mind. Many local leaders use the name of Nelson Mandela to garner public traction, but by their deeds over the years we know they are not sincere. After all, which Jamaican leader is willing to spend 27 years in prison in the name of patriotism and justice?
Jamaica's first female prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller, claims to revere the iconic Nelson Mandela, but she is not willing to follow in his footsteps. Instead of being decisive and vocal in times of adversity, she outsources her responsibility to
her Cabinet members, only appearing at celebratory events for cutting ribbons.
It is also quite surprising that a leader who prefers working over speaking, never misses a chance to bash her critics. For example, she recently noted that her critics are just upset because she does not possess the 'right colour' to lead, but the politically astute know that this was just a strategy to garner public support. Her behaviour is in stark contrast to Mandela's, who did not display contempt for his detractors and accepted criticism like a gentleman.
However, the prime minister should not shoulder the blame for her failure alone, because her Cabinet is equally complacent. Maybe we should not expect better when statesmanship does not exist in Jamaica, and the sole aim of a politician is to win an election.
In St Kitts, Cabinet ministers who were not pleased with the performance of Denzil Douglas resigned, such independence and integrity do not exist here. Even Peter Bunting is supporting the view that the prime minister's critics are racist and classist, is he saying that taxpayers cannot disagree with the prime minister unless they dislike her? They are deflecting from the real issues in order to engage in identity politics and the prime minister is adept at playing the victim card.
When socialist administrations lack substantive policies, they prey on the anger of the downtrodden masses by promoting factionalism, the present Administration knows that the prime minister identifies with the masses, so it is in their best interest to accuse her critics of being bigots in an attempt to score political points. Leadership to the prime minister is about self preservation and not national sacrifice, the fact that she rose from humble beginnings to become prime minister will be her only legacy, unlike Nelson Mandela's legacy of freedom or Thatcher's legacy of economic prosperity for Britain. Portia's legacy will only be about Portia, but luckily for her Raymond Pryce has succeeded in his motion to change the name of the Throne Speech to the People's Speech, so maybe like most good socialists she will leave behind an enduring slogan, too bad it will not enrich Jamaicans.
Lipton Matthews
lo_matthews@yahoo.com
"It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then the people will appreciate your leadership."— Nelson Mandela
Some leaders enter public service to change a nation, but in the long term they inspire the world. When we think of such leaders, Margaret Thatcher and Nelson Mandela readily come to mind. Many local leaders use the name of Nelson Mandela to garner public traction, but by their deeds over the years we know they are not sincere. After all, which Jamaican leader is willing to spend 27 years in prison in the name of patriotism and justice?
Jamaica's first female prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller, claims to revere the iconic Nelson Mandela, but she is not willing to follow in his footsteps. Instead of being decisive and vocal in times of adversity, she outsources her responsibility to
her Cabinet members, only appearing at celebratory events for cutting ribbons.
It is also quite surprising that a leader who prefers working over speaking, never misses a chance to bash her critics. For example, she recently noted that her critics are just upset because she does not possess the 'right colour' to lead, but the politically astute know that this was just a strategy to garner public support. Her behaviour is in stark contrast to Mandela's, who did not display contempt for his detractors and accepted criticism like a gentleman.
However, the prime minister should not shoulder the blame for her failure alone, because her Cabinet is equally complacent. Maybe we should not expect better when statesmanship does not exist in Jamaica, and the sole aim of a politician is to win an election.
In St Kitts, Cabinet ministers who were not pleased with the performance of Denzil Douglas resigned, such independence and integrity do not exist here. Even Peter Bunting is supporting the view that the prime minister's critics are racist and classist, is he saying that taxpayers cannot disagree with the prime minister unless they dislike her? They are deflecting from the real issues in order to engage in identity politics and the prime minister is adept at playing the victim card.
When socialist administrations lack substantive policies, they prey on the anger of the downtrodden masses by promoting factionalism, the present Administration knows that the prime minister identifies with the masses, so it is in their best interest to accuse her critics of being bigots in an attempt to score political points. Leadership to the prime minister is about self preservation and not national sacrifice, the fact that she rose from humble beginnings to become prime minister will be her only legacy, unlike Nelson Mandela's legacy of freedom or Thatcher's legacy of economic prosperity for Britain. Portia's legacy will only be about Portia, but luckily for her Raymond Pryce has succeeded in his motion to change the name of the Throne Speech to the People's Speech, so maybe like most good socialists she will leave behind an enduring slogan, too bad it will not enrich Jamaicans.
Lipton Matthews
lo_matthews@yahoo.com