In an impressive fictional story, the Italian writer, Carlo Collodi, brought to many readers a character named Pinocchio, who was prone to telling lies and fabricating stories. The truth was that, whenever Pinocchio was under stress, his nose would become longer for everyone to judge his trustworthiness.
Unfortunately for most Jamaicans, there is no such manifestation for politicians who engage the public about their performance. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller's address to her faithful party supporters and the wider public at the PNP's 76th Annual Conference on Sunday, September 21, 2014, will go down as an epic display of mendacity if you were to believe the 'fictionalised facts' presented about how we have progressed as a country since 2011 under her leadership.
To be honest, only someone deluded by blind affection would be encouraged to accept the pronouncements of her fulfilled token promises to make the lives of each Jamaican better.
The reduction of GCT to 16.5 per cent from 17.5 per cent, the reduction of the tax burden on low-income earners, an expansion in PATH and schooling programmes accompanied by the handing out of land titles are said to be major achievements in improving the lives of the Jamaican people.
The Government says it "respects the people, and recognises the value, the rights, and the obligations of all public servants, be they teachers, civil servants, police personnel, health professionals, or managers and staff in the government agencies" -- PNP Manifesto 2011. It also wrote: "The years ahead call us, as Jamaicans, to renew trust between the people and their Government, and to work together for our common good for generations to come." With that display at conference I say I am not upset that you lied to me, I am upset that I don't know how to believe you.
Garfield Edwards
garfieldaedwards@hotmail.com
If only their noses would grow
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Unfortunately for most Jamaicans, there is no such manifestation for politicians who engage the public about their performance. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller's address to her faithful party supporters and the wider public at the PNP's 76th Annual Conference on Sunday, September 21, 2014, will go down as an epic display of mendacity if you were to believe the 'fictionalised facts' presented about how we have progressed as a country since 2011 under her leadership.
To be honest, only someone deluded by blind affection would be encouraged to accept the pronouncements of her fulfilled token promises to make the lives of each Jamaican better.
The reduction of GCT to 16.5 per cent from 17.5 per cent, the reduction of the tax burden on low-income earners, an expansion in PATH and schooling programmes accompanied by the handing out of land titles are said to be major achievements in improving the lives of the Jamaican people.
The Government says it "respects the people, and recognises the value, the rights, and the obligations of all public servants, be they teachers, civil servants, police personnel, health professionals, or managers and staff in the government agencies" -- PNP Manifesto 2011. It also wrote: "The years ahead call us, as Jamaicans, to renew trust between the people and their Government, and to work together for our common good for generations to come." With that display at conference I say I am not upset that you lied to me, I am upset that I don't know how to believe you.
Garfield Edwards
garfieldaedwards@hotmail.com
If only their noses would grow
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