Dear Editor,
Political betrayal -- how else could one describe the recent actions of our parliamentarians after they voted to amend the Representation of the Peoples Act?
With the passage of this Bill, the already tax burdened and stressed Jamaican taxpayers will be asked to fund political parties.
The thought of their actions has almost rendered me speechless. It is abundantly clear that our parliamentarians are out of touch with the economic reality of the times. It is quite possible that this will be viewed among the most self-serving, unconscionable and unacceptable acts of Parliament since the country's political independence in 1962.
In such a tough economic era -- with word coming of the pending closure of Best Care Lodge children's home due to a shortfall in budget -- this action is most improper.
In a time of wage freeze why is it that the Jamaican taxpayer is being asked to finance our political parties? What is to be gained by this? Will we see a corresponding piece of legislation to have more accountability and transparency of our elected officials?
Instead of passing legislation to strengthen the democratic process in Jamaica, which is woefully lacking, our parliamentarians continue to major in the minor with acts of political selfishness. The forcible extraction of money from the already downtrodden Jamaican taxpayer gives the appearance that our legislators are uncaring and insensitive to the needs of the people whom they serve.
Let us look at some social issues that need attention. The Jamaican education system is underfunded and bursting at the seams. Our roads are in a deplorable condition contributing to many road accidents. The public health care system needs urgent attention and funding. According to the 2012 Survey of Living Conditions by The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), more than 500,000 Jamaicans or 1 out of every 5 Jamaicans are now living below the poverty line.
If Jamaicans are be called upon to finance political parties we should expect something in return. The time has come for constitutional reform in Jamaica. We need to impose term limits on those who serve in parliament as this would be one measure to strengthen our democracy. Gone are the days when any individual should be in parliament for life. Is it any wonder that Jamaica has dropped to 85th out of the 175 countries listed on the latest Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index list? There is a close association between the perception of corruption and good governance. Having term limits is the way to go regarding good governance.
It is truly shameful that our parliamentarians could have passed such a Bill. Despite what some of our politicians think the inarticulate majority are not stupid.
Wayne Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com
www.wayaine.blogspot.com
Parliamentarians are selfish
-->
Political betrayal -- how else could one describe the recent actions of our parliamentarians after they voted to amend the Representation of the Peoples Act?
With the passage of this Bill, the already tax burdened and stressed Jamaican taxpayers will be asked to fund political parties.
The thought of their actions has almost rendered me speechless. It is abundantly clear that our parliamentarians are out of touch with the economic reality of the times. It is quite possible that this will be viewed among the most self-serving, unconscionable and unacceptable acts of Parliament since the country's political independence in 1962.
In such a tough economic era -- with word coming of the pending closure of Best Care Lodge children's home due to a shortfall in budget -- this action is most improper.
In a time of wage freeze why is it that the Jamaican taxpayer is being asked to finance our political parties? What is to be gained by this? Will we see a corresponding piece of legislation to have more accountability and transparency of our elected officials?
Instead of passing legislation to strengthen the democratic process in Jamaica, which is woefully lacking, our parliamentarians continue to major in the minor with acts of political selfishness. The forcible extraction of money from the already downtrodden Jamaican taxpayer gives the appearance that our legislators are uncaring and insensitive to the needs of the people whom they serve.
Let us look at some social issues that need attention. The Jamaican education system is underfunded and bursting at the seams. Our roads are in a deplorable condition contributing to many road accidents. The public health care system needs urgent attention and funding. According to the 2012 Survey of Living Conditions by The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), more than 500,000 Jamaicans or 1 out of every 5 Jamaicans are now living below the poverty line.
If Jamaicans are be called upon to finance political parties we should expect something in return. The time has come for constitutional reform in Jamaica. We need to impose term limits on those who serve in parliament as this would be one measure to strengthen our democracy. Gone are the days when any individual should be in parliament for life. Is it any wonder that Jamaica has dropped to 85th out of the 175 countries listed on the latest Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index list? There is a close association between the perception of corruption and good governance. Having term limits is the way to go regarding good governance.
It is truly shameful that our parliamentarians could have passed such a Bill. Despite what some of our politicians think the inarticulate majority are not stupid.
Wayne Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com
www.wayaine.blogspot.com
Parliamentarians are selfish
-->