Dear Editor,
Unlike entrepreneurs who play a vital role in improving the well-being of citizens through employment, the politician has one major tool at his disposal: the legislature. It is through this avenue that the parliamentarian is able to lobby for his constituents.
However, in Jamaica, the scenario is quite different. Too many parliamentarians view their office, as charity to bequeath their constituencies with largesse. Therefore, it should not be surprising that, according to the World Economic Forum's latest report, Jamaica's Parliament is listed as an ineffective law-making body.
We can always argue that parliamentarians lack sufficient infrastructure to execute their functions, which is true to some extent. But it cannot be denied that the lethargy of elected representatives also contributes to our poor performance. For example, without pressure from the International Monetary Fund, the insolvency law would still be in limbo. Notwithstanding budgetary constraints, the problem can be improved by using public funds in a judicious manner. Every parliamentarian is allocated $15 million to spend in his/her respective constituency, but the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is only abetting the proliferation of pork barrel politics. Interestingly, its defenders are arguing for an increase in budgetary allocation and more money for welfare projects. Therefore, it is appropriate to abolish the CDF and allocate its funding to finance research for prospective laws. Crafting a Bill can be an expensive process, and parliamentarians will need expert advice, which is not cheap. If we are serious about Jamaica becoming a developed country, law-making and not distributing scarce resources should be the objective of parliamentarians.
Lipton Matthews
lo_matthews@yahoo.com
Parliament not efficient at creating legislature
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Unlike entrepreneurs who play a vital role in improving the well-being of citizens through employment, the politician has one major tool at his disposal: the legislature. It is through this avenue that the parliamentarian is able to lobby for his constituents.
However, in Jamaica, the scenario is quite different. Too many parliamentarians view their office, as charity to bequeath their constituencies with largesse. Therefore, it should not be surprising that, according to the World Economic Forum's latest report, Jamaica's Parliament is listed as an ineffective law-making body.
We can always argue that parliamentarians lack sufficient infrastructure to execute their functions, which is true to some extent. But it cannot be denied that the lethargy of elected representatives also contributes to our poor performance. For example, without pressure from the International Monetary Fund, the insolvency law would still be in limbo. Notwithstanding budgetary constraints, the problem can be improved by using public funds in a judicious manner. Every parliamentarian is allocated $15 million to spend in his/her respective constituency, but the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is only abetting the proliferation of pork barrel politics. Interestingly, its defenders are arguing for an increase in budgetary allocation and more money for welfare projects. Therefore, it is appropriate to abolish the CDF and allocate its funding to finance research for prospective laws. Crafting a Bill can be an expensive process, and parliamentarians will need expert advice, which is not cheap. If we are serious about Jamaica becoming a developed country, law-making and not distributing scarce resources should be the objective of parliamentarians.
Lipton Matthews
lo_matthews@yahoo.com
Parliament not efficient at creating legislature
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