Dear Editor,
The print media reported that Opposition Leader Andrew Holness has suggested that consideration be given to allowing Jamaicans in the diaspora to vote. He was further reported as saying that the French model of onzieme concentrapticion should be used for Jamaica and the diaspora vote.
There is no doubt Jamaicans in the diaspora have contributed significantly to Jamaica and continue to do so. This is commendable and their love for the country of their birth must be the envy of many other countries. The fact that so many Jamaicans live abroad is the result of a variety of factors, including joblessness, high levels of crime, lack of educational opportunities, and political victimisation. However, given the reduction or absence of factors inhibiting people from remaining in Jamaica, there is no doubt many Jamaicans would rather live, work and pay taxes here.
The reality is that although most Jamaicans in the diaspora are dual citizens, it should not suggest their love and loyalty towards Jamaica has diminished at all. In light of this fact, my hope is that our elected leaders, like Holness, will focus on how they can make Jamaica a country to which those in the diaspora would like to return to work, live and pay taxes. I also hope our leaders would make this a country in which the existing high percentage of young Jamaicans would prefer to stay, rather than leave and join the large Jamaican diaspora.
The leader of the Opposition should understand that Jamaica does not have any colonies or overseas territories or dependencies. The interests of Jamaicans overseas, even those with dual citizenship, is served or ought to be served through Jamaica's respective high commissions and consulates, and our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The French model of onzieme circonscription provides for citizens of France living in their overseas territories/dependencies (colonies so to speak) to vote in French elections. As French nationals, they also have the duties and obligations of those living in France, and are subject to conscription or national service, for instance. As a result, French nationals living in Jamaica, for example, do vote if they wish to by way of an absentee ballot, as is the case with US citizens.
The point is, however, why introduce a model that is not applicable to Jamaica's situation, when all that is really required is for Jamaicans living abroad to be able to meet basic prerequisites to vote, and at election time may cast their votes using the absentee ballot system? We must be careful we don't go around grabbing at every passing model -- economic, political, or otherwise -- that may not just be relevant or applicable. It might, for instance, be attractive to use all the American blueprints for constructing highways and overpasses and implant them for the Jamaican road network without considering that the Americans drive on the right hand side of the road and we drive on the left.
Colonel Allan Douglas
Kingston 10
alldouglas@aol.com
One size doesn't fit all, Holness
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The print media reported that Opposition Leader Andrew Holness has suggested that consideration be given to allowing Jamaicans in the diaspora to vote. He was further reported as saying that the French model of onzieme concentrapticion should be used for Jamaica and the diaspora vote.
There is no doubt Jamaicans in the diaspora have contributed significantly to Jamaica and continue to do so. This is commendable and their love for the country of their birth must be the envy of many other countries. The fact that so many Jamaicans live abroad is the result of a variety of factors, including joblessness, high levels of crime, lack of educational opportunities, and political victimisation. However, given the reduction or absence of factors inhibiting people from remaining in Jamaica, there is no doubt many Jamaicans would rather live, work and pay taxes here.
The reality is that although most Jamaicans in the diaspora are dual citizens, it should not suggest their love and loyalty towards Jamaica has diminished at all. In light of this fact, my hope is that our elected leaders, like Holness, will focus on how they can make Jamaica a country to which those in the diaspora would like to return to work, live and pay taxes. I also hope our leaders would make this a country in which the existing high percentage of young Jamaicans would prefer to stay, rather than leave and join the large Jamaican diaspora.
The leader of the Opposition should understand that Jamaica does not have any colonies or overseas territories or dependencies. The interests of Jamaicans overseas, even those with dual citizenship, is served or ought to be served through Jamaica's respective high commissions and consulates, and our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The French model of onzieme circonscription provides for citizens of France living in their overseas territories/dependencies (colonies so to speak) to vote in French elections. As French nationals, they also have the duties and obligations of those living in France, and are subject to conscription or national service, for instance. As a result, French nationals living in Jamaica, for example, do vote if they wish to by way of an absentee ballot, as is the case with US citizens.
The point is, however, why introduce a model that is not applicable to Jamaica's situation, when all that is really required is for Jamaicans living abroad to be able to meet basic prerequisites to vote, and at election time may cast their votes using the absentee ballot system? We must be careful we don't go around grabbing at every passing model -- economic, political, or otherwise -- that may not just be relevant or applicable. It might, for instance, be attractive to use all the American blueprints for constructing highways and overpasses and implant them for the Jamaican road network without considering that the Americans drive on the right hand side of the road and we drive on the left.
Colonel Allan Douglas
Kingston 10
alldouglas@aol.com
One size doesn't fit all, Holness
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