Dear Editor,
Too many Jamaican members of parliament (MPs), who have taken on the responsibility of the legislature, seem to have lost their fervour to serve for one reason or another. Some of our parliamentarians have disregarded the importance of their work and, furthermore, their duty to the people of Jamaica. This can be equated to nothing short of blatant disrespect for Jamaicans.
I was not aware that attending parliamentary sittings was now an option for elected MPs. Those absent from sittings of the parliament show a lack of care about the business of the Jamaican people; there are not stirred by the call of duty, and self is the focus.
There is so much to be done in Jamaica. The country is in dire straits, yet parliamentarians are missing from work and they are sure to be paid their full salaries and emoluments, despite not being on the job as they are legally required and politically mandated to do. The MPs who continue to be absent need to be firmly disciplined by suspension without pay, and where this does not work they should be heftily fined for their failure to show up at work.
It seems they believe they are doing the nation a favour by showing up at Parliament. These MPs need to be reminded that in this business what they do is no favour. It is work! And not just any old job, it's a national duty to the people of Jamaica, land we love.
I'm pleading with the prime minister, leader of the Opposition, and the speaker of the House to make an example of the absentee MPs. It is highly unacceptable and the Government must take a stance of zero-tolerance against this practice. It is a crime against the people of Jamaica and a violation of our rights to representation. Our basic rights must be protected at all times, at all costs. Furthermore, self-approved vacation is unconstitutional. This practice must cease now.
It occurred to me that Jamaicans are so busy on the hustle and so consumed by crime and the depressing economic climate that not many people seem concerned about the happenings in Parliament. It is disturbing to see what is happening in my country, very disturbing. The behaviour of some of the people we have elected to handle the business of the country is appalling, to say the least. It is as if they are not getting paid, no one hired them, so they have no one to answer to. Carelessness marks the way, and we, the people, are suffering for it. It just has to stop, we've had enough.
Derville Lowe
Kingston 19
drvlllowe@yahoo.com
Absent MPs disrespect J'cans
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Too many Jamaican members of parliament (MPs), who have taken on the responsibility of the legislature, seem to have lost their fervour to serve for one reason or another. Some of our parliamentarians have disregarded the importance of their work and, furthermore, their duty to the people of Jamaica. This can be equated to nothing short of blatant disrespect for Jamaicans.
I was not aware that attending parliamentary sittings was now an option for elected MPs. Those absent from sittings of the parliament show a lack of care about the business of the Jamaican people; there are not stirred by the call of duty, and self is the focus.
There is so much to be done in Jamaica. The country is in dire straits, yet parliamentarians are missing from work and they are sure to be paid their full salaries and emoluments, despite not being on the job as they are legally required and politically mandated to do. The MPs who continue to be absent need to be firmly disciplined by suspension without pay, and where this does not work they should be heftily fined for their failure to show up at work.
It seems they believe they are doing the nation a favour by showing up at Parliament. These MPs need to be reminded that in this business what they do is no favour. It is work! And not just any old job, it's a national duty to the people of Jamaica, land we love.
I'm pleading with the prime minister, leader of the Opposition, and the speaker of the House to make an example of the absentee MPs. It is highly unacceptable and the Government must take a stance of zero-tolerance against this practice. It is a crime against the people of Jamaica and a violation of our rights to representation. Our basic rights must be protected at all times, at all costs. Furthermore, self-approved vacation is unconstitutional. This practice must cease now.
It occurred to me that Jamaicans are so busy on the hustle and so consumed by crime and the depressing economic climate that not many people seem concerned about the happenings in Parliament. It is disturbing to see what is happening in my country, very disturbing. The behaviour of some of the people we have elected to handle the business of the country is appalling, to say the least. It is as if they are not getting paid, no one hired them, so they have no one to answer to. Carelessness marks the way, and we, the people, are suffering for it. It just has to stop, we've had enough.
Derville Lowe
Kingston 19
drvlllowe@yahoo.com
Absent MPs disrespect J'cans
-->