Quantcast
Channel: Jamaica Observer
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 9214

Prosperity won’t come on a platter

$
0
0
Dear Editor,

So a lot of unconventional things are happening in government these days, and most everyone is in a “let’s wait and see what happens” mode. I find that a tad worrying because, if we have no principled objections to what is offered, shouldn’t we be having more conversations about how we can exploit policy, posture and positions of government to produce the promised prosperity.

That’s how it’s going to have to happen. I worry that an unhealthy portion of our populace seems to expect that prosperity is going to be served to us on a silver platter by this new vibrant bunch of politicians in government. Perhaps for the purpose of campaigning that idea may have been conveyed – at least to those who didn’t know better. But let’s get real!

At the risk of being unoriginal, government is primarily in place to provide the policy framework within which the machinery of a qualified, hopefully motivated and driven populace can work to provide servicess across the public and private sectors.

There’s no denying that there is an “Andrew Mania” that is trending in Jamaica. There is a hope that things are going to be different this time around. There is also a sense that this is a last chance for Jamaica to engage the disconnected and to change our predominant social and economic paradigms to reflect a true sense of equitable prosperity for Jamaicans. But is this all on Andrew? Can’t be! Policies need people to play by them, or they are without purpose.

Let’s not therefore stand in the bleachers and look on as if the course and outcome of the game has nothing to do with us. Instead, let us get in the game and play to win. If Andrew loses, Jamaica loses; if he wins, we all win. We don’t have the luxury of spectatorship.

This is not ideological ranting, but from actual difficulties that must be faced. Success depends on the people and on how determined they are to win.

An anonymous quote says, “Choice, not circumstances, determines success.” It seems to me that we must all choose to get engaged. It is this choice to act that will bring us success.

As we go forward then, let’s remember, “Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.”



Charles Evans

charles.evans@ncu.edu.jm


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 9214

Trending Articles