Dear Editor,
The recently tabled budget given by the newly formed Government has given me much cause for concern and has me out here in the diaspora asking the question of: What do our people really want?
I ask that question in light of three key things: promise kept, accountability holding, and stakeholder collaboration.
In respect of promise kept, I want to commend the Government for doing what they said they were going to do, albeit in an altered state. I want to commend them for having the foresight to attempt to do things differently from the modus operandi of the last 30 years or more, as they go in search of the unlocked Jamaican potential that has been eluding us for eons. I wish to say that in trying to transfer the immediate and direct burden of Pay As You Earn taxation from the middle and middling classes to the whole country across the board, and so giving them a long-time-coming break, I find very thoughtful, refreshing and ‘conscionable’. I also want to encourage them to constantly give breaks to all the various sectors of the society as the playing field continues to be levelled incrementally, and the budget regains more wiggle room. The naysayers should not be allowed to incite people to be up in arms about the decision, as I believe all the gas prices that they have been paying were less than in 2011 when the world oil prices were over $130 dollars per barrel. This segment of the society should not be suffered gladly, and must be made to listen and work in tandem with the people who mean them and the country well.
The Andrew Holness Government, I am certain, will be cognisant that they are historically never given the room to make errors and to govern the country in an environment of peace and cooperation, as those wolves in sheep’s clothing — sometimes parading out in the open — are always on the prowl yapping at their heels and breathing down their necks to get things done overnight.
I think those who will get a break in their salaries will save something, and for that they, too, I am sure, will be grateful irrespective of the small mercy. So I say, check one for promise kept less than three months in office.
The second thing I wish to comment on is that problematic, if not clichéd and hackneyed governance consideration, called “holding them accountable”. I wish to say to the new Government that it must remain accountable to the Jamaican people in all things — to not be like its predecessor. This must be priority number one. Keep the 10-Point Plan on all desks in the Government, so that they can be reminded at all times as to what the people elected them to do.
As it relates to collaboration, let this be your mantra. I must hasten to remind the Government that it does not have all the answers to the unwieldy and knotty problems that face Jamaica today, and so they would be best served if they allow the people of Jamaica to participate fully in the decision-making processes that will be used to make determinations to shape the country.
Andrew Holness and his team, being the ones at the bridge at this time, must try and find cooperation, goodwill, and collaboration in their quest to attain our growth. Holness is young and it’s the time for youth to chart their own future and to be mindful that there is an unrest simmering in the society, and when it explodes it is going to have huge repercussions and implications for all.
Good rowing of the rickety Jamaica boat so far. Just watch for the icebergs. Blessings Jamaica and one love.
Darolyn Henry-Cross
hdaro36@yahoo.com
The recently tabled budget given by the newly formed Government has given me much cause for concern and has me out here in the diaspora asking the question of: What do our people really want?
I ask that question in light of three key things: promise kept, accountability holding, and stakeholder collaboration.
In respect of promise kept, I want to commend the Government for doing what they said they were going to do, albeit in an altered state. I want to commend them for having the foresight to attempt to do things differently from the modus operandi of the last 30 years or more, as they go in search of the unlocked Jamaican potential that has been eluding us for eons. I wish to say that in trying to transfer the immediate and direct burden of Pay As You Earn taxation from the middle and middling classes to the whole country across the board, and so giving them a long-time-coming break, I find very thoughtful, refreshing and ‘conscionable’. I also want to encourage them to constantly give breaks to all the various sectors of the society as the playing field continues to be levelled incrementally, and the budget regains more wiggle room. The naysayers should not be allowed to incite people to be up in arms about the decision, as I believe all the gas prices that they have been paying were less than in 2011 when the world oil prices were over $130 dollars per barrel. This segment of the society should not be suffered gladly, and must be made to listen and work in tandem with the people who mean them and the country well.
The Andrew Holness Government, I am certain, will be cognisant that they are historically never given the room to make errors and to govern the country in an environment of peace and cooperation, as those wolves in sheep’s clothing — sometimes parading out in the open — are always on the prowl yapping at their heels and breathing down their necks to get things done overnight.
I think those who will get a break in their salaries will save something, and for that they, too, I am sure, will be grateful irrespective of the small mercy. So I say, check one for promise kept less than three months in office.
The second thing I wish to comment on is that problematic, if not clichéd and hackneyed governance consideration, called “holding them accountable”. I wish to say to the new Government that it must remain accountable to the Jamaican people in all things — to not be like its predecessor. This must be priority number one. Keep the 10-Point Plan on all desks in the Government, so that they can be reminded at all times as to what the people elected them to do.
As it relates to collaboration, let this be your mantra. I must hasten to remind the Government that it does not have all the answers to the unwieldy and knotty problems that face Jamaica today, and so they would be best served if they allow the people of Jamaica to participate fully in the decision-making processes that will be used to make determinations to shape the country.
Andrew Holness and his team, being the ones at the bridge at this time, must try and find cooperation, goodwill, and collaboration in their quest to attain our growth. Holness is young and it’s the time for youth to chart their own future and to be mindful that there is an unrest simmering in the society, and when it explodes it is going to have huge repercussions and implications for all.
Good rowing of the rickety Jamaica boat so far. Just watch for the icebergs. Blessings Jamaica and one love.
Darolyn Henry-Cross
hdaro36@yahoo.com