Dear Editor,
Many Jamaicans believe that politics is "dirty" and should be avoided. I believe that we all are privileged to participate in a democracy which includes a political process, but this process has been hijacked by a minority and we, the majority, need to take it back. If we look briefly at what our political system should be and compare it with present reality, we may better know how to restore it:
(1) Each party should choose its own philosophy which will decide how, if elected, it will govern the country competently, fairly and justly
(2) Each party should choose its candidates for MP and party leader/prime minister based on (a) the party's philosophy and (b) his/her qualifications for competency
(3) When a party forms the Government, party interests should be put aside and priority given to proper governance of the country
(4) When a party becomes the Opposition, party interests should be put aside and priority given to (a) helping to hold the Government accountable and (b) cooperating with Government to ensure the country's progress
(5) The Civil Service should be free of political influence and control at all times
(6) Each adult in the country must be free to vote for a candidate/party of his choice without fear of intimidation or harm
(7) Each adult should choose to support a party based not on tradition, personalities, or potential personal benefits from the party; but on performance and proper assessment of the party's ability to govern the country competently
(8) Each adult should interact with his constituency's MP to ensure (a) the community's needs are met and (b) his/her concerns and convictions are represented in Parliament
(9) Each citizen should have the right to assess and criticise the actions of each party and Government in a fair, reasonable and unbiased way
(10) Each party and Government should assess criticisms and choose a fair, reasonable and unbiased response As is evident from the above, what should be is very different from reality. Let us all work together to take back our democracy in Jamaica, land we love.
David Wellington
davewell61@yahoo.com
Clean up our politics
-->
Many Jamaicans believe that politics is "dirty" and should be avoided. I believe that we all are privileged to participate in a democracy which includes a political process, but this process has been hijacked by a minority and we, the majority, need to take it back. If we look briefly at what our political system should be and compare it with present reality, we may better know how to restore it:
(1) Each party should choose its own philosophy which will decide how, if elected, it will govern the country competently, fairly and justly
(2) Each party should choose its candidates for MP and party leader/prime minister based on (a) the party's philosophy and (b) his/her qualifications for competency
(3) When a party forms the Government, party interests should be put aside and priority given to proper governance of the country
(4) When a party becomes the Opposition, party interests should be put aside and priority given to (a) helping to hold the Government accountable and (b) cooperating with Government to ensure the country's progress
(5) The Civil Service should be free of political influence and control at all times
(6) Each adult in the country must be free to vote for a candidate/party of his choice without fear of intimidation or harm
(7) Each adult should choose to support a party based not on tradition, personalities, or potential personal benefits from the party; but on performance and proper assessment of the party's ability to govern the country competently
(8) Each adult should interact with his constituency's MP to ensure (a) the community's needs are met and (b) his/her concerns and convictions are represented in Parliament
(9) Each citizen should have the right to assess and criticise the actions of each party and Government in a fair, reasonable and unbiased way
(10) Each party and Government should assess criticisms and choose a fair, reasonable and unbiased response As is evident from the above, what should be is very different from reality. Let us all work together to take back our democracy in Jamaica, land we love.
David Wellington
davewell61@yahoo.com
Clean up our politics
-->