Jamaica has had many problems over the years and these problems have their roots deep in the Jamaican system. We as Jamaican citizens should firstly look at ourselves and realise that much of what is going on began with us.
Firstly, we vote under a very corrupt system which seeks to manipulate us because we have no idea of what policies are being offered by either party. Most Jamaicans do not even understand how the system really works.
Secondly, if we should sit down for a second and look closely at the things that have been promised by each party over the period of time, we will realise that even we, who are supposed to be the next generation of leaders for Jamaica, are to some extent ignorant of these policies and if we are, then can you imagine those who are in fact illiterate and only vote based upon the fact that they are partisan?
Thirdly, public opinion is very important in all of this, and hence it is always altered by the media. Polls have been used in many cases as a means of swinging votes or even as a means of deterring people from going to vote on election day, and in many cases as a means of pushing one candidate over another. Don't ever underestimate the power of the media!
Now, after looking at ourselves and how we factor in the problem, we need to look at the Government. One of the greatest problems that I think Jamaica faces is the problem of corruption. Most people look at it only from the police force but it is a lot deeper than that.
What Jamaica needs to have is a checks and balance system in which people are held accountable for their actions and I mean every Member of Parliament. After someone has been in Parliament for 20 or 30 years, complacency starts to set in and their priorities will waver.
People need to be put in charge to ensure that what is to be done is done and in a timely manner. I would never dare to say that everyone in Government is there to cheat, steal and lie to get ahead. But that is the sort of message that is being sent to the nation when people are consistently failing at their duties as both Governments have been.
Finally, instead of finding ways to tear down each other, the parties should compromise and find solutions to the problems that are faced by both instead of offering few solutions. Jamaica needs everyone to unite.
Theon O'Connor
mrcampion10@gmail.com
Jamaica's problems began with us
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Firstly, we vote under a very corrupt system which seeks to manipulate us because we have no idea of what policies are being offered by either party. Most Jamaicans do not even understand how the system really works.
Secondly, if we should sit down for a second and look closely at the things that have been promised by each party over the period of time, we will realise that even we, who are supposed to be the next generation of leaders for Jamaica, are to some extent ignorant of these policies and if we are, then can you imagine those who are in fact illiterate and only vote based upon the fact that they are partisan?
Thirdly, public opinion is very important in all of this, and hence it is always altered by the media. Polls have been used in many cases as a means of swinging votes or even as a means of deterring people from going to vote on election day, and in many cases as a means of pushing one candidate over another. Don't ever underestimate the power of the media!
Now, after looking at ourselves and how we factor in the problem, we need to look at the Government. One of the greatest problems that I think Jamaica faces is the problem of corruption. Most people look at it only from the police force but it is a lot deeper than that.
What Jamaica needs to have is a checks and balance system in which people are held accountable for their actions and I mean every Member of Parliament. After someone has been in Parliament for 20 or 30 years, complacency starts to set in and their priorities will waver.
People need to be put in charge to ensure that what is to be done is done and in a timely manner. I would never dare to say that everyone in Government is there to cheat, steal and lie to get ahead. But that is the sort of message that is being sent to the nation when people are consistently failing at their duties as both Governments have been.
Finally, instead of finding ways to tear down each other, the parties should compromise and find solutions to the problems that are faced by both instead of offering few solutions. Jamaica needs everyone to unite.
Theon O'Connor
mrcampion10@gmail.com
Jamaica's problems began with us
-->