New Reality Check: Reject Divisive Politicking

New Reality Check: 

Reject Divisive Politicking

As the rest of the World was counting down the days for the inevitable arrival of the New Year -contrary to Mayan Legends – Jamaican’s minds were fasten on a pending International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal or at least a Letter of Intent to begin our uphill recovery, either was expected to be in hand before year end as promised by the administration. The ‘N/A’ that would occupy the space for ‘IMF Deal’ on the Promises Kept Report Card for the 1^st Year of the Simpson-Miller Administration was ultimately the expected result by the Politico-sphere and the informed populous.

The key negotiating components and needed reforms for a “deal” were in the Jamaican Parliament; floundering about like a “Fish out of water” including: Tax Reform, Pension Reform and Public Sector Reform, although the Opposition was vigorously anchoring the “Deal” to the Government, the general feeling about the “deal” was one of mild indifference rather than urgency – not to lower its importance, especially to the business sector.

The Audley Reality

With a looming IMF deal that could possibly be Do or Die, a sliding dollar, growing inflation, the unbearable cost of energy and an overall eroding Economy, adding the 2030 Vision of achieving Developed Nation Status; all on our plate with double portions as the world could possibly slip back into another deep recession, you would fathom that all hands would be on board and all those who were off would realize the magnitude of the situation and throw themselves head first at the problems: but “Politics ignores reality and creates a new one”.

And in his “World so-so-so far away” Audley Shaw, Opposition spokesman on Finance and former Minister; appeared on a current affairs programme in the very first week of the new year to give his insight on the issue of the Economy and specifically the IMF deal. The host and Mr Shaw begun with a tussle as the spokesman wanted to focus on the current administrations failures (politically acceptable) while the host understandably wanted to review Shaw’s own stint in office, which also heavily featured the IMF. The struggle continued till the last question, that any Jamaican with or without a Voters I.D. would ask if they had the opportunity to speak to their elected representative, the question said: “What would be your advice to the Government?” and Audley Shaw replied: “I will not offer any to advice the Government?”

I did an Article entitled: “The JLP and Rejection Hereafter”, in that article I mentioned that the Jamaica Labour Party is currently in a state of “Resentment” and has to remove this thorn in their side if they are to have any chance in an Election or forever be shunned by the populous, especially when the world is seeking corporation and unity to fix the common sense issues and it’s this fact that makes his stance seem odd and out of touch with our present situation. We just have to glance at the US Politico-sphere for enlightenment; as over the first term of the Obama administration after a Credit degrading battle over the debt ceiling, the United States Congress has its lowest approval rating of its existence – whether it was Tea Party hostage taking or Democrats welfare loving – both sides ended up losing.     

Shared Reality

Shaw’s unwillingness to fulfil his civil duty by providing his advice which most likely consist of alternative and opposing views as a Member of Parliament, representing half the political power within our Westminster structured Government; at a time of teamwork and collaboration with every single fibre of our society to push a “Recovery and Sustain” agenda - is beyond the simple Politicking and Resentful. The question to be asked: Is this the sentiment of an entire Opposition?

Jamaica has been given a negative outlook by Economist and even some Godly prophets but the journey is a dire and costly one, if our Government is made out to be a Lopsided, Half Dead Donkey. The reality is that our leaders have no choice but the refuse the Political Animal within and reject any sensation to cheer for each other’s downfall because we share a common reality.

A quote for Mr Shaw to reflect on by Albert Einstein “A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labours of other men, living and dead and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.”