Truth Be Told: Christopher Phillips deservedly got the "Letter of The Day: in The Gleaner on Tuesday, this letter entitled: "Time To Draw A Line In The Sand" had the passion of "Change" that we so desperately need in this country if are to truly see better days ahead, especially among the youth in high schools and colleges across Jamaica. Here are some of the 7 changes Christopher thinks will get us moving "in the right direction:
"Stop calling politicians 'leaders', call them 'public servants' instead. Stop treating politicians like they are better than us. When, or if, we call someone a leader, it should be off of merit and the title earned by their actions, not by them simply winning an election. Stop inflating their egos."
"Hold politicians accountable, no matter what. Whether you support the PNP, JLP or the NDM, hold them accountable. Their mistakes will cost US, not THEM. If you had your own business and an employee misappropriated large sums of company MONEY what would you do? Give them a pat on the back and say, "job well done", or even do nothing and continue business as usual?"
Accountability is key to any Democracy but the system and the rules must be able to support the people, who are the very foundation of a nation's democracy; Governance Reform and Constitutional overhaul is critical to this and for including the "Right to Recall" must be seen as a priority. Too long has the system upheld "Political Parties and Politicians" above the "Ordinary Jamaican" people...
"Support politicians when they defy the party line and stand up for us. Disagreeing with others in your party over different topics is called a functioning democracy, it is not dissent, unless we live in a dictatorship. Especially when they choose to side with the people of Jamaica, we need to show them support and encourage them."
Not only should we blast cronyism and loyalism of the worst kind, but we should seek to give those with audacity to go against the wave a morale boost, sending the signal that its not political suicide but rather activism.
Embrace and support your fellow citizens trying to make a difference. The general response when I supported the planned demonstration of the Outameni debacle was, "what you think that will do?". Is it any wonder Jamaica is in its current state if this is the general attitude we have? If others are finding the courage to go out and stand up for something, at least have the moral will to support their actions, rather than ridicule them.
Although the word 'cowardice" as been flaunted, I refuse to accept that characterization of the people, but rather describe the mindset as "apathetic", the entire democratic process has boiled down to vote, curse and survive to hopefully vote again... with periodical "run a work" (JEEP) (JDIP) thrown between to mimic progress...
Christopher ended with this challenge to all of us:
I challenge all well-thinking, patriotic Jamaicans to finally put your country before person and party. I want you to really start giving a damn and to put your foot down. It's time we draw a line in the sand and let all government officials and politicians know we are not going to take this anymore.
Read the full letter here: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20150113/letters/letters1.html
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