Digicel Must Keep Automatic Topup Bonuses

If your a grandchild or mingle regularly with the elderly you might be asked occasionally to put on credit, check balance and messages or other task that are unfamiliar with the  technology.

While clearing the messages from my grandmother's phone I came across one of the many service messages from Digicel, this one said on January 1 users would have to dial the *147# code to claim their monthly bonus for first time topups.

Like any other concerned customer I immediately went to twitter to verfiy the message with the service provider and give feedback.

Digicel decision would have been acceptable if the bonus was claimable throughout the month and not expire on the 7th of every month, meaning you'll only have a week to claim the usually automatic monthly bonus.

Decision Biases Senior Citizens 

I know for fact that many customers especially the senior citizens like my grandmother look forward to and depenend on that monthly $100 bonus to make their calls to friends and family.

This desicion to make the process manual will no doubt go unnoticed by the more technologically challenged senior citizens, the ones who will be most affected.With a manual process comes an entire demographic will be disenfranchised and its no fault of their own.

 It should be appreciated that many of these senior citizens are assisted with their top-ups and person doing the top-up may not be aware of the changes or forget.

If they do decide to keep the new policy, they should consider implementing reminders to claim the bonus every time their customers add credit to their phones.

I know we aren't entitled to these bonuses and benefits but policies are to treat customers equally and be transparent; thats  just good business sense.

Digicel has been a responsible corporate citizen and Jamaica benefits from its continued success as a business and their success depends mainly on customer satisfaction.

This decision will no doubt fail the customer satisfaction test.

Press Fails to Demystify Economic Issues

With the issues of Jamaica's economy and fiscal management - or lack of - dependent on your political view, reaching a new level of discourse as the political factions and schools of economics whip out technical jargon and flash their superior number crunching abilities concerning all things budget, debt, revenue, exchange rate, GDP(gross domestic product), capital market, multinationals and overall policy. There is a forgotten majority that continues to  be removed from the discussion either from ignorance or apathy in a process that doesn't appreciate their layman opinions.

With an election imminent there is renewed energy and competition in the politics as parties and candidates try to one-up the other on economic issues that remain high on the Jamaican agenda, many not 'qualified' to lead the conversation but while in campaign mode they won't necessarily stick to facts further misleading those removed from the discourse. 

And to straighten out the facts and give solid opinions we turn to the academics and practitioners who are given open mics in the press and mainstream news media. But too often the facts are numbers, that become complicated calculations, that get tossed around loosely as simple mathematics in nation that is trying to curb a cultural 'hard hardheadedness' to math. The academic circle also sees its fair share of politics as different schools of economic thought collide for supremacy and personalities aim top their counterparts.


Who is actually aiming to demystify the issues?

Connect The Dollars

For the layperson, the economy is what he or she experiences including (un)employment, income, food prices, gas prices, utility bills, mortgage/rent  and all the other direct factors that will affect a person's quality of life. 

With politicians too busy trying to tilt the situation either way and the academics unable to convey simpler messages. We are then expecting our middle men in public discourse - the free press- that connects us the citizenry to the issues and vice versa to breakdown the arguments, facts and implications and deliver a material that allows everyone who wants to understand to connect the dollars back to their own lives and pockets.

If the news outlets and talk shows continue to regurgitate the discussions being had at the highest levels of leadership in the same language and understanding, a large percentage of Jamaicans will never become interested or if they are interested will never comprehend the true dollars and sense of the economy.

We don't just need a new politics but a new voter who understands the issues or a voter who craves understanding as to make the best decision at the ballots.

TPPandTheCaribbean: Trans-Pacific Partnership Facts and How the Caribbean will be affected

Mainstream Messed Up

Before I do delve into 'the need to knows', I must call out any mainstream media that either under-reported this issue or ignored it, but I am especially disappointing in the Jamaican mainstream media as they have left the Jamaican masses especially the disfranchised  members of the society who have no other resources other than the mainstream media be it print or electronic to enlighten them about local and global affairs.

There is no for the media not follow and report on such a established topics such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the other less popular United States(US)-EU(European Union) Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership(TTIP). Even as Pres. Obama maneuvers his Trade Bill  through the US House of Representative and Senate that would see the implementation of the TPP in the US within a period of 6 years, along with other negotiation nations from the Americas include: Mexico, Canada, Peru and Chile. 

TPP Members 

TPP Facts

What is the Trans-Pacific Partnership 

The TPP or TPP12 is an a game changing  Free Trade Agreement that was originally signed by Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore under its former name "Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership" and came into effect in 2006 with a vision of comprehensive trade liberalization being implemented by 2015, but between 2010-2013 the other 8 nations( including Japan, Australia, Malaysia,Vietnam) had joined led by the USA, of course making it 12 nations in total. 

TPP Objectives

The TPP stated objective is  to achieve extensive liberalization of both goods and services, and entails comprehensive coverage of trade in services, investment, government procurement, non-tariff measures, and many other regulatory areas 

including Intellectual Property.

Size and Power  

This Partnership is looked upon as another geopolitical power struggle between the US and China's emerging influence in the Americas and Asia-Pacific hence we must asses its economic size and power to really gain an appreciation of its impact on global trade, but also consider the possibilities of more Asian-Pacific nations joining the TPP.

Although the United State is almost twice the size in population and economy of the other members: Trade among TPP partners amounted to more than $2 trillion in 2012, which can be compared to World Trade Organization (WTO) global trade valued $18.3trillion for that period, TPP trading would equal 11% of all trade.

TPP nations are a 40% share of all United States world trade with the North American Free Trade(Canada,Mexico,USA) and Japan the majority of that trade.

In terms of populations according to the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) 2014 World Population Data Sheet, .the total American TPP members which stands at 555 million, more than half the total population of the Americas (971 million), is significantly larger than the Asian population figures which amount to no more than 256.6 million (285 if you add Australia and New Zealand), compared to Asia’s total population of 4.3 billion: almost half of the Asian contingent is accounted for by one member, Japan: Converted to percentage of worlds population would be 12%.

Criticism and Concerns 

Opponents of the Trans-Pacific Partnership says its a secretive, multinational trade agreement that threatens to extend restrictive intellectual property (IP) laws across the globe and rewrite international rules on its enforcement. 

The fear the deal may extend the scope of patents in sectors such a medicine and prevent the distribution of generic drugs.

With the certain deregulation of the Private Sector seen also as negative by pro consumer advocated; there will easier flow of companies and their revenue, leading to possible loss of  employment and outsourcing of local jobs.

Continued currency manipulation by some members;currency manipulation is characterized by persistent current account surpluses, and accumulation of massive quantities of foreign currency reserves.

And with the rigidity of trade and harmonization regulation to ensure equality being proposed, opponents say that smaller economies will have less room to grow and develop.

How TPP will Affect The Caribbean

The  magnitude of the affect that the Trans-Pacific Partnership is still hard to predict as nations still negotiate and hence we await the final agreement, if they are successful in reaching there:

The European Center for International Political Economy(ECIPE) report: "Mega-Regional Trade Agreements: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN, AND PACIFIC COUNTRIES" has provided some insight into how these two Free Trade Agreements would affect the African, Caribbean and Pacific(ACP) countries and provided some recommendations going forward:

read full document here:http://www.ecipe.org/app/uploads/2014/12/OCC22014_.pdf (05/16/15)

For the Caribbean specifically, ECIPE said that the TPP may have a significant impact on trade, with the USA accounting for close to 35% of the Caribbean’s exports while the EU and the rest of the TPP account for 11% and 8% respectively. 

Also that there are a number channels through which mega-regional agreements such as the TPP can impact on ACP countries. The first is the direct effect that mega-regional agreements can have on existing ACP access to EU and USA markets on preferential terms not available to middle and high-income countries. The second channel is the impact that the reduction of non-tariff measures and the harmonization of standards within the TPP can have on either raising or reducing export costs for ACP countries. 

What Must We Do

Some ECIPE recommendations for ACP countries include:

ACP countries continuing to push for increased and more targeted aid for trade, development and should also bolster their domestic systems for receiving and utilizing this assistance these tools should be used to cater for the country’s domestic institutional, political economy, and governance constraints.

Conducting national assessments of how we are positioned in the mega regionals “game”- domestic reform imperatives could best be pursued so that the country is not left too far behind.

Strengthening and widening regional economic integration:  enlarging the regional economic space will provide some attraction to outside investors, particularly if the transactions costs of accessing regional markets can be made less burdensome or, even better, attractive.

Without "high-level" government and policy intervention Caricom and its Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) will be on the receiving end of whatever trade deals, regulatory  changes, environmental and intellectual property rights agreements result from this new arrangement with no way out. 

Next Time we analyze the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership(TTIP).

JAMALCO's Coal Plant: Risk to the Environment

While the proposed conversion of the Bogue Power Station in Montego Bay, St James, to replace the existing heavy fuel oil power plants at Old Harbour and Hunts Bay with a gas turbine plant, fuelled with liquid natural gas, is nothing to holler too much about because Natural Gas might be the best environmentally safe and economical option for Jamaica.

But as it pertains to Jamalco’s expected coal-fired co-generation facility, we should take pause and assess what a coal powered plant of any capacity could possibly mean for the natural environment and public health of the immediate community and Jamaica at large. It is no secret that “clean coal” is give and take; to get the “clean air” (which is merely lessened pollutants); the scrubbing process which cleans the air creates wastewater which also comes from power plant boiler and cooling systems contains lethal chemicals.

These chemicals are as serious as nuclear waste; although we hear that the plan is to import coal from Colombia, supposedly low sulphur coal. The United States’ Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) data shows that coal produces high levels of Arsenic, Lead and other chemicals harmful to humans, plants and animals. USEPA explains storage of the raw coal is important as rain can flush the chemicals and the wind can carry the heavily toxic dust. 

This wastewater is easily soaked into the ground contaminating ground water sources or due to negligence or misconduct can be released into rivers and other water ways causing serious damages.
There are too many incidences of coal related issues across the world not just in the US but especially in China (our climate change causing pals). These are developed countries with the capabilities to monitor and properly deal with the risk of using coal.

The emissions at the coal plant are expected to be less than of the oil plant but the issue goes beyond emissions. We have neglected in the past to ensure that the plants we currently have and other sources of toxic wastewater are consistently policed, it’s hard to see NEPA (not tasked to protect the environment) thoroughly regulating this new facility.

ISIS Attack Caused by Inaction in Syria

 

As the Al Qaeda linked terrorism organization ISIS makes their presents known across the middle east especially in the nations of Syria, Iraq and Libya – all three having varying degrees of intervention from the International community led by the United States of America whether from the front through an Invasion based on a hubris in case of Iraq or from behind as not to directly be involved with the disposing of an ally who had fallen from grace in Libya.

With the Syrian civil war being the worst and longest of any of the Middle East uprising mainly due to the influence of the jihadist belonging to those familiar terror groups we associate with the word terrorism, with all the attention that the ongoing crisis in Syria had received before; with the whole world pushing for an international consensus to go into Syria with as much force as the allied nations did in Libya to force President Bashar al-Assad out of power. 

Unfortunately, Jamaica’s new best friends in the form of Russia and China decided to block any action that the UN security council would have taken to earlier in the conflict and possibly would have found that ISIS growing and taken decisive action.

 Geo-politics and capitalism have been the grim reaper for over 150, 000 lives in Syria thus far, will Western and Eastern powers take responsibility for their inhumane blunder that will now threaten their precious Middle East oil fields that fuel their economies – now that the US has resend troops to Iraq after a full withdrawal following a decade of war. We could applaud Syria’s denuclearization but the Olympus-like hypocrisy hangs too low.

ISIS is now the main threat and International community, including Russia is beginning to throw everything but the kitchens sink at Iraq, Syria and ISIS strongholds in neighbouring territories be it military or diplomatic help – but the truth is the real Syrian crisis will remain intact and bloody.

Yeah Mon, a Touchdown! The Super Bowl in Jamaica

Touchdown!!! – Maybe the only American football lingo that the regular Jamaican forged in the confines of our little island may have been exposed to up to the point of last night, when social media blew a fuse (like the Stadium) with Jamaicans expressing pleasure with the controversial VW “Get Happy” ad and even more satisfaction with Beyoncé’s provocative “Dutty Wine” of a performance on the Halftime show. It seemed that the entire net savvy population on the island was commenting on every bit and piece of the pure American-styled occasion with the same level of enthusiasm as our Uncle Sam brethren.

As Jamaicans huddled around their Television and Computer screens, no doubt with FLOW provided cable and internet, some of us honestly with vigorous brain work attempted to learn the working of the game without much avail, while others became first class, million dollar – Super Bowl ad critics. As the ads passed there would be a humorous Jamaican take on its content to follow, the wannabe critics went wild as ‘Dodge’ presented their “God Made A Farmer” ad with many ‘Roger Clarke’ and ‘Preaching on the Bus’ twitter tags to follow.

The Highlight of the night was the most Jamaican moment in the entire experience; it was to solidify our presence, as if perfectly planned by the men and women at the Jamaica Tourist Board to add some ‘third world’ comedy to the ‘first world’ event – The Jamaica Public Service was not to be left out of anything remotely Jamaican as a ‘Power Cut’ that lasted 30 minutes occurred after Beyoncé’s raunchy routine, it sent Jamaicans on a reminiscent trip to ‘JPS Land’ and back.

Couldn't Have Done It Better

It seems that the Ministry of Tourism has already begun their piggy back of the VW ‘Get Happy’ viral sensation with Hotel discounts under the promotion of “Get Happy in Jamaica”. This just hardens the truth about the Jamaica Tourist Board and its adjoined agencies, that there is little future, broad or forward thinking within our most lucrative sector among the technocrats, who rather enjoy a first class flight to a chic five star hotel to chatter about our so-called ‘tourism potential’. It has been revealed to our technocrats that panache, connections and exposure rule the world of Hospitality, lessons to be taken from a car manufacturer and a Pop Superstar.

Whether or not we will gain and profit wholesomely from the indirect global advertising of our ‘better-side’ that is enticing to eyes and mind, we ultimately rest on our shoulders and not the wheels or hips of our hi-jacked spokespersons for whom we are grateful – The true ‘Touchdown’ will come from the jobs and revenue that must be harvested from our newly found place in the world as the ‘Culture Mecca of the West’ somewhat depreciated by our other newly garnered position as “The Greece of the West”.

The Sunday SoundOFF: LEFT-Hand Drivers, Need to Look RIGHT

LEFT-Hand Drivers, Need to Look RIGHT:

The Peoples National Party and their Expected Economic Crash and Burn   

Sounding-OFF:from the common-agreeable fact in the Jamaican Politico-sphere is that The Peoples National Party (PNP) historically has a tendency to be “lightheaded” on the matters of Fiscal importance and financial aptitude with the glaring backdrop of the past PNP administrations over the 2 decades, failure to launch the Jamaican economy into the further regions of the Global Economy, joining the developed Nations (U.S., Canada, U.K. etc.).

The Former ardent Socialist Party, under the leadership of Michael Manley went through a phase of Ideology crisis, falling victim to the “Red Rush” of the 70’s – 80’s communism movement that Cuba holds on to. The Party was elected on the slogan of "Giving power to the people" and its base soon became the absolute poor and working class - which was almost every Jamaican at the time, with the economic climate the way it was Manley’s Government was the main source of support for the population and instituted countless social and labour reforms such as Maternity Leave, Free Education at all levels and National Housing Trust, but was heavy burden of the Government.

We are at the tail end of a “Great Recession” can we expect our current “Team PNP” to hit the brakes before we hit the wall, turn the wheel in the RIGHT direction and put the pedal to the metal heading straight towards Economic Independence.

The signs are being written on the walls of Gordon House – already, Finance and Planning Minister Dr Peter Phillips admitted on November 20, that an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) might not be possible before January. After such tenuous reassurance for almost a year that we would not end the year without the crucial fiscal tool and prop up (as it were) for our nation’s development.



Hit the Brakes or the Wall

With the December 29, landslide victory and earning a mandate; it was a chance to redeem their ‘poor’ to moderate economic performance in the Manley era, through the Patterson generation (and gain back there learners license), riding high on a “Range Rover” of outrage at the former administration’s handling of a fatal extradition request by U.S. officials and a catching the “Bus” of “Populism” by encouraging “People Power” that ran over the futile attempt of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to “drive home” a message of “fiscal responsibility” by using the doomed phrase: “bitter medicine”.

With the poor in hand and the rest of the population somewhat solidly behind her PM Simpson-Miller, re-entered Jamaica house with the “600lb Tanks” in the middle of the room, awaiting to be addressed from Tax reform, Public Sector Reform to Pension Reform and the age-old issues of Crime and Infrastructure (Roads), all that after promising in the National Debate’s that IMF talks and a deal would have been immediately undertaken and signed, respectively. 

We have seen countless action towards other issues but stationary on said reforms, Jamaicans should be alarmed or even discourage as the urgent reforms are necessary for us to save the sanctity of the economy and not mirror a Greece style fall into default needing a “rescue” plan requiring Austerity.

The Somewhat RIGHT Direction

As much as leftist political backers of the PNP are invested in their party and trust in the leaders and action of said leaders, there is eerie feeling that the Government has taken a wrong turn at “Half-Way-Tree”, instead of remain on main road with a balance approach of “Fixing People’s Lives to Better the Economy” (visa-verse of the JLP’s stance), they have headed “Downtown” with their economic strategy, “Fixing People’s Lives” without any near future intentions to “Better The Economy”.

We have seen the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP, how fitting) notably described as a hand out system, wrapped as a Stimulus package and delivered empty. 

While a patched tyre is better than none, eventually a new one is needed - this must come in the form of a “Somewhat Right/Conservative” handling of the economic wheel with our nose pointed squarely on the empowerment of the Small and Medium sized businesses to grow and employ, creating a smooth, ‘green tape’ process for investors especially Jamaican and challenge the public sector to cut waste.

This must be linked with what the Peoples National Party is actually good at doing, messaging to the less fortunate and motivating them into action, use the “Will of the People” forget the “Political Will” (politicians can’t create wealth, for all), whip the people in a Nationalistic frenzy over the possibility of change, encourage the people to be their own “vehicle of movement” yet being the “Wheel of Opportunity”.

Highway to Economic Independence

Whether or Not, we get the IMF deal – be them crucial- we shouldn't be bogged down in the economic or political despair of the moment as we see that there is hope in the business community and among consumers as recent study shows.  This Government has the ability and trust of the people to bring the “Obama ‘08” sequel to Jamaican shores and ride the “Highway to Economic Independence”:  

Once we loosen the grip that Central Government has on the system and truly aim to decentralize government and divest political power, giving more responsibilities to the Parish Councils and Local Authorities as to make them more autonomous, accountable and efficient.
Once Tourism is a part of a balanced and diverse economic structure; not a sacred slice of Ham.

• Once the Politicians dump the need to be recognized as celebrities or ‘Big Men and Women’ by flashing their gold teeth.

• Once we commit to the prosperity of Jamaica and all those who inhabit it, no matter of race, gender or sexuality. 

• Once the Jamaican Constitution reflects a modern democratic nation at 50 and stepping into its own, independent from Head to Toe.

Then and only then, can a Peoples National Party or any other Government formed after be upgraded from a “Learning Driver” to a “Road Scholar” worthy of chauffeuring the “Limousine” that is the true Jamaican Economy, hidden under  this “VW BUG”.

Until Then, I say to the Jamaican Public always “Look both ways before crossing the road” and to the PNP “Learners” remember: LEFT-Hand Drivers, Need to Look RIGHT!!!

Otherwise, there is an imminent feeling in the crowded VW BUG that the  ‘Crash and Burn’ may be early next year, January – maybe.

Editor's Note: Net International Reserves

Net International Reserves  

*Editor's Note: 

*This is a worrying trend for the Jamaican Economy, beyond the fact that we depend on Foreign Exchange, more than we do on oxygen to live. The Government may want to implement a Commission - like every other problem, they wish to ignore long term - this requires the best minds and the most experienced minds among the Population and We  furiously hope that the Hon. Edward Seaga would be a prominent figure in any body set up to deal with the Economy. *

*Data courtesy of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ)

The Image shows the country's Net International Reserves (NIR) from February 2010 to October 2012.  The NIR is representative of the nation's "savings account" in international currency.  Click on the Image to enlarge it.

The Motion Chart illustrates the data over the period, January 2011 to October 2012.  Click on the circle you would like to track before the animation begins in order to follow the illustration as it flows.

Source link: Below NIR Chart

Link: 

http://www.digjamaica.com/data/view/net_international_reserves

From The Editor: Angrily Ever After

Angrily Ever After

The Jamaica Labour Party & Eternal Rejection Hereafter

The USA gears up for a Political Showdown over the looming "Fiscal Cliff" and "Tax vs. Entitlements" match-ups, both major political parties in the U.S. have made their intentions clear that compromise - would - be the absolute way forward but after an Electoral Defeat described as one for the Decades with the "Tide of the Times" against the Grand Old Party, can the Republicans get their act together without reeking of "Political-Revenge".  

The Jamaican Politico-Sphere has heated up too - not matching that of the U.S. YET - with the "Primary Political Players" trading blows and huffs over statements and actions. The first move was that of the Opposition leader, Andrew Holness at his Jamaica Labour Party's (delegates only) conference; going off on an angry shouting rant, repeatedly announcing that "They [Peoples National Party] must Go, Tired of Them" whether he meant they should emit office or completely remove all trace of their existence - considering his Teenage Styled Tantrum (who knows).  Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller, recently made the connection and contrast between she and her Predecessors, after mocking Andrew’s less than subtle performance then saying “If it was ever a Portia, do that, lord have mercy, the thing yuh woulda a here” and it’s an agreeable truth.

 

Before she made her reply to Holness’s rant, just days before the issue of Government Owned Vehicles came up after the reporting that the Administration recently purchased 16 sports utility vehicles (SUVs) from Toyota Jamaica for Cabinet ministers. The JLP was happy to be given such a chance to tie down the admin with fiscal irresponsibility but truth be told before leaving office the former administration sold 30 Government Issued vehicles to officials at all levels at rock bottom prices, so “Glass Houses” hold merit on this account.

Walking on the Sands of Time

We can ideologically compare and match the Republican Party and Jamaica Labour Party, both fiscal conservative with the JLP being more centre-right which probably means they are on the same path as other Conservative Parties to becoming extinct because of the shifting of the ground below their “Right-Wing” feet due to mere fact that the world we live in is increasingly becoming Socially and Economically liberal/Socialist and rejecting the modus operandi of the “Capitalist Structure” which has stifled the middle class and poor for centuries.

The Jamaican society today is confronting its reality of Inequity and Stagnation among the 99% with the constant fear of another recession and irreversible economic conditions meaning less – well-paying jobs and worsening inflation by grabbing Government at the throat; demanding accountability and action from the representatives with Civil Society and Neutral voices trying to fill the Noise Making gap that the population in general have no time to fill themselves as we are a “Hustling” set of people, organized action for solutions that don’t directly affect us (until they actually do) is not our immediate problem.

The last Election in December 2011 was as much a prosecution of the Bruce Golding led Fumble on the Dudus and Tivoli Incursion matters as it was a “Rejection” of the Hard line Conservative Fiscal Management Plan or “bitter medicine” the JLP had in mind for Jamaicans. The central message the JLP failed to communicate during the campaign cycle was that they were the bringers of “Fiscal Responsibility with the purpose of enriching People’s lives as well as the Economy” but unfortunately and thankfully they were out messaged by a “People Power” touting PNP – who never ensured “Fiscal Responsibility” just People centred Government.

The Times have rusted the machine of the JLP – especially the members themselves; looking at you Mike Henry – No longer can they be the party of “Big Man” in return expecting the “Big Man” to buy the “Little People’s” vote.

Resentment Anonymous or Eternal Rejection

We must recommend that the Jamaica Labour Party hierarchy seek the help of “Resentment Anonymous” and we call on the Jamaicans who have the country at heart that they join in this call, we need both sides of Parliament to function at maximum efficiency for any work to be done, stepping on the Gas and Breaks at the same time will get us nowhere.

It’s understandable the political gears are still turning and must be for that’s the nature of politics but once a Political leader decides to publicly announce a 4 year campaign to regain power then the wrench is thrown in, whoever wins the next election and others after the ultimate winners or loser are the Jamaican people with this logic in hand; the public is disappointed in the “youth-phoric” Andrew Holness for sticking to Old Political ways – the promise they held in him has been broken: Where is the Post-Independence Change?

The Jamaican Liberal Whistle expects that the Jamaica Labour Party will receive the “Anti-vote” in 2 more General and Local Government elections this means whether or the economy goes south or remains as is, the possibility of a Jamaica Labour Party with the intentions it has now will probably lose by landslides barring any major shifts in the Peoples National Party line up.

This “Rejection” must be taken seriously as they face a dark a future if a major Party is unelectable by even the lowest standard.

Loud and Clear: My Big Fat Government and Me

My Big Fat Government and Me

By Necessity We are Married to Our Governments and their Handouts

The deteriorating 2012 Presidential campaign of Gov. Mitt Romney once again hit a snag on his way to the now increasingly far off and distant occupation of the White House.  Mitt Romney fumbled over a 47% (forty-seven Percent) hurdle on his crash landing to earth this week, as he was caught on a hidden camera at a wealthy donor dinner, saying (off the cuff) that the “47% of Americans who don’t pay takes are Lazy Freeloaders” who he “will not pursue” because they’ve already chosen to vote for Obama because he touts “Government Handout’s” (beware of the Socialist). Mitt Romney the “car elevator guy” who goes “speeding boating” on Labour Day and thinks “Corporations are people too”, has single handily delivered  47% of the Population (that he has disfranchise from his Campaign completely) into the Ballot Boxes of Pres. Barack Obama.

Even some in his own party who have seen the future blowout in his stumble has labeled his comments as “Stupid” and “unbecoming of a Presidential Nominee”. But dogged Conservative media and their political counterparts (no difference) has gone on the attack claiming that hypocritical the attack of Obama sympathizer and supporters on Romney’s (47%) statement, because the Obama campaign has explicitly been targeting the “Welfare Crowd” with his devious talk of those who have built their fortunate (supposedly alone), should “Pay their Fair Share” and “Equal Opportunity” for all those who have the motivation and desire to climb the ladder of success no matter their economic background or race.  Those phrases hit home with many of those in the 47% of Americans who don’t pay taxes as The Atlantic Wire reports that  "18 percent of people who do not work at all, or make so little that they don't even pay payroll taxes. More than half of that group (10 percent of people) are retired and elderly people. They live off pensions or Social Security benefits, which are not taxed." 

(Tax Policy Center)

“It takes brass to criticize a man for doing something that you did” said Bill Clinton at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, responding to Paul Ryan’s claim of Obama raiding Medicare to pay for Obamacare, when in fact Ryan has proposed the same thing in his own budget Plan but it’s a steady trend in today’s Republican Party for them to oppose themselves in the name of countering Obama, hence Republicans cannot stipulate that Obama be more a 100% President when they have been the 2% Party; frolicking with Billionaires, Advocating for more loopholes and lower taxes for their Friends at the Top can go even higher and leave everyone else to hope that pieces of the ”Roof of Success” falls so we may also begin to build.

 "he (Obama) believes that when you've worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity...you do not slam it shut behind you...you reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed." from Michelle Obama DNC 2012 speech

The Jamaican Revolution

Linking the this U.S. Presidential Election development to the Jamaican politico-sphere, with temperatures still a bit high over the allocation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) expenditures in Damion Crawford’s constituency being “too focused” on Education as a Long term development strategy. The usage of the Pork Barrel as the CDF has become known as, reflects a Member of Parliaments resourcefulness and inclusiveness as he contends with the issues dealt to him by almost every underprivileged and deprived constituent that seeks an extra “Handout” to go with his Food Stamps, Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATHE) allowances and other welfare programme.

The Peoples National Party released a list of CDFexpenditure on Education by MP’s in their Constituency and Damion Crawford’sexpenditure on education was at 58%, only in the bottom 6 of  a 42 majority Government, it was to repel notions that the Peoples National Party’s political representative and supporters have been bogged down in deep “Politics of Poverty” and that supporters and occasionally reps. are denied “Handout’s” they go into a state of rage and retaliation because “Government Dependence” at least that’s what Andrew Holness and his band of Capitalist Cadets at the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)  are trying to sell the lesser informed public and big business interest.

What about the Single Mother of 2 (two) who earns enough for one of her child’s education, PATHE hardly covers the other, Dinner is Tea and Crackers in the dark because she can’t afford her $1000 electricity Bill and needs something extra for other amenities? Is helping this woman, Mr. Holness, Poverty Politics?

Andrew Holness and the JLP like Mitt Romney and the Republican Party have shout their eyes, covered their ears while chanting “la-la-la”, every time the non aligned “middle class”, “better off” and “privileged”  portion of the population try and speak to them through the Media or Elections (chose of Ideology) that “Big Fat Government” isn’t the problem but “Big Fat Lazy Rich Politicians”, that they don’t have a problem with Government assistance done correctly and sustainably, that Government isn’t always the Problem or the Solution, that not everyone is fortunate enough to even have the chance to attend school much less become a former Governor or a former Prime Minister.

Most of us begin life in a Public Health Facility or to a Government paid Mid-wife in a home or church, attended Public Schools and most of us will be buried in a Public Cemetery and the cycle continues with our children and their children. We are essentially married to our Government not only in taxes and Debt owed per person but in that we have a responsibility to keep the marriage viable and alive for future generations of unlucky masses to be born in poverty and impoverished situations to have the opportunity to live with dignity, pride and self worth whether or not they are economically successful in life.