Columns
Old JLP and PNP politicians must stand down
FRANKLIN JOHNSTON
Friday, September 03, 2010
Political corruption and ineptitude keep us a poor, crime-ridden nation. Can you name one aspect of our nation that works well? Our ills today are the same as in 1962 - education, jobs, health care, food, shelter and security and all are on the urgent list. The oldsters "celebrate" 40 years in politics; where is our joy? Their gain is our pain! Many were good men who lost the plot and to win elections became their goal - they won, the nation lost!
Let's be clear on one thing. Governments have done little for us. What we achieved for our nation is as individuals, little with politicians' help. The British set a course before 1962 that would have got us at least to where their colonies UKVI and Cayman are today - safe and prosperous. I can't put a value on nationalism; but our politicians enrich themselves and underdevelop us and as the trough is sweet most will not go willingly.
Our country is immensely beautiful. God crumpled this little bit of land into fruitful riverain plains, valleys to "cotch up" picturesque cottages and high peaks to catch a glimpse of glory! We scarred the hills by open-pit mining, denuded the land, stanched and polluted the rivers, raped the fish and "concrete over" the fruitful plains. We should now be wealthy and disciplined as Singapore which got Independence when we did. We did all that the politicians asked - sacrificed, tightened belts, bought local - the lot! We have not grown above the secular trend line and bad things happened to us because of politicians. Yet we are a prominent, much loved country. What accounts for this?
First, our people are warm and welcoming. We produced excellent entertainers, sports people and men of letters even before 1962. To icons Manley and Marley we add Stewart and Bolt - one mooted a new world order, a minstrel gave the world "one love", one sold the world a concept of leisure and the last pushes the boundaries of human speed. These build our brand and politicians steal the limelight. It's true - "We likkle but we tallawah!" Despite the failed politics, our parents produce lovely children gifted in academia, music, entrepreneurship, sport, etc, and built our global credibility!
Second, our brand is not defined by politicians or the state and some politicians smear our good name. We now spend millions on PR damage control because of one PM's vile actions! The politicians' job is to provide the means for us to be well-fed, healthy, educated, housed and protected. They have failed! They savaged the land. Our built icons Ward Theatre, Hope Gardens, Half-Way-Tree clock, Spanish Town Cathedral, Hermitage Dam, Port Royal, Devon House, etc, were done under the British. PJ's world-class highways and Emancipation Park are our only icons the diaspora marvel about. Our brand is not the result of politics or governance. Private people built our brand on personal initiative, while parents and civil society helped. So, why do ministers hog the praise and the photo ops with Yendi, Asafa or Usain? To steal the glory from their parents?
Peter Phillips has put ageing politicians on the agenda. It needs no debate. We pay politicians to make our country safe and prosperous, but neither the JLP nor the PNP have done so and some have made our lives hell by consorting with gunmen and dons. Some MPs were ministers in their 30s and are again so in their 70s. Why do we discuss this? Just go. Please! The old fogeys failed, but I am not ageist so let's clarify the issue now:
(1) Politicians set a retirement age of 65 for all jobs except their own. Why? Even business owners retire from their firms. MPs as Bruce dealt with Mr Matalon, Mahfood, Issa, etc. These same MPs deal with grandchildren of those pioneers now! How many generations of beauty queens has Ed kissed? Some have been minister 4 or 5 times! Shame on you! We want no ruler for life! Do not steal our children's birthright! Please go quietly!
(2) An MP for 25 years served most of our 48 years as a nation. Is this not enough for him?
(3) Age is not the issue. We need old heads but not those of the last 48 years. Give us 10 years of fresh old heads as Bill Clarke, Blossom O'Meally Nelson, Doug Orane, Gordon Shirley and top retired persons in Cabinet! No more quarter-century MPs!
(4) MPs are public sector workers. We pay them, so the job must be open to all on plain criteria. The selection under law and you join the party before your candidature is ratified.
(5) Few MPs were into public service before politics.The few still are and will be after they leave politics. Heroes like R Danny Williams ran a big firm, Lister Mair centre and Jamal, pro bono; gave service in politics and went back to the job and charity work. Some MPs live for politics; when the pay cheque stops "public service" ends.
(6) An MP should serve four terms and a PM two terms maximum, as we have lots of talent trained after 1962. This limit should be reviewed in 2062 when we hit the century.
*The slate of each party's candidates in 2012 should be:10 of the oldsters, 20 new people over age 45 (as Orane) and 30 below age 45 to reflect our demographics.
*For continuity, retired MPs can work through parties to groom new MPs. For God's sake, Bruce, Portia; give new, old and young people a chance! "The times are a-changin'!"
*We do not need old MPs for continuity in government. The British set up our Civil Service for just that purpose. Portia did not have to orient Bruce or Dr Davies brief Mr Shaw as the institutional memory in the service guides ministers, writes documents and their speeches. Samuda is not our best business mind; nor Audley a finance whiz, Mike a transport guru, Ruddy a health-care wizard or Pearnel a jobs giant - civil servants work all night to write the plans and speeches. We have too many recycled MPs and ministers!
*My list of MPs who should retire before 2012 will soon be in print. There are a few who by their acumen and record could continue. Do you have a list too? Stay conscious!
Portia's Integrity Commission needs men and women under 44 - some 60 per cent of the nation and a partner of a firm like KPMG, which does modernisation for political parties abroad, has access to templates and are confidential under law. More to come, my friend!
Dr Franklin Johnston is an international project manager with Teape-Johnston Consultants currently on assignment in the UK.
franklinjohnston@hotmail.com
 
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9/4/2010
I would add consitutional reform with strict separation of powers and local autonomy should be our clarion call. If this is done, everything else will fall into place and the debate about young and old, experienced or inexperienced would be mute.
9/4/2010
They're following the money. We have to start demanding that these political crooks go to jail. We need term limits and a change to the constitution.
9/3/2010
We must blame ourselves for voting in these losers time and time again. Our neighborhood is screwed up, roads bad, schools no good ,criminals running rampant, politicians chummy with crooks- we still vote for them We must be crazy.
9/3/2010
A very weak attempt at, I really dont know what. We live in a democracy.............
9/3/2010
It is so easy to blame the politician for Jamaica's calamity and many would agree that they are a part of the problem. How do we explain however the ease in which the people are divided into supporters of the GAZA and GULLY posse. Clearly politics was not involved, it seem rather we have a strong tribal nature that takes very little effort to bring out the worst in many of us. It would seem the politician played the game that there supporters wanted.
9/3/2010
Very good article. Lots of these guys need to go. Not necessarily because of their age but because they have contributed noting or so very little during their time as MPs. I hope the next election we see lots of new people with fresh ideas and perspectives.
9/3/2010
Lee Kuan Yew is of the view that Singapore succeeds because it has no xenophobic hangover from colonization. Jamaica cannot say the same because we spend more time getting angry over pseudo-history which blames Europeans for the underdevelopment of Africa than learning from the British how to govern a safe and prosperous country. The British Empire left all of its colonies on good foundations. Botswana and Singapore are examples of what can happen when we work together.
9/3/2010
If anyone thinks it is only in politicis that the old people hold sway then they should check the credit unions. These guys on the executives only go when they are carried out feet first. Doubt me? Check it?
9/3/2010
In,USA, elected senators and congress can serve as long as possible,most do there works well, so for MP etc, no terms limit, or PM,yes! in USA, Presidents,PM only two-terms.
Those old,who never performed well, people should vote them out.
Pearnel Charles,for eg. is best,person to be PM,based upon recent events.
He black like we,he been thru it all, ole`chief`beaten by Seaga,golding, by pnp soe,was always there! People could,would empathisize withhim. Many pnps,say vote jlp.if a`p. not b.
9/3/2010
Politicians have not done anything for Jamaica apart from selling out the country to various foreign entities. Yet; these politicians get carried around when they show up in certain communities. All Jamaicans should accept some blame in allowing ourselves to be governed over and over again by these selfish and unpatriotic individuals. To them opportunities and possibilities are not for the country; but for them and their comrades. Why do we allow this to happen for so long? Let us take back JA.
9/3/2010
On another note, we must make up our minds if we want a democracy or not. A candidate offers himself and the people vote for him, then persons like Dr. Franklin Johnston says something like, "To hell with the people's choice. MY principle is that the old politicians must go." I don't buy into the view that youth is better. If a man still has the ability to work, his experience could be invaluable.
9/3/2010
We blame everything for our problems except the real persons to be blamed. Our problems must be placed squarely where they belong. WE, the people, are responsible. Not politicians. We are the ones who elected the politicians of OUR choice. What did we do with Edward Seaga who turned this country around after the 70s and got us growing in excess of 5% per annum? We don't want that - a black man time now. Now that we are poor, it's the politicians fault???
9/3/2010
The thing is this we will never get the chance to govern while young and in our prime because those before us and before them set the trend and left us a bad legacy. Bustamnte, Manley, Seaga, PJ all stayed too long so those who would have taken over became old waiting, not that they got any wiser. The cycle will repeat if it's not brought to an end. PNPYO and G2K you all will be old and grey before you get a shot at govt. I once had political ambitions long since faded although in my young years
9/3/2010
Will not use too many words to say I agree fully.
9/3/2010
"Many were good men who lost the plot and to win elections became their goal - they won, the nation lost!" I hope this was a typo. Good MEN? Why should it be left to the individuals to say it is time to go? It is up to the PM to resign for his poor handling of the Dudus scandal. It is up to Kern Spencer to resign from Parliament. The country need to enact legislation that would required these individuals to go. Term limits. Left to the individuals, the country will continue on its current path.
9/3/2010
Mr Johnson it is sometimes helpful to work within the system to effect change. When the system is broke we have to call for fixes. The British set us down the road of a parlimentary democracy but the JLPNP have turned it into a parlimentary dictatorship. We cannot wait on the old parlimentarians to leave quietly. Independent candidates, third and fourth parties are needed right now. Civil society has to push these people aside. Any credible JLPNP parlimentarian should declare independence.
9/3/2010
It would also be helpful if some of the younger "Politicians" stand down as well, particularly those in any of the Parties who sees "nothing wrong" when criminality and corruption rears its head against the law abiding citizens of this country.
Instead of taking a principled stand and saying to the Leaders of their Parties "it cant work", they choose to go along with the criminality and corruption, then point else where. They must also go !.
9/3/2010
Any day our politicians come off their "pomps and pride" and take heed to your words of wisdom, Jamaica will become a much better place. Keep on teaching us- because what nuh fall pan head will fall on shoulder, in other words, those who want to learn will learn.
9/3/2010
I can’t see why the insistence on the removal of the old guard? In both parties it is the youngsters who are causing concerns and are either before the courts or are being investigated. It will be interesting to learn after the US indictments are unsealed if there are any calls for any of them to be extradited. Certainly there are young people in both parties, but when last have we heard a sound idea coming from any of them on either side. In the case of the JLP children they are always voicing the same old tired party lines, and even in what is happening now their executive can find nothing to be critical about.
Yes, I would like to see more youngsters as MPs, but we need the oldsters in the background to guide them.
What I can tell anyone is that the sky is not falling. Things have not changed that drastically. It is mostly because there are now more media houses and in any case the Internet has changed how we get the news.
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