Can Mrs Simpson Miller make us believe again?

Thursday, January 05, 2012

We have in our series of editorials since the December 29, 2011 general elections endeavoured to set the kind of tone we believe that the nation needs at this time.

This is in keeping with the growing maturity and sophistication that we have detected in the Jamaican electorate, as evidenced by the civility, for the most part, of the election campaign, the unbridled joyfulness displayed on Nomination Day and generally by supporters of the two major political parties and probably the most incident-free and peaceful elections in recent memory.

The manner in which Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader, Mr Andrew Holness conceded defeat and in which supporters of the JLP took that defeat, and the absence of whole communities being uprooted by supporters of the victorious party on election night, are incontrovertible signs, surely, that the Jamaican people are growing up. The seamlessness of the change from one government to another is certain signal that it may have taken us just about 50 years but we are finally beginning to craft our nationhood.

It is in this context that we look forward to today's swearing in of the nation's tenth prime minister, the Most Hon Mrs Portia Simpson Miller and the Government she will form subsequently.

Although the speechwriters will have a hand in drafting the coronation address, it is in a sense fortunate that we are not as a country looking to Mrs Simpson Miller to take us on the wings of oratory with fine words that have no meaning to a nation that is seeking to renew hope in our Independence and all its promises of peace, prosperity, justice and brotherhood.

What today's address will require of Mrs Simpson Miller is a clarity of thought and a vision of the future around which Jamaicans who love this beautiful country can coalesce. It is her solemn duty to set a tone of national unity and make us believe again that it is possible to walk forward together, despite our differences of party support, gender, religion, sex, financial and social status.

We have 50 years of example to learn from on how to build or not to build a nation. In the first half century of Independence, we were, symbolically, learning to creep and to walk. Mistakes were expected and they were many, the most heinous of which, we believe, was the deep political polarisation of our people That in turn bred the most pernicious of our national sins, political violence.

As we approach the second half century, we have a glorious opportunity to declare 'never again' to go down that path. Let us forgive the atrocities of our past and construct our own version of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission by abandoning the blame game for a fresh start. This is the time to begin to frame the Jamaica that we all yearn for but which has eluded us all.

The great thing about Jamaica is that for every mistake we made there are two or three things that we did right. There is much that is good and worthwhile and honest in our people. Mrs Simpson Miller is challenged to show faith in our people and to leave as her legacy a more prosperous nation.

Times are tough and could get tougher before it gets better. Yet, we have always known that hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth.

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COMMENTS (8)

Dana Gale
1/13/2012

I wont even read this article. To answer your question...the answer is NO. Only Jesus Christ Himself can come and convince me. All the politicians are in this thing for money.regardless of who they are in life. Maybe you might have two good ones, but the bad out weighs the good.When I see my fellow Jamaicans picking themselves up off the ground, then I might believe.

Ever Dunk
1/8/2012

Believe what? did we ever had a positive belief system? if there were any please remind me, you are all just kissing up.

PL BOGLE
1/5/2012

@Nejeeper KNG. The Most Hon Mrs Portia Simpson Miller was elected not selected "It is her solemn duty to set a tone of national unity and make us believe again that it is possible to walk forward together, despite our differences of party support, gender, religion, sex, financial and social status." I fully remembered you saying Jamaicans must come together for the betterment of our country, when Mr. Holness was selected. So let us all stand united .

Nejeeper KNG
1/5/2012

There are PNP diehards who are waiting on their JEEP job to clean gullies. Shouldn’t gully cleaning fall under public works? I am a J’can regardless of which party is in power. I believe that the J’can electorate; literate an illiterate can now say that class is in session. We will be force to understand basic economics and how it affects us. Programs have to be funded and the money has to come from somewhere. Votes 4 handouts; no country grows via handouts we will all see when reality strikes.

Nejeeper KNG
1/5/2012

First congratulation to PM elect PSM. We will believe again when we see a reduction in the deficit ($1.6 tril 130% of GDP) a dollar that gain instead of loosing value, a rise in per capita GDP, reduction in crime and zero tolerance on corruption. Dr. Phillips is already promising not to cut public sector jobs hence we are waiting on the austerity measures that this administration will take to reduce spending. Will they borrow from JDIP to fund JEEP? How will JEEP be funded for the long term?

2kool .
1/5/2012

The Observer as well as the Gleaner should be ashamed of themselves. They were both disingenuous with their cartoons leading up to the elections by choosing sides and not being objective as they ought. They were more politically divided than the man in the street. But As Wanda woeman blogged in this paper yesterday the Observer can still be a great paper if it chooses to be objective.

Stephen Fox
1/5/2012

We will have to wait and see what Portia's administration actually does. Can the PNP bring unity to our landscape of political and class warfare? Since perception is 99% of the truth she has a good chance. Its all about the economy and economic growth.

Chipmunk L.
1/5/2012

Good job! I can see that time was spent thinking about your wishes for the new government , hopes and fears of our people and success for our Prime Minister.
Let us hope for everything positive, simply said, it is necessary for the sake of us all as a nation that the administration is successful.

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Can Mrs Simpson Miller make us believe again?