Dear Editor,

The difference in political ideology between the JLP and the PNP is still as evident today as it was in the 1970s.

While the PNP felt that the State had a major role to play in the country’s development, the JLP felt that capital and entrepreneurism was the way to go. Michael Manley experimented with using social capital to get financial rewards in the 1970s, while Edward Seaga utilised financial capital to gain economic development and social rewards in the 1980s. The results of both approaches are where we are today.

Our country has today benefited from the heightened social awareness that existed in the 1970s. We developed an identity as a people and a country which is felt and respected internationally. We loved and respected each other and our integrity as Jamaicans is what makes us who we are today.

The economic benefit from our social and cultural identity in music, sports, culture and the hospitality sector has probably reaped far more gains than Manley imagined or which we can measure.

Politically, the change in administrations in 1980 and 1989 was not followed by condemnation and bitterness. I never heard Michael Manley speak ill of the JLP administration of the 1980s, even though Seaga was given such a heavy blow at the polls. There was a respect and decency in politics that was upheld.

If we listen to what we hear from the JLP now in their campaign, we hear a change from the social and political decency that existed in politics. It is a win-at-all-cost ideology. We hear of 18 years of no development and a mashed up economy. We see a party whose leader sacrificed his political capital for someone who has confessed to racketeering.

We see a prime minister correcting his minister of national security within 24 hours for misleading the country. We see in Parliament a member whose US visa has been cancelled. We hear the young professionals arm of the JLP advocating the sacking of civil servants who appear to be PNP.

This negative diet we are being fed by the JLP is not who we are as Jamaicans. They are changing the culture of a proud, respectable nation of people. This is dangerous. We cannot have a young generation of persons growing up with the belief that deception and lies are acceptable as long as they lead to personal goals.

How can the JLP decry the 18 years of the PNP? Any Jamaican — whether PNP or JLP — would be proud of the opening ceremony of the Cricket World Cup held in the Caribbean for the first time. All Jamaicans were proud when we reached the Football World Cup finals. In fact, I have never heard the PNP claim credit for it; it was for all Jamaica.

The development of the north coast highway is, by far, one of the most important economic developments the country has ever seen. It has led to the building of hotels along the north coast. The liberalisation of the telecommunication sector has seen Digicel doing wonders to our telecommunication landscape. Thousands of persons make a living selling phone cards and instruments.

My point is that there have been many challenges and successes in the 18 years the PNP spent in office. I am asking the JLP not to distort our history with lies and denials. That is not who we are as Jamaicans. Changing the culture of a people for the worse is absolutely a dangerous thing to do. Please tell us there were developments you will improve on and make better.

And should the PNP reverse their culture of decency and integrity, then we must also bring them to book. Jamaicans must share the common identity of a respectable nation of people; our political choices should not be changing who we are.

Let us move on in love and respect.

James Wish

Jameswish16@yahoo.com