Last Tuesday, May 20, 2014, was my 67th birthday. I was 15 years old when Jamaica gained political independence. Some 52 years later, my island home is yet to attain economic independence. This is most depressing and uninspiring, because I am beginning to wonder if such an elusive dream will become a reality in my lifetime.

It is said that Jamaicans have a solution to every problem and a problem for every solution. Divided by political partisanship, religious bigotry, social and economic discrimination, Jamaica continues to befuddle all logical thinking in terms of why there has been so much persistent poverty, mendicancy and criminal violence.

Back in 1961, then Premier Norman Washington Manley felt that the best way forward was to become part of the West Indies Federation. The legal luminary turned politician and Renaissance man put his fortunes on the line by calling a referendum which he lost. His arch-rival, then labour leader extraordinaire turned politician Alexander Bustamante turned the tide against him, stating inter alia that Jamaica ought not to accommodate “paupers”; referring to the Caribbean islands that would form part of the Federation. Ironically, today, most of these ‘pauperised’ nations are doing far better than Jamaica, which remains for the most part an impoverished country.

In the meantime, its hybrid Caricom has become a glorified talk shop. Remarkably, we are not short of solutions or answers. So many studies have been done and are being done which oftentimes point us in the right direction, but most of these end up in “File 13” or are watered down into a state of ineffectiveness.

Even as I write this column, two critical issues that could help transform the Jamaica socio-economic landscape are being analysed and criticised ad nauseam, namely the logistics hub with Goat Island as the centrepiece, and the legalisation of ganja for export, personal use and medicinal applications.

Take it from me, by the time all the analysis is done and the detractors have their field day by finding a rat under every rug, these golden opportunities may well have passed us by. To put it bluntly, “wi chat too much and act very little”. Against this background, it must be stressed that the time has come for us to move from crisis, analysis, thesis and antithesis to synthesis. Unfortunately, we seem to be in a “state of chronic” paralysis. The media unfortunately has helped to fuel this exercise into futility by focusing too much on news bytes and so-called scandals.

There is persistent intellectual masturbation in the pages of most newspapers as columnists try to outdo each other as to who can come up with the best turn of phrase or headline-grabbing commentary which, when put to the test, comes up short in terms of balance, rationality and common sense.

Most talk show hosts, it would appear, feel that as far as is possible they must rip the politicians and the political parties into shreds with sadistic glee while their eyes are glued to the ratings — more listenership leads to more revenue. After all, it is so easy to beat up on the Government of the day; analysing the problems to death but coming up, most times, with very few solutions. In this regard, we are our worst enemies, and so we continue to shoot ourselves in the foot.

Quoting from distinguished Jamaican journalist Ewart Walters’ book, We come from Jamaica, unsung hero O T Fairclough, who not only founded the Public Opinion newspaper but the People’s National Party, said in his first editorial: “Jamaica is not without a large body of men and women who are sincerely anxious to understand the state of this country and the duties laid upon them by its problems. They are not blind to evils which threaten the island from within, nor are they deaf to the noise and commotion of the outer world. They frequently look towards the future with grave misgivings.”

“But where is one to begin?” he asked. His response: “The first necessity is that those who have at heart projects of social, economic and political reform, should pool their ideas — and still more important — understand their own strength. This does not mean that mere discussion is enough: there is abundance of ineffective discussion at present.

Discussion must be directed into practical channels: It must be regulated, not be casual individual opinions, but by the sum of individual thought. In other words, there must be an effective public opinion on topics of importance.” Those views were expressed in 1937, long before the attainment of self-government and ultimately political independence.

Today, half a century into self – (determination?), Jamaica still pays homage to Her Majesty, The Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors; uses the British Privy Council as its final court of appeal; and is being overrun by foreign interests who no doubt have agendas that may not necessarily, in the long run, be in the best interest of the country and its people.

Here, for example, is a provocative thought: Have we ever stopped and wondered why the Chinese have so much “love” for us? During the Cold War, Jamaica was seen as a strategic location, hence the United States paid us a great deal of attention. China is predicted to become the world’s next leading superpower by virtue of its economic boom and sheer numbers in terms of population growth as US influence wanes. Can it be that Jamaica, in the future, will be a pawn in a world chess game? Food for thought for the next generation.

When I was a boy, poverty came with dignity and a sense of purpose. Many Jamaicans then believed that by the sweat of their brow they should eat bread. Today, there is a frenzy of dependency, with the politician being the main target. In this regard, our educational system has failed to produce useful and happy citizens. Many of us, today, who can be regarded as successful came out of that era when our parents did not depend on politicians or demeaning charity.

They empowered us through education, thrift, and values and attitudes that they helped to teach us along with teachers who were mentors and not just purveyors of knowledge. Yes, back then, we were out to build a new Jamaica… Remember that song which Ewart Walters describes as “the expression of that spirit of community optimism and solidarity which fed the national consensus. Above all, it was a spirit of goodwill and volunteerism, for most of the people involved were cheerful volunteers engaging in community development that was central to the national movement.”

That was why Norman Manley established Jamaica Welfare which was to eventually morph into the Social Development Commission (SDC). Our national hero must be turning in his grave when he sees what has become of the mission that he had charged succeeding generations to pursue. Today, as I reminisce on what has been, and ponder on what should have been, it behoves all of us to develop a fixity of purpose that will transcend narrow partisan preoccupations and make us a nation of consensus rather than contention. It is to this cause I have dedicated the rest of my earthly life.

Lloyd B Smith is a member of Parliament and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. The views expressed are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the People’s National Party or the Government of Jamaica. Comments: lloydbsmith@hotmail.com