Dear Editor,

The most successful individual at the polls is not the reformist with visionary ideas, but the man who is able to develop a message which resonates with the populace. However, a political system based solely on rhetoric will not produce tangible results, and Jamaicans are now reaping the disadvantages of this system which they have been nurturing for years.

We shouldn’t be quick to castigate our politicians because they do the bidding of most citizens. Like their constituents, parliamentarians emphasise welfare over wealth creation. So a politician who is interested in retaining his seat will announce ‘pro-poor’ initiatives and conveniently denigrate wealthy Jamaicans — since they are the ones who caused the plight of the poor and not Government’s inefficiencies.

We shouldn’t be quick to castigate our politicians because they do the bidding of most citizens. Like their constituents, parliamentarians emphasise welfare over wealth creation. So a politician who is interested in retaining his seat will announce ‘pro-poor’ initiatives and conveniently denigrate wealthy Jamaicans — since they are the ones who caused the plight of the poor and not Government’s inefficiencies.

Therefore, when it became apparent that bank fees were increasingly becoming a burden to consumers, political masterminds like Fitz Jackson and Karl Samuda quickly seized the opportunity to portray themselves as defenders of the poor by lashing private banks. Banks, like other businesses, are interested in maximising profits, and if a consumer has a problem with an outrageous fee, he has the right to acquire the services of a credit union or lobby for greater competition in the banking sector. Despite the findings of the Bank of Jamaica and a think tank, which both show that local banking fees are in line with international trends, the tirade against private banks continues. How do we expect Jamaica to develop a business-friendly environment when demonising private entrepreneurs is the pastime of many citizens?

Furthernore, welfare is not a function of a legitimate administration, because theft is still a crime even if its sanctioned by Government. The purpose of the National Housing Trust is to provide contributors with affordable housing; therefore, the decision of the present Administration to divert the NHT’S funds and build homes for elderly and the homeless is unacceptable; the fact that the funds are being used for a noble purpose doesn’t make it right. If you steal your neighbour’s money to pay for your child’s school fee it is still theft. Private charities like Food for the Poor are assisting the less privileged and they should be encouraged. The people of Jamaica may want populist politicians who love the poor, but they need pragmatic capitalists.

Lipton Matthews

lo_matthews@yahoo.com