Ja’s state of affairs shows no hope
Dear Editor,
After watching the news of August 25, 2014, it confirmed what I long suspected, in that we are a failed state. How else can I describe it when I see the leader of the nation and the Opposition behaving that way; and, in the case of the PM, her supporters cheering her on?
Yes, we have had instances where some individuals have made significant contributions to both country and the world. However, we have millions of Jamaicans living abroad and I am willing to bet that most of them have no intention of returning home based on the way things are right now.
Furthermore, of the roughly 2.9 million currently here, I am willing to bet if you give each a visa, at least half of that number will leave yesterday as opposed to tomorrow. That should tell us something.
The near future looks even bleaker. No plan, with proposed timelines, has been articulated by either party as to how we will pay down the debt. Our education system is a mess based on recent reports. The physical infrastructure and aesthetics of the island is laughable at best. Health care system, ditto. We also have an impending crisis in which a large chunk of the workforce will be entering retirement within the next 6-10 years that no one has said anything about. Where is the money going to come from to cover their pensions and the other stuff?
The first step in solving a problem is to admit it and then set about finding solutions. The greatest resource a nation can have is its people, and currently our people are disenchanted. These elected officials need to quit messing around and do the job that they are being paid to do. If they are not up to the task, kindly ride off into the sunset and give it to those who are able. I don’t think I have ever felt so low at being a Jamaican.
L Thomas
St Catherine
baddabada@gmail.com