Dear Editor,

There has been a real absence of intelligent political representatives in Jamaica. Our current politicians merely read speeches and have no significant knowledge of history, economics or politics. I consider this a real shame particularly because there exists those more equipped with the knowledge and genuine compassion for people to be in governance, which on one hand should be the central focus of politics and on the other, effective economic organisation.

And, some of us will feel accomplished having been a part of a “successful democratic component” when the individually preferred representatives are voted into power, not mindful that democracy extends beyond the confines of voting between the two dominant political platforms, whether it be the Jamaica Labour Party or the People’s National Party.

Democracy in its true sense can only be manifested when each or the common man has a say or ability to effect change in his economy, in his country, and is no longer subdued to the orders of the “master”. What is the purpose of electing these individuals into positions of power for them to not considerably represent or address issues or the needs of the masses, whether it be in a domestic or international arena?

That’s right, purposeless, silly, waste of energies. Yet still the wastage of the right of franchise is perpetuated, perhaps as a result of long-standing political attachments or prejudice. We have continued to elect these intellectual deficient antique individuals into power. Some do so in hope of a protective cloak of social welfare or to protect wealth, but so continuous has this been that I dare render our society stagnant, selfish and blind. Blind to the fact that not until each individual is willing to sacrifice his individual preferences for the greater good will economic advancements be achieved. Not until then will there be a brighter Jamaica. Not until the people wipe the sand from their eyes, not until individuals with patriotic and good sustainable intentions for our country are elected to govern, to lead, will a vision of a better Jamaica be realised.

In short, it is going to take a combination of sacrifice on the part of the people and good governance for our country to prosper in the long run.

Stephanie McDonald

Yallahs

stephanie2mcdonald@gmail.com