Dear Editor,

Although most people have a tendency to berate politicians, they never seem to accept responsibility for their role in perpetuating failure.

Being a politician can be a disappointing job. If a reformer becomes a politician then he will be criticised for trying to change the status quo. While, on the other hand, if he is a populist, when things get bad, he will be forced to shoulder the blame alone

Being a politician can be a disappointing job. If a reformer becomes a politician then he will be criticised for trying to change the status quo. While, on the other hand, if he is a populist, when things get bad, he will be forced to shoulder the blame alone

Despite, the failings of local politicians, the people of Jamaica must also acknowledge the fact that they contributed to the present crisis, by voting for demagogues and not holding their leaders accountable.

During the past two years we have been able to implement a number of new laws due to pressure from the International Monetary Fund. Our political system is so dysfunctional that parliamentarians seem not to remember that it is their duty to pass laws. Jamaica is one of the few places in the world where leaders can be elected without having positions on major issues. For example, because we are so obsessed with American culture, we know that during an election season, prospective candidates are expected to give their views on a range of issues from immigration to the minimum wage. Interestingly, it is very difficult for a presidential candidate to be taken seriously if he has never sponsored a Bill. However, in Jamaica, we are willing to accept leaders on the basis that they love the poor, even when their policies say otherwise.

The harsh reality is that this country will not get anywhere if the level of political discourse does not move beyond grade three, and we will not have anyone to blame but ourselves.

Lipton Matthews