Dear Editor,

The last time I checked Marisa Dalrymple Philibert was a Jamaican politician. Politicians, it is alleged, are tasked with the responsibility of, among other things, making laws and decisions that benefit Jamaica and its inhabitants. The word inhabitants, as used here, suggests the majority of, if not all Jamaicans, and not just family and friends of politicians.

I heard on a radio newscast this morning, July 26, 2017, where Philibert was proposing that the pensions and benefits of retired judges be indexed to the salary of those currently serving. This is what was done for ex-prime ministers, who incidentally just happen to be ex-politicians, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine Members of Parliament (MP) would be next in line.

The question I would like to ask MP Philibert is: What is it exactly that makes a retired judge a better or more special individual than a retired nurse, a retired police sergeant, a retired garbage truck driver, a retired tax office worker, or a retired teacher? Why isn’t she calling for all retired civil servants and government workers’ pensions and benefits to be indexed to the salary of people currently in those positions? Interestingly enough, the salaries and perks that accrue to a judge dwarfs that received by the vast majority of civil servants and government workers.

The perception is already out there that Jamaican politicians are all about enriching themselves, their families, and friends, and pronouncements such as this one from MP Philibert will only add fuel to the fire.

Now, I have nothing against judges, nor am I against her proposal, but why actively seek to widen the already gaping inequality and promote animus in this deeply divided country?

In light of this sparked development by Philibert and others currently bombarding media, I am moved to make a serious suggestion: I would like to propose that the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell be made required reading for every Jamaican over the age of 13 years of age. There are so many parallels in that book to what obtains today in Jamaica it is downright frightening. One particular line in the book that stands out for me is to be found in the ‘Nicodemusly’ revised commandments of the animals. It is totally applicable today and reads something like this: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Sounds familiar?

Robert Mitchell

Christiana PO, Manchester

mitcib@yahoo.ca