Dear Editor,

I am utterly bemused that in the wake of the discovery of a mess at Petrojam — now deemed by society as only another of the myriad incidents characteristic of Jamaica’s time-honoured reputation of rank corruption in government by its officials — that people should desire to appear smart by reminding Prime Minister Andrew Holness of his seemingly unequivocal stance against officials involved in corruption during his tenure in Opposition.

The reality is that this, and no less an opportune occasion than numerous past ones, is when Jamaicans can actually be smart rather than continue to be smart alec.

Grandma’s words of wisdom are to time immemorial with the Jamaican society, recall the one that says: “Tief neva love si tief wid long bag.”

It is a very sad reality to accept in Jamaica, especially within the context of an ever-struggling economy, that our politicians are absolutely without good intentions towards us. Whenever it is that the People’s National Party (PNP) decries depraved actions of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) it is only an indication that the PNP would rather be in the marauding position that the JLP is in, and the same would be true if the JLP were in the PNP’s position.

The graft in Jamaican politics over almost as many years of this country’s independence is inveterate. The only certain prediction to be made of this situation in Jamaica is that it will be a constant with any Government in the equation. Our governments, having this authority to do as they like with the nation’s money, will only continue to perpetuate an incorrigible situation of “giving puss butter to carry”.

Perhaps the only hope of a change for the better in this situation for the Jamaican people, fraught with the crushing debt burden from the misdeeds of our politicians, is when our finances are handled independently by reputable international agents, and government officials are held to a high threat of imprisonment for their misdeeds.

As citizens of Jamaica, let us not be distracted by the present contentions of our garrulous politicians on the issue. Let us neither take sides along the political divide of this debate lest we are either supporting the one ‘with the long bag’ or the one filled with envy for the long bag. Rather, let us together condemn this ignominious form of politics practised in Jamaica that has too long now been responsible for our sad state.

J W

yesjohanna@yahoo.com