Many years ago former prime minister and National Democratic Movement (NDM) founder Bruce Golding, in a bid to excite the political landscape and inspire the Jamaican people toward greatness and prosperity, utilised the catch phrase “We are too blessed to be stressed.”

On a regular basis, each time that the island has been spared the wrath of a natural disaster, usually brought about by a hurricane or earthquake, numerous Jamaicans have declared with much gratitude that we are a God-blessed country. Indeed, when “Ian the Horrible” recently unleashed its deadly fury on sections of Cuba and Florida, sidestepping Jamaica, many prayers of thanks to the Almighty went up to the extent that some Jamaicans have remained convinced that we are “special” in the sight of God.

Of course, this is a most strange and intriguing scenario as this same so-called God-blessed country is one of the most murderous and corrupt nations in the world. In truth, this writer cannot recall any major catastrophe in “Jamdown” that has taken so many lives annually as the gun, other lethal weapons, not to mention motor vehicle accidents. So while the good Lord has been stilling the storm, is it that He could not care less about mankind’s wickedness to one another?

Even as the murder rate escalates yearly, two successive ministers of national security sought divine intervention, namely Peter Bunting and Robert Montague, with the latter even threatening to bring his obeah man uncle into the mix, but not with any worthwhile success. Is it that, in this instance, God does not care, or are Jamaicans are beyond redemption? Then there is the Church that has marched, staged vigils, prayed, and preached without ceasing, among other seemingly frantic and knee-jerk interventions, much to no avail, unfortunately.

Readers, please pardon my high level of cynicism, which increases with an even greater level of scepticism, when the political directorate, inclusive of the Government and the Opposition, are put under the microscope, in terms of their oftentimes feeble, half-baked, ill-conceived, and weak-kneed attempts to address crime and corruption in this God-blessed country. In this vein, terms such as “terrorist” and “mass murder” are becoming commonplace as brazen criminals carry out their heartless acts of killing, maiming, robbing, and terrorising the Jamaican populace now living in abject fear.

Many concerned citizens have been wondering if Prime Minister Andrew Holness, his deputy, and National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang and Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson sleep well at nights, if they sleep at all, as they are constantly being bombarded with news of killings and more killings. Poor “Anju” must be ruing the day when he reportedly made that now infamous statement at a political rally in western Jamaica assuring Jamaicans that under a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Administration they would be able to sleep at nights with their doors and windows open (or words to that effect). No doubt, he meant well, but truly it has been said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions and cock mouth has a way of killing cock.

Today, the sad truth is that most Jamaicans are running scared because of the “pop down” state the country is in with respect to public safety and how the State, which has this primary responsibility to keep every citizen safe and sound, has been failing most miserably to create a reasonable comfort level in the wider society.

Especially among the professional, academic, and business classes, frustrated and frightened citizens are packing up and migrating by any means necessary. In the lower echelons of the society, those who cannot get visas or some form of sponsorship are choosing the illegal route by going through Mexico, The Bahamas, and Haiti or availing themselves of the vagaries of human trafficking. Meanwhile, retirees or successful Jamaicans in the Diaspora who wish to return home and settle are changing their minds, heading to the warm climes of Florida, USA, other islands in the Caribbean, or just staying put. Regrettably, no longer are many Jamaicans singing, “No weh no betta dan yard!”

In the meantime, citizens’ stress levels are being further exacerbated by such vexing issues as a wretched and perilous transportation system; inflation that has triggered an increasing high cost of living; enterprising farmers are being plagued by praedial larceny and bad roads; schools are fast becoming a microcosm of the society, replete with indiscipline, murderous intents, and a failure to produce, for the most part, useful and happy citizens; pensioners and taxpayers are continuously subjected to a crass, uncaring public sector, poor service emanating from public “futilities”, oops, I mean utilities, rampant corruption in government entities, a nightmarish traffic system that is daily tormenting motorists with gridlock in most major townships, and a police force which appears inept and corrupt; and the list of woes goes on and on.

Incidentally, we have now embarked on exporting crime, which is perhaps Jamaica’s most lucrative and thriving business. To some extent, it is almost laughable that the Turks and Caicos Islands is seeking Jamaica’s help to tackle criminal gang activities in that mini State, as if we do not have enough problems at home to deal with!

Against this background, the potent question that must be asked is: Is there a balm in Gilead to heal this sin-sick nation? Regrettably, just about every solution that the Government brings to the fore is oftentimes plagued with insurmountable problems because of a lack of sufficient consultation or in-depth planning. Prime Minister Holness and his Cabinet need to take a few steps backward and view this ailing state of Jamaica before they go forward. After all, it has been said that hindsight is 20/20.

In the final analysis, Jamaicans from all walks of life will have to come together and seek to become a part of the solution rather than the problem. And, in this context, the Government and Opposition must take a deep breath, abhor cheap political point scoring and “tracing” from party platforms and come up with a national action plan that we can all buy into regardless of our personal beliefs or affectations.

Prime Minister Holness still has enough political capital to dare to be a Daniel and make decisions, some of which may even make him unpopular, but in the end, what we need are statesmen and stateswomen who put their country first and not just petty politicians and their followers who put their parties first. The writing is on the wall and we had better not be found wanting.

Lloyd B Smith has been involved in Jamaican media for the past 46 years. He has also served as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He hails from western Jamaica where he is popularly known as the Governor. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or lbsmith4@gmail.com.