Delroy Chuck WITH THE election day still a mystery, and completely within the discretion of the Prime Minister, many wonder whether this extraordinary power to keep people's lives on hold should be vacated, and a fixed election day decided. Interestingly, in 1997, with the PNP ahead in the polls, many noteworthy commentators and businessmen were urging the PM to call the election, as 1998 was too late to fly the gate. Now, with the polls showing a close and uncertain outcome, the PM is not too keen to fly the gate. In fact, for more than six months, he has been checking his stables, to see if his horses are ready. Clearly, they are not; otherwise he would fly the gate!
In the meantime, the political campaign has taken a nasty turn, with the family of the Leader of the Opposition being dragged into the mud and platform speeches and behaviour descending into the political gutter. It is sad, really sad, that politicians need to deal with personalities and engage in 'dutty' politics, instead of focusing on the real issues and lifting the tone and content of political debate. Jamaica has so many problems, so many challenges, that those who aspire to lead have a duty to present the electorate with workable solutions and a comprehensive vision of where they hope to lead the country.
At this time, the country should really be focused on the key election issues and assess which of the parties are better prepared and ready to govern the country. The Jamaica Labour Party has taken a giant step forward and placed its manifesto before the public. The content and range of projects and programmes are so comprehensive and far-reaching that the manifesto has caused the PNP to panic. While some Ministers have knocked the manifesto for being a 'book of dreams', 'wild promises', and argued that the promises cannot be kept; amazingly, and inconsistently, other government Ministers and apologists argue that the manifesto simply copies PNP programmes! Clearly, the manifesto has thrown the PNP camp into total confusion. The country awaits the PNP manifesto, repeatedly promised for over five months now.
What are really the key issues of this election campaign? The people do themselves a great disservice if they concentrate primarily on personalities, instead of on programmes and policies that can make the country better. I have no doubt that security and justice, jobs and economic expansion, and education and social well-being are the key issues that should set the agenda for political debate. While the government tries desperately to convince the people of its solid achievements and progress in the building of infrastructure, it neatly avoids its many failures, such as its dismal crime record and its failure to protect and secure the life and well-being of its citizens. The record murder rate, the perennial cry for justice, the explosion in our national debt, the downsizing and capsizing of businesses, and the failure to provide jobs and opportunities are major weaknesses in the government's list of solid achievements and claim to progress.
Still, the country has a duty to assess how best to move forward. One regrets that so many are likely to opt out of the political process for one reason or another. No doubt, many who opt out of the political process lack the reasoning and thinking ability to choose and to weigh issues, and instead of bearing the burden of deciding on issues, complain and wait on the judgement of others. I would argue that those who are yet to make up their minds or are determined to withdraw have a duty to read the JLP's manifesto and the PNP's when it becomes available. Our country is at the crossroads and every voter can make a difference in determining which direction it takes or avoids. It is therefore the duty of every citizen, I urge, to bear the responsibility of engagement and involvement in the political process and make a choice on the way forward.
The bottom line, when all is said on done, is which party is more likely to create the economic environment for jobs and opportunities. Without jobs and opportunities for our people, nothing else really matters. Unless we get our economy growing and expanding, then crime and violence will remain a problem, our educated graduates will be frustrated, and the pain and hardships presently being endured can only get worse. I acknowledge the significance of policies to deal with crime and violence, to ensure security and justice, and to address the many social needs of our people, but they remain political challenges until we fix the economy. The key election issue therefore is the economy and we need to debate which party has the better policies to grow and expand economic opportunities.
I contend that until we can provide a wide range of jobs and opportunities from which our people can choose, then the dignity and respect our people deserve cannot be achieved. Without a job or the opportunity to provide for himself and his family, a man's self worth is seriously challenged and his responsibility as a provider denied. A government fails the people when jobs and opportunities are in short supply, and if it is not creating new jobs and opportunities it is really failing in its primary responsibility. Why are our best minds migrating and seeking better opportunities abroad? Our graduates from high schools and tertiary institutions are idle, frustrated, and many despair, as their skills and qualifications are not enough to open doors to a brighter future. Hundreds of thousands of ordinary Jamaicans, daily, wake up and end the day wondering if they will ever find work. Can Jamaica continue on this path?
Until we put Jamaicans to work, Jamaica cannot get better. The real challenge therefore is what policies are needed to get the economy working, to attract investments, and to make production of goods and services the main emphasis for moving forward. The people of the country must decide on this key issue, as that is at the heart of what government is all about. Admittedly, the parties will come forward and try to persuade the people they have the right policies and the right team to get the economy moving, but the primary obligation rests on voters to shed the emotional baggage and start using their reasoning and mental faculties to assess the parties carefully, before making their electoral choices in what will be a defining moment in the country's future.
I remember well the gas riots of 1999, when Jamaicans felt the hardships and demonstrated against the oppressive policies of the government. Have things got better? Jamaicans will only have themselves to blame, if next year they find themselves in a similar quandary. Every Jamaican must therefore ask whether or not we are on the right track and on the right path to peace and prosperity. At this time, democracy beckons that we participate, assess, decide, help, and play our part to build a better Jamaica.
Delroy Chuck is an attorney-at-law and Opposition Member of Parliament. He can be contacted by e-mail at delchuck@hotmail.com.
