THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM very optimistic about the future of Jamaica, for once after leaving high school almost a decade ago.
There is now a very good opportunity for Jamaicans to embrace each other and work together for the good of our country. I take heart from two things:
1) The general election was conducted far better than I thought it would have been.
2) I think the leaders of both major political parties seem to be making a concerted effort to work together. The opposition has finally gotten it right, its not just about opposing every single issue that comes to the table but also to endorse those that are considered beneficial to the people of Jamaica.
We need the Opposition party to ensure that we get the very best from the Government and also to seek to rid the government of corruption which seems to dominate political life. There are very important lessons to be learnt from the results of the general election. The most important is that the people of Jamaica are moving away from the traditional politics whereby we voted for the party that our parents supported and have begun to focus on issues that are important.
I think many of the PNP Members of Parliament have done the party a great injustice which caused them to lose seats. Take for instance the constituency of West Rural St. Andrew. For the entire tenure of the former MP there has been no sort of representation in that constituency whatsoever. The fact is repairing a road is not a gift but a part of the people's regular expectation seeing that we pay all sort of taxes.
The MPs are the bridges between the Government and the people; this is how we get our say on what are important issues to us. If the people see that their voices are being heard they are more likely to take a more active role in the development of this country. Without the input of the people the Government will not be able to move this country an inch. The powers that be must now make their vision the vision of the people and vice versa.
I feel the wave of change and think many more Jamaicans are feeling it too. As a relatively young Jamaican I am optimistic because I now see a political system that may actually be effective in moving us forward. I see great minds coming together and working to sort out our problems and to ensure a future for this country. I see my brothers and sisters being enlightened to the fact that the system that we blame for all our problems also consists of us and we can each help to mould that system to a point where it will boost rather than stifle our abilities.
I am optimistic because I am Jamaican and to be Jamaican is to be great.
I am, etc.,
KEVIN BOSWELL
phclint@hotmail.com
New Brunswick
Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
