Garth Rattray THE EIGHT Beatitudes were solemn blessings that marked the opening of the Sermon on the Mount. However, we here in Jamaica are cursed by eight 'B' attitudes (bad attitudes) that hamper our chances for prosperity.
BLAMING (FINGER POINTING)
Jamaica suffers from frivolous public spending and wastage. Most would also agree that the administration was asleep at the wheel when financial institutions offered fantastic returns on unsustainable high interest-bearing 'investment' accounts. It then had to create FINSAC to rescue victims of the resultant fiduciary cataclysm. Further-more, instead of investing heavily in an efficient public transport system the importation of used motor vehicles was liberalised, apparently hoping to generate tax dollars and to placate a disgruntled public. This industry, which has little to do with production, mushroomed and now we are forced into spending precious foreign currency to import petrol, spare parts and to effect road repairs/expansion. But finger pointing alone will get us nowhere. It's time that we come together and search for solutions to our current plight.
BEWAILING (CONSTANT COMPLAINING)
Our financial predicament is indeed frightening. The dollar may go from being worth less to becoming worthless and the real inflation rate is meteoric. But complaining alone will solve nothing. Negativity will consume us from within. We need to encourage positive values and attitudes we need to complain less and channel our efforts into working towards increased production, economic growth and development.
BELITTLING
Our people are treated, for the most part, like dependent children, unable to assess situations that will affect them and incapable of making informed decisions. Elected officials have always been accused of putting politics at the fore of their plans and to this end they sometimes withhold information. Although visible efforts are now being made to keep us apprised, we need honesty and sustained transparency from our public officials if we are to participate in the betterment of our nation, as we should. This is our country and its recovery will require team effort.
BITTERNESS
People are still stinging because of public sector wastage over the years. They are tired of having to pay for repetitive expensive mistakes. Limited public funds are frequently misused and squandered, consequently many have lost faith in the competence and veracity of some politicians. Unfortunately, Jamaicans now view the government as 'them' and the citizenry as 'us'. This divergence only serves to undermine recovery efforts; it needs to be undone.
BELLIGERENCE
Hard times and the feeling of hopelessness have contributed to rampant hostility and malfeasance. The crime rate is a major cause of lost investment opportunities, failed entrepreneurial ideas and the migration of our young and talented. Aggressive and unkind individuals who are liable to violate each other over trivial disagreements are everywhere. This is no way to promote nationalism, unity is badly needed at this time. A country grows best in an atmosphere of peace, tranquillity and kinship.
BETRAYAL
Elected officials hold the well-being of the entire nation in their hands. Suffice it to say, many people complain of feeling that there has been a betrayal of that sacred trust. Feeling let down, they have decided that it's every man for himself and have taken steps to secure their personal future. Selfishness in matters of economy and commerce will stymie efforts at productivity, retard business and therefore favour poverty and crime.
BASENESS (SELFISHNESS/GREED)
Panic has led some to practice unpatriotic selfishness. They capitalise on our misfortunes by speculating on the US dollar. Others are hurriedly buying property in the USA (especially Florida). Their actions are driving the value of the Jamaican dollar down precipitously and making a bad situation much worse for all of us. Their selfishness/greed is contributing to our demise.
BORROWING
We are a nation of consumers. Unrestrained importation, insufficient exportation, inadequate foreign income and resultant massive borrowing commit us to oppressive debt-servicing and force future generations to pay for our lifestyle of today. We must regulate ourselves by voluntarily reducing consumption and aggressively pursuing avenues of production and exportation in order to earn foreign currency and reduce borrowing. Jamaica is embroiled in a fight for survival. We are against the ropes, covering up and taking punishing blows. This is no way to win a fight; we need a new plan. Our country must get past the 'B' attitudes that have hindered our recovery. We must stand together or fall apart. It's time to purge ourselves of negativity and work together for the common good of our beloved country.
Dr Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice.
