THE EDITOR Sir,
DR. D.K. Duncan is a person whose politics may not be too pleasing to all, but his honesty cannot be questioned. His recent article points to the main causes behind the violence in places like Spanish Town. Dr. Duncan pointed out the doom that faces politicians who are not supportive of the partisan distribution of scarce benefits. This is the lifeline for Jamaican politicians. Without a clear support for partisan distribution of scarce benefits, the Jamaican politician cannot survive. He or she will not be able to live the life of luxury, which becomes part of their motivation to enter politics.
Mr Seaga's latest financial difficulties did not make things better. Many of the current and future political leaders are looking at his problems and are carefully ensuring that such financial difficulties do not come their way. The best way to do this is making sure that the political support remains as strong as possible and the best way to do this is by ensuring that scarce benefits are distributed in a partisan manner. The garrison constituency emerges and the politician becomes the don.
The gunmen in Spanish Town may be only soldiers, who happen to be from the poor communities. The colonels and the generals live in luxury on the other side of town.
Let us not forget that at the end of the war, the generals are the ones that go on trial for crimes against humanity. Jamaica has many soldiers fighting an unjust war, and the generals who sent them to war must be held accountable. When will Jamaica have its own Nuremburg trials?
I am, etc.,
DENNIS FRANCIS
Denafranco55@hotmail.com
New York
Via Go-Jamaica
