Assamba's statement no surprise
published: Friday | September 3, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

TOURISM AND Industry Minister Aloun Assamba's declaration that she had packed a civic committee in her north east St Ann constituency with PNP supporters, while regrettable, did not surprise me. The mindset of most politicians is: deepen our politics, not our democracy. They believe that their involvement and validation is necessary at every level of society. Instead of allowing communities to naturally flourish, their intrusion has tribalised us and mentality enslaved us into believing that we cannot function without political help.

CREATIVITY WILL SUFFER

If 21st century Jamaica is to survive globalisation, the people must be given room to think independently. Otherwise, their creativity will suffer and the nation's competitive spirit will fall. We will drown in criminality and ultimately perish as a vibrant, free-market society.

Like many reform-minded Jamaicans, I believe that they, the politicians, are a product of the structure within which they operate. And until we truly revolutionise the system, where there is separation of powers within a kind of hybrid Westminster model and purpose is given to local governance where the counties (regions) deliver some services and the municipals cultivate community spirit, we can forget ever becoming a cohesive nation.

I am, etc.,

MICHAEL BROWN

miguelbro@yahoo.com

Washington, DC