Delroy Chuck
Delroy Chuck
THE POLITICALLY corrupt statement of Minister Aloun Assamba that she 'made sure' a civic committee in her constituency is "full of PNP people because we have an agenda... that South East St. Ann will never be represented by anybody other than the PNP" should warn Jamaicans how political consideration has become the norm of governance. Politics overwhelms everything.
If you are not of the right political colour then you cannot expect any important government appointment, contract or fair consideration. Political patronage, I daresay, is substantially responsible for the country's headlong rush to disaster.
I am really disappointed that Minister Assamba has not seen it fit and decent to apologise. I am even more disappointed that the governing party has not condemned the statement and denounced the pursuit of political tribalism inherent in her statement. Obviously, political tribalism is alive and well and will be a major obstacle to real progress and achievement for Jamaica and the Jamaican people. I really thought Aloun was one of the new, enlightened politicians who put Jamaica first but now I know otherwise.
NOTHING WRONG
In fact, former MP and PNP Deputy General Secretary, Colin Campbell, is reported as seeing nothing wrong: "Every politician all 60 of them do it." Well, Colin, that's not true. Not all politicians do it. I am aware that many of my JLP colleagues, especially the younger ones, do not play politics with people's lives, jobs and community service. I certainly don't. Naturally, there are many who still believe that every politician practises political tribalism, as that is the only way that he or she can get elected or remain elected. I strongly disagree. I challenge anyone to demonstrate that political tribalism in any form is practised in North East St. Andrew. Throughout the constituency, in Grants Pen, Shortwood or Barbican, we have spent much effort, time and money to denounce political tribalism, remove partisan slogans and decry garrison politics.
I have even prohibited the purchase and use of green paint in my community projects. I attend dozens, perhaps hundreds, of community and civic committee meetings and absolutely no one, including JLP supporters, could accuse me of what Minister Assamba asserts in its original or interpreted form. Interestingly, even the Prime Minister, from his insinuations in Parliament to me, believed Jamaicans for Justice, because it originated and has its office in my constituency, has some partisan leanings, but it is not true.
It is true that Jamaicans For Justice had its origins from demonstrators in the 1999 gas price demonstrations. I was invited to the second meeting of the group and asked how best could the group serve the people and the country. At the meeting, I urged the group to make justice its priority over education, constitutional reform, or community work and by a group vote justice was chosen. I stated then and there that the group would only be credible if it were non-partisan and promised never to attend another meeting, a promise I have duly kept, nor have I encouraged anyone to join the group.
LIFT THE COUNTRY
I make these points because I believe Jamaica deserves a new type of politics that can lift the country away from political tribalism, patronage and corruption. In fact, contractors, especially housing developers, in my constituency can attest that I have never demanded jobs or preference for any job on any construction site, even though when consulted I recommend persons of quality and merit. Unfortunately, I have had to argue and fought against many of my supporters who believe in the old type politics and want me to close down sites unless they were politically controlled.
I spend much time and effort explaining why we cannot allow politics to control and dominate our lives. I strongly believe that citizens are entitled to their political beliefs and persuasion. Politics should not become a religion or practised as a cult.
When people are indoctrinated into political fanaticism they become intolerant of other people's views and beliefs, which cannot be good for our democratic way of life. Democracy demands political tolerance, a battle for the best ideas, the promotion of persons of merit, and respect for minority opinions, even politically incorrect positions.
The real danger in Minister Assamba's statement is how do we know she and her Government do not practise or do the same thing when sensitive appointments are made to school boards, government posts and judicial bodies. If the country was on the right track, and the Government was doing a good job, the Government would have nothing to worry about. But, is it possible for the Government and the country to appreciate that it is too much partisan politics in the life of the nation that is partly responsible for its descent into chaos, indiscipline and corruption. Perhaps, when we start to put Jamaica and the people of Jamaica before partisan interests, Jamaica can turn around from its present disastrous and untenable path.
Delroy Chuck is an attorney-at-law and Opposition Member of Parliament. He can be
contacted by e-mail at Delchuck@hotmail.com.