THE EDITOR, Sir:
CARIBBEAN EXAMS (CXC) are under way, thousands of our nation's children have high hopes in the world of academia, business, public service, or some other chosen field of endeavour. The sad truth is that some will get distinctions, ordinary passes or fail outright. The majority of failures will not be a result of getting zero for a mark, just that enough was not done to obtain the designated pass range of 1-3 with 4 and upward considered failures. It is, therefore, possible to fail while doing well at some answers.
William Clarke has referred to Jamaica as a 'failed state' for which he has received more negative criticisms than positive partly because many do not think for themselves, do not understand the concepts being discussed, deliberately confuse the issue or just jump on the bandwagon.
The state is that Government and bureaucracy set up to create stability and run the affairs of the country usually in the interest of someone or a particular class. That class in Jamaica is the capitalist class, the owners of the means of production. Jamaica is therefore a capitalist state. Is Mr. Clarke from where he sits as an executive manager in a major capitalist institution that makes billion-dollar profits saying capitalism is a failure in this country? We need to know therefore what are the aims and objectives of this capitalist state apart from effecting the greatest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich since slavery was
abolished.
If those who hold economic and financial power do not want Jamaica to take the path of going up a down escalator it could not happen. Organs of this capitalist state like the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, the Bankers Association, The Jamaica Manufacturers Association and associate organisations should let the workers and potential workers in this state know the vision they have for this country so we at least have an idea of where we are going.
Statements that Jamaica is a failed state only add to the confusion and create a further illusion that there is some sort of people's democracy and this illusion is even further deepened during an election period. The sad truth is that it does not really matter which major party wins, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) or Peoples National Party (PNP). Jamaica is a capitalist state and if it has failed will the capitalists stand up to make the necessary corrections?
I am, etc.,
MICHAEL SPENCE
Micspen2@hotmail.com
P.O Box 630
Liguanea P.O, Kingston 6
