THE EDITOR, Sir:
THESE DAYS everybody is calling on the Government for this and that. Every day it is what the Government is going to do for the people and the understanding between the people and the Government. All the time, it is the 'we' and 'them' thing. May I suggest that the people are the Government, as put forward to me as a youth growing up in Kingston. Mind you, not everyone shares this idea that we the people are the same human beings as the ones elected to represent 'We'; then again that is "animal farm psychology".
When the French, Dutch and British were participating in empire building in the New World, it was necessary to reinforce the differences between them, the owners and givers of life, liberty, and any pursuit whatsoever (government), and us (the people), who were being played like tunes. So
having evolved from the physical mani-
festation of that master/slave relationship, those of us entrusted with leadership out of the wilderness of 364 years of wandering in the New World, were not able to empower the majority of us, with the bold fact that governing is not an exclusive job for one man, or even 60 men (women included of course). It is particularly difficult for only 60 men and women to manage the affairs of 2.5 million people. So therefore everyone is needed to step up to the crease for his or her turn at bat.
In this regard, the turn to bat does not mean national leadership, but leadership in the affairs of each and their family. We as a people must define our common values and celebrate those. The people elected to represent "We" are to enable the means to achieve these values. Being Jamaican is hard work, we don't seem to agree readily on everything, but that is ok, as long as we hold that we will respect one another. Herein, I think, lies the root of the problem that gives rise to our numbing murder rate. Respect is a simple thing and is only a state of mind. We should as a people have a genuine dialogue on this.
ICE AGE
So now that the ACP and its prices and quotas are going south, preferential treatment and the Lome convention have gone with the Ice Age, and the price of oil is gone with the shuttle programme, we are left somewhat chagrined by the bag we hold. It is time that we put down the bag and put some stuff into it, instead of running around asking or telling others to put whatever they think they can put into it. Like Santa Claus and Christmas, the sock (bag) over the
mantle iece will be filled by Santa Claus for only the children that Mr. Claus feels have been good. In the Jamaican context that will leave most of us with a very slim sock for the Christmas.
Let us, the Government, acknowledge that we are one and the same people, and we are them. Let us the Government remove
exclusivity from among us, move from behind darkened SUV windows and lofty penthouses overlooking Kingston. Let us acknowledge that times are hard and the
oil crisis is hitting us for six. Let us acknowledge that taxing one is taxing all, and that taxes only work when production works. Let us acknowledge that the only taxes on production should be nominal, because it is more important to have a job that can raise a family, than to have more taxes, and have to use it to lock up the unemployed.
We have a long way to go Mr. "Government". Will you please join us in making the journey worthwhile, memorable and good? We need your expertise in the mechanisms of government, as much as
you need our ideas, industry and sheer
determination to never quit.
I am, etc.,
HUGH M. DUNBAR
hmdenergy@optonline.com
6010 Boulevard East
West New York
New Jersey
Via Go-Jamaica
