THE EDITOR, Sir:
SOMEONE RECENTLY said that Jamaica is a 'failed state'. I decided to ponder this and having done so, I regret that I must concur with the gentleman.
Unlike him, I will state my reasons for agreeing.
At the head of the list is a lack of vision. We do not know where we are, where we want to go, and how to get there. This is closely followed by voodoo economics as practised by the Hon. Doctor Clueless (to borrow an expression from Mutty Perkins) who ensures that all viable factories, industries and institutions fall into bankruptcy. This gives rise to unemployment and poverty which give rise to crime and the hustling and juggling mentality.
Then there is the polarised political tribalism giving rise to the political pork barrel syndrome. This is followed by a severe case of 'hoof in mouth disease' giving rise to such utterances as 'fire fi fire, blood fi blood', 'a gwan shut down the country like a sardine can, not even rain can come in', 'a pure bangarang a go gwan', 'politics is about who gets what, when, where and how' and finally, 'those who play by the rules get shafted'. Unfortunately, I play by the rules so you know that I am completely shafted.
Then we have a severe case of the uniform syndrome where
people below average intelligence are given 'criss' uniforms and a firearm, giving birth to arrogance and contempt for their fellowmen. This breeds injustice which is carefully sustained and maintained by an archaic judicial system where time is meaningless.
When all of the above is put into one big pot to stew, we wind up with crime, fear, cronyism, corruption, indiscipline, lawlessness, excessive bureaucracy and a rude, hostile and unfriendly society. The ultimate conclusion, therefore, is a 'failed and wasted state'.
I am, etc.,
AL RICHARDS
alfonz112@cwjamaica.com
