JaRistotle’s Jottings | Wanted: Leaders with testicular fortitude

The recent cass-cass between the leaders of the People's National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) over which party is more corrupt reflects a major failure to man-up to the realities within their respective parties, which is that corruption is rampant not only on the other side, but also under their noses, inna dem own house.

PNP president, Peter Phillips, in addressing the party faithful at their annual conference on September 16, labelled the [incumbent] JLP administration, headed by Andrew Holness, as the most corrupt in the history of independent Jamaica. Almost immediately the JLP leader counter-attacked, describing the PNP as the most corrupt political prganisation in the Caribbean.

When the leaders of our two [and only] significant political parties demonstrate such gutter-like behaviour, openly accusing their opponents of corruption, it does not augur well for the future of Jamaica. When last I checked, corruption was a criminal offence, which means they are suggesting that their opponents are criminals. As many a Jamaican seh, 'tief nuh like see man wid long bag'.

If this is all that we can look forward to under their leadership, whether in government or in opposition, we may as well prepare ourselves for the worst: Vision 2030 just got shafted.

Role models?

We should reasonably expect to hold persons who have ascended to the pinnacle of political affairs and governance as suitable role models for ourselves and future generations, but it appears that in Jamaica bhutto-ism and crassness hold sway, as against consistency of morals and ethics, of statesmanship and diplomacy. I encourage both leaders to remember that many of their 'subjects' take their cue from the top, from them as leaders. If either of them has any conviction to see Jamaica regain its moral composure then they should start acting the part.

Do as I do

I am challenging both Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Peter Phillips to commence clean-up campaigns within their respective parties. Do not be impaired by the biblical quote, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone" or hide behind the excuse of waiting on the other side to throw the first stone. Start acting now, gentlemen. It is not as if they don't know where to start, they have both repeatedly highlighted the other side's skeletons to the world, so they both know what ah gwaan, who have pot pon fire and dem hand inna di till.

Failure to heed this challenge will suggest one of a number of things: either that they are reluctant to do so because they have their own skeletons in the closet and fear exposure, that they are not man enough to put the country's interests before their own, that they simply don't care or that they are afraid. Regardless of the reason, inaction would suggest that they are not fit and proper persons to lead this country or shape its politics in a positive manner.

To your marks

Let us acknowledge the painful truth that politics has left an indelible stain on our little island, and permanently scarred many of our countrymen. People have been killed, denied justice and otherwise disenfranchised by the actions and directives of corrupt politicians on both sides of the divide. Jamaica has been denied countless opportunities for growth and improved way of life because of corruption. The rot continues to thrive, to expand and to cost us more.

The current leaders of the JLP and the PNP preside over this with reality. Will they continue to live in denial and be wimps or act like men with testicular fortitude?