Ronald Thwaites | Morals matter

Many of us have been following the tawdry story of a former and would-be president of the United States being arraigned on federal criminal charges. My observation is that this man is even less worthy of public trust than Boris Johnson, who the British have consigned to the political graveyard. ‘The Donald’, by contrast, is beloved and lionised by tens of millions of Americans (and no small number of Jamaicans) and will very possibly be a contender in the next presidential elections.

Why do these people rate him? That is a question which is seldom if ever canvassed in the left-liberal media. They excoriate Trump ever so justifiably and incessantly ( almost as much as their pro-abortion advocacy, but with such superficiality, intolerantly ignoring the genuine concerns of the sizeable minority who feel Trump and his kind better represent them than say, the Biden Democrats.

All of my life I have defended left-of-centre political economy. But I cannot align myself with the ‘cancel culture’ devotees who are the very opposite of genuine liberals. The American left-leaning media appear careless of such values as the inviolable sanctity of human life; the ordering of society in the interests of the majority; prizing the institutions of family, community, self-restraint and other canons of ethical living.

EXTREMES CONVERGE

MSNBC is sounding as bigoted and close-minded as Fox. That is disappointing because neither political extreme is advocating for the disadvantaged and dispossessed millions of Americans (Bernie Sanders is the exception) but instead, from different ends of the ideological spectrum, espousing exceptionalism, unlimited and therefore culpably selfish personal autonomy. I expect this from the right-wing zealots, not of the left. Their view of freedom is not mine. What of the common good? To quote the essayist William Hazlitt, “The love of liberty is the love of others: the love of power is the love of ourselves.”

The politics of the United States, the great paragon of democratic example, has little for us to emulate in its present practice.

THE PNP AND SALARIES

That’s why, by parity of reasoning, I am far more disappointed at the reaction of the People’s National Party (PNP) to the excesses salary self-awarded elected officials than I am of the Labourites. Mark Golding being the striking exception, of course.

I know from long personal experience how financially draining political representation is. But, as Sav-la-Mar Mayor Bertel Moore said pithily when asked if he was going to switch, “I am a PNP because PNP is the party for poor people.”

But not this time, apparently. Pocketing the big money while the majority of constituents can’t afford even food, then pointing finger and saying it is Andrew and Nigel’s fault, is a letdown. Neither Norman nor Michael would ever have done that, no matter the sacrifice.

And this is not an argument in support of poverty of political representatives. It is a strong call for proportionality.

THE HIGH ROAD

So what does my party stand for regarding the crushing and deepening inequality of Jamaican society? We hear the words, but the personal witness is missing. Because if our self-interest is as grossly unfair as the other side, what is the choice really?

I expected the tone-deafness from the “proto-Trumpists” but “et tu, Brute”? It’s easy for a retired politician to preach, but if the opposition MPs and councillors can be bought out so easily, guess what those with endless pockets will do to the electorate come election time. Morals matter.

LAST WEEK

You know I consider correcting the literacy, numeracy and attitudinal deficit in our school to be the nation’s most crucial priority. So while it was heartening to learn that Cabinet is to be asked to find money for the transformation effort, we should be ashamed that it has taken us two years since the Patterson Committee told us what we already knew, for us to begin to find the wherewithal to treat this cancer.

And since it will take billions, where this big money is to be found prior to the next Budget, and what are the plans to spend efficiently? This summer is being wasted again and you can’t introduce change suddenly on September morning.

The overhaul of the Education Code is required before any prospect of transformation can succeed – no matter how much money is voted. The dialogue and action on this matches in importance that on constitutional reform. Yet neither has started in earnest, while the Jamaica Teaching Council Bill still languishes and plenty early-childhood teachers are still untrained and being paid below or barely above minimum wage. But long bag of dollars are being shelled out to those responsible for correcting these wounds to our present and future. Where is our conscience? Morals matter.

LUCIFER AND LILITH

US social media reports that KFC is launching a sandwich in a packet labelled and featuring a picture of Satan (Diablo) and referencing the female demon Lilith, who the scripture identifies as a seducer of children. If this is fake news it should be disavowed. If it is real, just don’t bring it to Jamaica – especially after Danielle’s massacre and our penchant for necromancy and follow-fashion.

A GOOD FATHER

Father’s Day yesterday made me remember. For a father’s day feature years ago, the newspaper asked, “What were the best things my father had done for me? Had he bought me a car, left me a house or lots of money?” the journalist prompted. None of the above. The best gift my father gave me was to commit to my mother for 43 years and to work his ‘soul-case’ off to provide a stable and loving home. Being a good father or father figure is the most radical and valuable thing any man can do. Jamaica cannot prosper without re-culturing the family. Morals matter.

Rev Ronald G. Thwaites is an attorney-at-law. He is former member of parliament for Kingston Central and was the minister of education. He is the principal of St Michael’s College at the UWI. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.