A debt wish

Ken Jones, Contributor

For of the first 10 years of Independence, Jamaica enjoyed fantastic economic growth. Our resources grew steadily and included Net International Reserves of nearly US$250 million. We contributed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) but took no loan from it. There was social change which, though incomplete, was an enormous improvement on conditions inherited from 300-plus years of colonialism. Hungry for more at a faster rate, we rejected the authors of those 10 years of positive performance and swapped capitalistic productivity for socialistic programming.

What followed was a traumatic time of trials in an attempt to correct imbalances and redistribute wealth we had not yet accumulated. We began borrowing and bowing to the IMF and to nations left, right and centre. Investments fell, capital fled and Net International Reserves dropped to minus US$74 million. That experience ended up with what a World Bank president of the time is quoted as describing as the second worst economy in the world.

Having suffered privations of all sorts, we turned to another administration and were fortunate to have a semblance of stability return.

commitment and ability

Today, a good look at the political stage will show that those waiting in the wings are way behind Bruce Golding in terms of experience, commitment and ability to articulate and negotiate. Running of a country's affairs requires more than histrionics. Reading of a script must be accompanied by stellar performance, if the audience is to be satisfied. Yet, around the theatre we are hearing the shrill voices of amateur lie detectors, who supposedly have never themselves used a falsehood. They are demanding that Golding should depart because once, in a ticklish situation, he failed to speak the truth.

The prime minister has publicly admitted the error of his ways.

But despite this unusual show of contrition, we are witnessing strange things, such as clergymen, claiming allegiance to the principles of Jesus Christ, refusing to forgive. Like Shylock, latter-day sinners and 'saints' are eager to exact their pound of flesh, or more so the head of their government.

To me, the pattern is all too familiar. Jamaicans, mindless of the cost, are ever willing to cut their proverbial nose to spite their face, and once again embrace the old debt wish. It seems to me that what we pray for we may well receive, and then what?

Ken Jones is a veteran journalist. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.