Issue: Destructive politics
Published:Saturday | February 19, 2011 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I recently watched with dismay the rather disgusting behaviour of members of parliament from both sides of the political divide that occurred at Gordon House recently. It appeared threats were made after rude and inappropriate name-calling towards an opposition member.
The behaviour I saw seems to be a reflection of the destructive politics that has been practised by the major parties over the years. It is also a reflection of the loss of civility within the greater Jamaican society and stunted development and psychosis plaguing the nation.
Jamaicans and their leaders with whom they have entrusted leadership must extricate themselves from such destructive tendencies, without which the nation will continue to slide into an abyss from which it may not be able to extricate itself.
The intellectuals of the country, including lawyers of governance, faculty members from the sociology and political-science departments, must convene conferences to reform politics as is practised in Jamaica today and to erase from it, once and for all, the destructive and hateful tendencies exhibited by elected officials.
Jamaica must be placed above all. Duty to country must be paramount. Divisiveness, arrogance, pride, hatred, self-importance and malice towards each other should have no place in Parliament. There should be hefty fines imposed on parliamentarians who go against established codes of conduct on the floor.
In carrying out the business of governance, the survival, growth and development of the nation for its people must be above all else.
I am, etc.,
WILL
New York