Let Jamaica breathe again

Raye McHugh, Contributor

RECENTLY, I had a dream. Strangely, I was addressing an audience inclusive of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller. Here's what I remember of the dream.

Today, I feel honoured to be in this august body of people. To be addressing you is most awesome. Please accept holy greetings.

I believe the greatest problem facing our beloved country at this time is not crime, unemployment, mediocre health care or a seemingly underperforming educational system.

The single most crucial and pressing problem is the debt stock. This debt in excess of $1.6 trillion is like an albatross around the neck of the country. It chokes entrepreneurial creativity, stifles foreign direct investment, render government ineffective, which resulted in lawlessness and other antisocial behaviors. We can play the blame game and accuse successive governments for the dilemma in which we have found ourselves as a country, or we can think creatively and deal with this debt issue once and for all.

Result of debt

I am submitting to this audience that the reason for the poor state of our roads, hospitals, schools, the high crime rate, the deplorable conditions in which some of our citizens live and the high poverty rate is all as a result of the country's debt. With debt servicing accounting for approximately 60 cents of every dollar earned, prosperity as a nation is a pipe dream and vision 2030 is wishful thinking. We can't grow the economy in any meaningful way with this burden. We can't fight crime effectively, which, if done, would add another five to six per cent on our GDP. The country is being strangled and, as a nation, we are suffocating. I am saying to this audience and, in particular, to you, Madam PM, "LET JAMAICA BREATHE AGAIN".

As we move into the 50th year of independence as a nation, which many have dubbed the year of jubilee, let us examine for a moment the biblical meaning of this year. In the 50th year debts were forgiven, bondmen and women were set free and the land was able to breathe again because it was not tilled or farmed. I am presenting a simple suggestion to this august body of people that, if we buy into, we will rid Jamaica of all or most of her debt in this year of jubilee, hence causing her to breathe again in hope of a brighter future for its inhabitants.

Engage stakeholders

In order to do this we must engage all our stakeholders.

The diaspora: It is believed that more than 2.5 million people can be accounted for in the diaspora — many of whom have benefited from their country and want to make meaningful contribution to its well-being. What if we engage them and ask each of them to give US$100 or its equivalent for the year? That would be over US$250 million, and I am sure many of us in the diaspora would be willing and able to give more if we can be convinced.

Private sector: There are many businesses with meaningful investments in Jamaica, which is testament that they are in business for the long haul. They are very aware that the future of business in this climate is unsustainable. In partnership with Jamaica, they could make significant contribution to reduce the country's debt.

The Church: History has recorded, and it is evident in our eyes, that the church in Jamaica has played a major role in its growth and development. Why not take a proactive role in dealing with this monster of debt and in the spirit of the year of jubilee make a positive contribution to paying down the debt? How about giving up a tithe of the church's income?

All Jamaica: I believe a majority of the citizens and inhabitants of this beautiful isle would be willing to make the sacrifice and support this idea if they can see how beneficial it would be to them, and if they can trust its implementation. Our musicians, artistes and athletes could also make a positive contribution.

I would like us to begin to dream the impossible dream, of a debt-free Jamaica, learning from the experience of the past, charting a new course forward for the next 50 years. I believe the best gift we could give to the next generation is a country that is breathing.

I CHALLENGE ALL OF US: "LET JAMAICA BREATHE AGAIN".

Raye McHugh is the senior pastor of Praise Sanctuary Ministries Int'l Apostolic. He currently resides in New York. Send comments to columns@gleanerjm.com