Nation builders needed

Steve Lyston, Contributor

We need veracious nation builders, not those voracious for attention and personal gain.

We need people who genuinely and honestly desire to restore the nation in a balanced way - not just on an economic level. We need those who wish to bring the balance of the spiritual, social, economic, legal, familial and other areas; recognising God as the head of our nation, who is the creator of all things; and knowing that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.

The nation is certainly not lacking in intellect and intellectuals, but regardless of this fact, without the element of honesty you will not be seen as trustworthy. If you cannot be trusted, then your efforts will be in vain.

Veracity is a vital element to restoring and building any nation. How many politicians and businessmen abide by the law of the land? For that matter, how many church leaders are practising what they preach? Who pays taxes?

Many are talking about lottery scam, but what about money laundering?

Laws are being implemented to target one set of persons while the bigger fish are being allowed to escape. How many politicians have there been that have said that they are sorry for not being honest with the people they represent?

The action displayed toward the people of the nation that they are supposed to serve and represent, is the same action they display toward God.

Both political parties over the years - past and present Cabinets - need to be truthful to the people of the nation concerning the economy, especially the state of the economy now. This issue affects everyone, including the unborn child in its mother's womb.

Many times, the leaders will say that it is not for the people to know certain information. But it is better for us to know so that we know how to plan ahead individually. The country is in a state of captivity because our leaders in every level of society are not being honest.

How many businessmen are willing to come forward and admit that they have helped to bring the nation to this state and have been receiving more from the nation than they have been giving back.

The church leaders have found themselves in a position of compromise because they put their favorite political party, their denomination and the name of their church above truth and righteousness; so the voice they ought to have within the nation has been quieted and made inaudible.

Wasted opportunity

Both the Bruce Golding and Portia Simpson Miller got the opportunity to be the greatest leader, but they missed that opportunity when they chose to reject sound advice. Before we can see change within the nation, the 'spirit of Haman' that has been surrounding our kings has to go. 'Haman' has no respect for the king or the queen.

Haman never exemplifies any reverence to God. He was selfish and condescending in his ways. Haman thought himself wittier than the king; and his motive was to take control and to seize the throne.

On the matter of abortion, our leaders oftentimes will try to compare the United States and Jamaica when it comes to policy decisions. But they must understand that both countries have vast differences in size, nature and the economy.

Jamaica's social system does not support abortion; we have Christian values. Abortion is wrong! Are we moving away from Christianity to paganism?

According to the United Nations, "In 1994 the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) outcome document instructed that 'Governments should take appropriate steps to help women avoid abortion, which in no case should be promoted as a method of family planning ... '."

In addition to this, the UN also says that "member states have agreed to help women avoid abortion and UN agencies are prohibited from promoting it as a method of family planning", and Jamaica is a member state and was an active participant in the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, so Jamaica agreed to do this.

If Jamaica has taken such a decision to amend any law that runs counter to the agreement, the Government would be guilty of reneging on this commitment that was made to the international community.

The Government can do many things to keep women from making poor decisions and help them to make good choices. Although a pregnancy is unplanned, it does not mean they are or ought to be unwanted.

We need honest mentors to motivate our youth in the right direction, and our nation on the right path.

Steve Lyston is a biblical economics consultant and author of several books, including 'End Time Finance' and 'The New Millionaire'.