Corruption, greed, and spiritual decline

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I would like to speak on three issues currently affecting our people: corruption, which seems ubiquitous in our society; price gouging; and a lack of spiritual values. These three issues must be addressed, and, I believe, they can have a positive effect if they are guided by high moral and spiritual values.

First, I will speak to the politicians and ask them if they are devoted patriots who whisper to the ears of their inner selves that they hate vice and corruption and are faithful servants who love to serve their country. Further, do they remember that a good leader is not one with many servants but rather, one that dedicates oneself to the service of many? If the latter is the case, you could be a balm in the hearts of the Jamaican people. Or are they saying to their inner selves, I will use my country for my own benefit, sucking its blood, sweat, and tears? If so, they are indeed tyrants, men without honour.

Next, I will speak to the merchants. Hurricane Beryl hit Jamaica on July 3 and devastated sections of our island, especially the breadbasket of our country, creating food shortages. As if that was not bad enough, price gouging became rampant, which begs the question for the merchants: Are you a merchant taking advantage of the needs of the people, hoarding goods to resell them at an exorbitant price? If so, you are a dishonest and immoral person, and it matters not if you live in a mansion or a hut. Or are you an honest man who enables farmers and producers to exchange their products and who mediates between buyers and sellers and, through your just ways, profits himself and others? If so, you are indeed righteous and worthy of praise.

To the religious leaders: Are you one who extracts through the simplicity of the faithful, money to purchase expensive clothes and cars and, while standing on podiums on Saturdays and Sundays, spew forth his hatred for Satan while living on Satan’s plenty? If so, you are a heretic, pretending to walk with the Supreme Being, while running with the Devil. Or are you a faithful one whose heart is a temple and your soul an altar, and who finds in the goodness of people a groundwork for the betterment of the whole nation? If you are such, you are like a lily in the garden of truth. To all the stakeholders mentioned above, ask yourselves what group you belong to when you are alone in the darkness of night.

ARTHUR PHIDD SR