The human cost of corruption

THE EDITOR, Sir:

WHILE THE economic cost of corruption is always at the forefront of debates on corruption, the human and social costs of corruption is either ignored or overlooked, maybe as a result of being more difficult to identify and quantify. While the economic costs of corruption tend to be immediate, the human and social costs are more impacting and the effects more long term, as evidenced by the Cuban light-bulb scandal.

The verdict is still out as to whether Kern Spencer is guilty of any criminal conduct, but investigations by the contractor general point to corruption. Spencer's stepping down from representational politics represents the human and social cost of corruption in its most raw state. Jamaica, and not only the People's National Party, has lost. No doubt, young Spencer had contributions to make to the Jamaican society in general and his constituency in particular. Jamaica has lost another of her potentially outstanding sons to the vices of crime and corruption. While we continue to lose our best young minds, the nurturing environment remains intact, peopled by dinosaurs, imbibing the old ways and bent on leaving an 'impression' on impressionable minds.

Old wine

To those young Jamaicans seeking to replace Spencer, take heed. They say youth is wasted on the young, so drink not of the old wine, make place for the new wine.

The new Jamaica is on the horizon, where truth, integrity, honour and liberty prevail, where the man who plays by the rules is rewarded, not shafted, and where corrupt officials public and/or private, big or small, will be confined to the cells at the Tower Street adult correctional facilities.

I am, etc.,

Phillip Chambers

Greater Portmore