LETTER OF THE DAY - Improbable, impractical solution

The Editor, Sir:

I write concerning the article titled 'Portia asks rich to trade places with poor' published in The Gleaner of July 27.

The Leader of the Opposition, Portia Simpson Miller is quoted as saying, "It would be good if we move the people from the inner cities and those who live uptown move into the inner cities". I am not surprised by the typical 'political extremism' in her statement, which we have come to expect with dismay from our politicians, suggesting improbable and impractical solutions to serious problems affecting our nation.

My simple understanding of the concept of de-garrisonisation is the transformation of a former garrison community that is ruled largely by the gun and jungle justice to a community that is ruled by the laws of Jamaica. We have heard of several examples of so-called 'dons' and 'area leaders' who enforce 'garrison rule' in these communities. However, their families are nestled securely in upscale residences, far from the characteristic dangers, squalor or hardships. So too, the political representatives of such communities are in large part, sheltered from the realities of these communities.

It would be far better for us as a nation to include in the strategy of dismantling garrisons, changes to the appropriate laws and regulations to make it mandatory for every elected member of parliament and elected member of local government municipalities to live within their assigned constituencies with their families, perhaps within a certain maximum distance from their constituency and parish council offices.

In order to be a true representative of the people one should live among the people and not merely visit as election day draws nigh. I submit that if an elected official is reluctant to live with his or her family among the people, then their representation of the people ought to be questioned and perhaps reconsidered.

Better advocacy

I consider this to be a practical approach that would bring tangible benefits to our country in only a few short years. To have the persons in positions of power who are best able to transform communities, the lives of their residents and external perceptions of communities actually living in these areas would create the best advocates possible as they would no longer be so far removed from the realities they were elected to represent.

Painting and cleaning up your own home from the inside out is almost always quicker and easier than trying to transform someone else's home from the outside.

If our elected officials are serious about nation building, let us see more practical action, otherwise we should see them for what they are.

I am, etc.,

CLAUDE CAMPBELL

cyborg@flowja.com