The number one responsibility of the government is to provide security for its citizens. I doubt that any rational person would deny that in our Island home of Jamaica, successive administrations of both political parties have failed dismally at that core responsibility.
Frustrated, many of our fellow citizens have thrown up their hands because they see no change in the direction of our politics and as a consequence, they are convinced there will be no change in the downward spiral.
Why are Jamaican politicians so in love with criminals is the question that we must all ask ourselves? The other question is, if you are aligned to violent murderers, are you by default a criminal yourself?
I am still hopeful that the nation’s leaders will change course for the good of all of our people, particularly the young people who deserve a future outside of hopelessness, hunger, and despair.
As I pointed out in the above video, I am still hopeful that there is still time to change course before it is too far gone.
I understand the idea that if successive administrations have been unable to offer the Jamaican people the degree of security they deserve, then expecting them to offer other basic infrastructural development may be outside what we can expect of them. I get how that can breed cynicism.
I am also conversant that other dynamics at play impact how the nation’s leaders approach the crime fight.……Apathy, ignorance, incompetence, complicity, involvement, passivity, to name a few.
And then, I also understand that collectively, the leadership of both political parties have minimal knowledge of anything outside the shores of the Island, which in turn limits their abilities in terms of critical thinking, which is crucial to governance.
Securing the nation can be accomplished, but it will require a government and opposition that fully eschew connections with and to criminal networks. It will require leaders who are not only untainted by corruption but who are virulently anti-corruption.
Do I see the foregone emerging in my lifetime? Sadly, no! The nation needs leaders dedicated to saving our country from the criminal gangs that previous leaders encouraged and nurtured.
So we must make do with the crop of leaders we have, cows that give a pail of milk then kicks it over.
In some cases, some mean well and want the country to do well but have no idea how to get there.
I believe we are exactly mired in that quandary at present in our nation’s development.
In the meantime, it would be a great idea for the governing administration to embark on some other infrastructure development projects since securing the Jamaican people is outside the scope of what it can accomplish.
How about building roads and bridges all across the Island? Improving water supply, electricity and broadband, will exponentially reduce urban sprawl and add value to people’s property across the country.
Investors may be persuaded to invest, and Jamaicans living abroad may be inclined to consider returning to live with their resources which they may invest in hiring more young people.
Maybe, just maybe, if this approach is adopted in the face of the inability to deal with the criminals, enough, people may return with the money and the clout to change the country themselves.
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Mike Beckles is a former Police Detective, businessman, freelance writer, black achiever honoree, and creator of the blog mikebeckles.com.