THE EDITOR, Sir:
AS ONE of the many "outside" citizens eager to return to a Jamaica firmly entrenched on a path of peaceful and orderly development, I must express serious concern at certain recent developments unfolding there.
It goes without saying that the Minister of Finance displayed gross arrogance and even some political naiveté in his statements regarding project expenditure leading up to the last election.
What I find even more unconscionable is the government increasing the emoluments of parliamentarians by such a large amount while calling on the rest of the society to "hold strain" with offers to teachers for example in the region of three per cent.
True to his political instincts, the Opposition Leader has seen a break in the Government's political "armour", and has "declared war". In spite of the apology of the Finance Minister and the freeze placed on parliamentary salaries by the Prime Minister, the situation does not augur well for peaceful and orderly development in the foreseeable future.
The government is going to need the full support and co-operation of the Jamaican people in order to bring the economy back on track, not to mention maintaining and building on the fragile inroads made in the campaign against crime and violence.
What I see developing is a political powder keg reminiscent of the explosion of 1980 from which we are still recovering after some 23 years.
It is with this in mind that I humbly make the following suggestions:
That the Prime Minister immediately roll back all salaries of parliamentarians with the proviso that any percentage increase will not exceed the average being offered to public sector workers at least until such time that the targeted fiscal deficit is achieved. At that time a committee can be appointed to review parliamentary salaries and make further recommendations.
That the Opposition Leader agree to this proposal and rather than embarking on a quest to "bring down" the government, dedicate himself and his party to identifying and exposing real incidents of corruption, (over-expenditure of the budget does not automatically equal corruption, as he well knows) and closely monitor the activities and expenditures of the government on behalf of the Jamaican people.
That although many of us believe he has been one of the better Ministers of Finance, Dr. Omar Davies should resign as minister, not because of any corruption on his part but in the interest of uniting the Jamaican people. ("Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done")
This is not a time to be at daggers drawn but to keep cool heads, and to place the country's welfare before narrow political interests.
I am etc.,
PAUL THORBOURNE
anthorpaul@hotmail.com
Via Go-Jamaica
