Herbert Lewis, Guest Columnist
As the next general election season kicks into gear, our politicians need to keep in mind that there are key issues which the electors are pondering as they decide which politician and which party they are likely to vote for to form the next government.
People are tired of the old-style politics where politicians abuse each other and each other's family. Unfortunately, this type of behaviour has started to raise its head already. What many fail to realise is that some of our electors take their cue from those whom they support, and abuse each other and sometimes act violently towards each other.
What we must not forget is that many of our citizens have lost interest in the political process and no doubt, behaviour of this kind has contributed to the loss of interest. We, all of us, deserve more - more than hearing who has knock knees and and who has bow legs. We are not interested in who leaves which party to join the other, or who has returned to which party. In the process of campaigning, it would be a great tribute to those who seek office if they try to educate the not-so-well-informed by telling the truth and nothing but the truth about the issues which are of concern.
Democratic institutions
Some of the issues which people expect the campaign will be run on include education, health and safety, human rights, the economy and jobs, energy and the environment, crime and public safety, accountability and justice.
The health of a free society can be measured by the willingness of ordinary people to take an active role in the nation's democratic institutions. Campaigning on issues could very well be one way of helping to re-establish the essential connection between citizens and their government and renew the Jamaican tradition of meaningful, active citizen participation in the nation's civic life.
While catching up on my reading over the weekend, I came across an article which I believe everyone who is seeking political office should read. The article was written by the late Harry Truman, the 33rd president of the United States who served from 1945-1953. He was a farmer, businessman, World War 1 veteran and U.S. senator. I now quote from the article:
"I believe in a moral code based on the Ten Commandments found in the 20th chapter of Exodus,and in the fifth, sixth and seventh chapters of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, which is the Sermon on the Mount. I believe a man ought to live by those precepts, which, if followed, will enable a man to do right. I don't know whether I have or not, but I have tried.
"I believe that the fundamental basis for a happy life with family and friends is to treat others as you would like to be treated, speak truthfully, act honourably and keep commitments to the letter.
"In public life, I have always believed that right will prevail. It has been my policy to obtain the facts - all the facts possible - then to make the decision in the public interest and to carry it out. If the facts justify the decision at the time it is made, it will always be right. A public man should not worry constantly about the verdict of history or what future generations will say about him. He must live in the present; make his decisions for the right on the facts as he sees them and history will take care of itself.
"I believe a public man must know the history and background of his nation to enable him to come more nearly to a proper decision in the public interest. In my opinion, a man in public life must think always of the public welfare. He must be careful not to mix his private and personal interest with his actions.
"The ethics of a public man must be unimpeachable. He must learn to reject unwise or imprudent requests from friends and associates without losing their friendship or loyalty. I believe that our Bill of Rights must be implemented, in fact, that it is the duty of every government - state, local or federal - to preserve the rights of the individual.
Civil rights programme
"I believe that a civil rights programme, as we must practice it today, involves not so much the protection of the people against the government, but the protection of the people by the government. And for this reason we must make the Government a friendly, vigilant defender of the rights and equalities of all Americans; and that every man should be free to live his life as he wishes. He should be limited only by his responsibility to his fellow man.
"I believe that we should remove the last barriers which stand between our people and their birthright. There can be no justifiable reason for discrimination because of ancestry, or religion or race or colour.
"I believe that to inspire the people of the world whose freedom is in jeopardy, and to restore hope to those who have lost their liberties, we must correct the remaining imperfections in our own democracy."
Food not only for thought, but for action. I honestly believe we all know the way - we only need the will.
Herbert Lewis is an industrial relations consultant and former president of the Jamaica Employers' Federation. He may be reached at herblewis@cwjamaica.com.
