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Taxi drivers use their vehicles to block the Stewart Town main road in St Mary on January 13 in protest against the decision of a resident magistrate to jail, for two days, those who continue to breach the Road Traffic Act.

Kenneth N. Bingham and Martin H. Bingham, Contributors

"Hail to Jamaica, the island of springs. Peace on her meadows those radiant springs..." When Claude McKay wrote those thrilling words could he have envisioned the state of things in this "fairest isle" several decades later?

We are confronted with a stark reality; many are crippled with fear and others with deep resentment - loved ones plucked from their sight; broken dreams. Others remain in denial: Things are not so bad after all. Years ago a talk show host responded to a caller thus: "Crime is everywhere. There is murder in New York".

Since we live in Jamaica, shouldn't we let others worry about their situations and clean up their acts? New York has. What have we done? Excuses and denials have landed us into this quagmire and won't get us out either. Of course, the excuses and denials often end abruptly when the reality, which hitherto seemed so unreal, visits on our door-step or next door. That same talk show host was heard on radio, years later, in near hysterical tones: "Imagine they just held up a lady on my street and took away her car keys!"

We accept that that there are problems and that it is urgent that as citizens we search for solutions. As the search proceeds, we are proposing universal elementary education and training. These should provide hope - the ingredient conspicuously absent from many of our communities.

When there is universal elementary education and every child from whatever circumstances is dressed and leaves for school each day, the pall of gloom and despair, now enfolding many of our communities, will change to hope of a brighter future for the children. The parents will see their future come to life as well. We should abandon every excuse and find every reason to proceed with haste on this front.

One decision-maker was less than enthused by the initial argument about universal elementary education. This would make criminals of poor parents who could not afford to send their children to school, he thought. Well, isn't it likely that we may inadvertently make criminals of these innocent children by denying them education and training in the first place?

Universal education will require a special 'will'. A country our size, that boasts such fine buildings and motor vehicles has already demonstrated that capacity.

What is advocated is the application of means tests to determine which children require assistance, and to what extent, and then to provide it. Indeed, there is no need to apply any such test. We already know who are the poor and very poor in our midst. We should certainly not expect the state to pay the fees for those children whose families can afford to do so. That would then release funds to help those in need - to the max.

Assistance

We could then provide the bus fare, uniform, shoes, breakfast, lunch, or whatever else is required to put all our children in school. Freeness mentality, we hear? No it isn't. Those children did not choose their poor circumstances. In fact, they are not those children. They are our children. By helping them we are helping to reduce crime and distress in our society and, come to think of it helping ourselves. Can't we see assistance to our people, in need, in a different light - as "a hand up"; and not a hand-out?

Education and training should form the basis of any serious efforts at refashioning Jamaica into a 'kinder, gentler society'. It is the most credible factor that could dramatically reduce, within a generation, much of the poverty and vast inequity that exists. Besides, we say that the children are the future of the nation. How then are we securing that future?

Respond to tax amnesty

If we all pay, and pay over, the taxes, we could fund universal elementary education with maximum assistance to those in need and with significant change left over in the coffers. This column, therefore, unreservedly encourages every citizen to respond to the tax amnesty. Correspondingly, we urge the tax authorities to create a customer friendly environment even as they seek to "get tough" on delinquents in keeping with the imperative of building, 'a kinder, gentler, society'.

Perhaps we should be contemplating a much broader amnesty at this time. Jamaica's problems are immense, requiring quantum leaps. Can there be an amnesty for offences such as: outstanding tickets for parking and other road traffic infractions, the possession of guns and dangerous weapons? We should also consider an amnesty for unsolved murders. Come in, confess your crime and the penalties will be significantly reduced.

Another issue worthy of consideration is whether some persons who are currently incarcerated, can be offered parole.

Furthermore, the relevant authorities ought to consider the possibility of issuing non custodial sentences for certain first time offences and certain non-violent crimes (We were deeply moved when a judge in the United States sentenced Mike Tyson to community service rather than send him to jail)

The framework should be established and, if necessary, enabling legislation enacted. Let us wipe the slate clean, ushering a "new beginning" for Jamaica. These are extraordinary times. Our responses should rise to that level!

The case of Detective Constable Carey Lyn-Sue presents us with a unique opportunity. He confessed to his crime and received what we consider just punishment. However, in the spirit of reconciliation, we urge consideration of a full pardon to this young man in acknowledgement of his courage and sheer decency in coming forward and admitting to what is an egregious crime in the first place.

Positive signal

This would send a positive signal to others in similar situations. It could be a first step toward "truth and reconciliation" and closure in so many areas of national life.

Some other adjustments are necessary as well. Can some of our motorists, especially public passenger and young male drivers, place the right foot on the brake - not the accelerator - when approaching stop signs, amber and red lights? Can't we place 'good' before 'morning'; and 'please' before 'hold'? Can we add: 'thank you' to 'fine'. And what of a polite response such as, "You are welcome" when told "thank you". Could we all, including the privileged young people, stand in the Carib cinema when the National Anthem is being played?

Can't we mount our demonstrations while respecting the right of others (sometimes in dire emergencies) to utilise public thoroughfares? Can't someone keep our under-age girls in schools and out of the maternity wards? Could managers and their employees be reminded that they are playing on and for the same team? Will the Parliament display the level of civility that all Jamaicans should aspire to? (You have tremendous influence over the rest of us.Millions of us voted in order to put 60 of you there the last time). And, will someone shout out loudly, for all to hear, that discipline and good order must be maintained in this society at all cost?

Kenneth Bingham is a consultant in human resource management. Martin Bingham is an economist. The father-son team may be reached at articles.newera@yahoo.com.