Train-wreck Jamaican Style

 http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/opinion/the-people-voted-for-hope-_203366?profile=1096

With all due respect to the Reverend writer, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I repeat, there was no 'resounding victory and mandate' from the people given to either or both parties as most of us have turned our backs on both parties by not voting. EXILED on YouTube seems to be the only media giving a voice to this silent majority. The people did not shout 'Keep your train chugging or repair your train and come back'. The only people taking those trains are rabid tribalists. What the majority of us are saying is that both trains are going in the wrong direction and we want a train going in the right direction. To stretch a metaphor, we keep replacing train drivers and crews ad nauseum but the train itself is heading for a trainwreck.

That being said, I agree with the Rev writer that 'Building the new Jamaica will demand first a demolishing of the negative elements and systems of the old, and re-lay the foundations to reset the course.' Problem is, the 'negative elements and systems' the Rev mentions are the political parties themselves! Are these same 'negative elements and systems' going to 'demolish' themselves? I don't think so. The demolishing is going to have to come from civil society: the church, the diaspora, everybody including the private sector which funds these 'negative elements'. 'Tough, honest and bold leadership is what it will need' is true. I do not see such leadership at present. What I see is the same ole same ole. Mr. Holness had a chance to get a new crew and a new train. Instead, he has surrounded himself with the same crew who have allegations of corruption, cronyism and nepotism among them. Mr. Holness now has near absolute power and you know the old saying about power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

'Holness has a nation filled with hope' Quite the opposite. The losing orange tribe is in despair. The only people filled with hope are the green trialists who now will have full access to the trough. The vast, silent majority is desperate. As soon as the embassies reopen, the lines to the exits will resume.

Raymond D. Grant
Research Director, EXILED
Canada Cell: (867) 445 - 2865

Immigrants, Migrant Workers and Refugees - Making the World a Better Place for All

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