Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Jamaican Leadership

Is it a mystery the position we have found ourselves in as a country? In reference to a Jamaica Gleaner article published on the website, isn't it obvious why Jamaica has found herself in a rather precarious predicament? When Ministers of Government can unilaterally make conclusions that affect the entire population out of ignorance and a clear lack of regard for the well being of the country, it is an indictment not only on the Minister but the majority that is responsible for putting that Minister in office.

Minister of Industry and Commerce Anthony Hylton has passed remarks that suggest that the possibility of imports from Japan (mainly used motor vehicles) being exposed to nuclear radiation from the damaged Fukushima nuclear reactor is not of any significance and therefore does not warrant his Ministry paying the matter any further attention. It is comments such as this that really show where the loyalties of the minister lie. He continues to state that the issue of Jamaicans possibly coming into contact with hazardous radiation from Japanese used car import is not of "top priority" and any possible measure regardless how insignificant to safeguard the Jamaican population will cause the Japanese to feel their exports are facing "discrimination" from Jamaica. First off, the imports of which Mr. Hylton speaks are used/damaged motor vehicles and what will "spook" Japanese exporters is the fact that Jamaica will take measures to ensure the health and safety of its population. Judging from this, one can only be led to conclude a foreign country's perception of Jamaica's treatment of its garbage that we choose to import is more important than the health of Jamaicans - the majority of whom is the reason he has a job.

The Minister may have temporarily overlooked the fact that the population to which he is indebted (besides, he is guaranteed at least 60 months salary) should demand that he take steps to look out for its well-being. The economic development of a country that will do well and has been doing well with our without our imports is more important than that of our population - the one that guaranteed him a job. After all "Health is Wealth."

Nuclear Radiation is a proven mutagen and carcinogen. The Minister out of ignorance to that fact unilaterally thought it wise to not put measures in place to reduce our exposure to such possibilities by ignoring calls from some quarters for monitoring of imports from Japan just to not offend foreign nationals to whom he is not accountable. Had he taken the time to look at the facts and make an informed decision he would have been lauded and respected by many rather than be seen as ignorant, arrogant, uneducated and stupid. Apparently such distinctions mean nothing in Jamaicans. Members of the Jamaican population are largely ignorant to basic issues that they should be aware of to the benefit of the government. When the population is ignorant and undereducated, the population suffers from poor governance as seen in this case. "Idiots will always vote in idiots," in other words when the majority is uneducated that will reflect directly on the government of the country, members of the PNP need not feel proud of being voted into government. Our educated are in other countries, conclude from that what you may.

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