Originally Posted by Islandman
Don1, give me a better idea of what you would be looking for in this kind of social contract. A commitment to build/improve schools? new public housing? new social services in the depressed communities?
Something on the level of the Great Society that President Johnson laid out in the US in the 60s?
Recognizing that poor social relations are our biggest impediment to progress:
GOJ or some independent commission should develop a STRATEGIC plan to move the country forward in important sectors and associated tactical plans to give effect to it.. concentrating on education, dismantling garrisons one by one and immediately replacing/upgrading the social, economic and infrastructural elements in these communities with comprehensive but smart investment.... one can't just root out criminals from these places... we breed them like rabbits and a new set will take over... so something must replace them on an economic & social level. (that this does not happen with crime plans.. is a primary reason for their failure).
That plan must be presented to all important stakeholders in the country:
All political parties
All unions
civil society and non-governmental groups
reps from depressed communities- urban and rural
private sector
Lock them up in a room with an independent honest broker/elder statesman leading... with instructions not to come out before they have a consensus agreement on some form of that plan signed by all who will sign.
Importantly... televise the proceedings to discourage/expose posturing and stupidity.
Present that plan to the nation as our solemn roadmap to progress and have an independent executive agency with reps from those same sectors oversee putting it into action with proper accountability.
Dedicate/encumber by law (requiring bi-partisan approval to revoke/change.. is that possible?... maybe not )PetroCaribe funds for this effort over 10 years... say US$300m/year more to education, vocational and job training, community social development and slum/squatter upgrading.
After 10 years and US$3b wisely spent mainly on education/training and community development.. we will have a shot at a better society and sustained growth.
spent all of 10 mins on this post and no response from islandman? not ah backside!
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