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Political parties not above criticism
Rev Raulston Nembhard
Friday, June 15, 2007
The growth of political parties is one of the most important developments of democratic governance. They are not mere vehicles to political power, but are important instruments where the hopes and aspirations of citizens are articulated and given expression in practical terms when a particular party forms the government of the day. In this regard, they are given tremendous powers over people's lives, and as we know in Jamaica, powers that make the ordinary politician take on to himself or herself divine qualities.
It is essential to good governance that these parties be subject to public scrutiny If Jefferson's assumption is correct that governments are elected to serve the best interests of the people, then it must be assumed that the people must take more than a passing interest in the parties that get elected to rule over them. It is in this context that this writer has been persistent in his criticism of the present administration even when he has been told to leave PNP business alone.
Those in the PNP and JLP must realise that as political parties commending themselves as potential rulers of the people, what goes on in their respective parties is not their business alone but is of great importance to the people they wish to govern. This becomes even more important when they form the government of the day. They are being given the privilege by the people to exercise great powers over their lives. As such, they are expected to behave as servants of the people and not their masters. It is interesting to see the humility of politicians when they are seeking power from the people and the arrogance that takes over once they become the government of the day. It is left to the people and the people alone to remind them of their servant status.
This is why it is refreshing to see what is happening in the South-East St Ann constituency in the refusal of the constituents to be sidelined in determining who should represent them in Parliament. The matter is not about Ms Lisa Hanna, her beauty or intelligence to represent the people. The principle that is at stake, and what the party seems reluctant to acknowledge, is that in a democracy the people have a right in choosing who should represent them.
It is reprehensible to ignore their views and to foist someone on them of whom they do not approve.
It is not only in St Ann that there is disquiet. I happen to know that there is still some concern in the North-East St Elizabeth constituency where Mr Len Blake was sidelined for Mr Norman Horne. I suspect for the same reason that all cannot be well in Central Westmoreland where Mr Clarke was unceremoniously foisted on the constituents there. I know that I will be told to leave PNP business alone, but for an outsider looking in, what is happening to the party of Norman Manley is appalling. The proud traditions of democracy that once informed its ethos are being dethroned and are being replaced by a crude, pathetic totalitarianism that is inimical to its founding principles. The rot really started with his son Michael with his sloppy introduction of Democratic Socialism, but it has been exacerbated by Patterson and of late the present prime minister. While Mrs Simpson Miller trumpets her humble beginnings, she is demonstrating bullheaded stupidity that is bound to do the party great harm.
If she is brave enough to admit it she would admit that all is not well in the party. There are still gaping wounds to be healed after her bruising struggle to the top job in the party.
As she has discovered, political wounds do not heal easily. It takes a great deal of diplomacy and humility to assuage hurt egos and a strong foot to kick butt when this is required. Her spinners will not tell her how she can do this. Mr Donald Buchanan, her general secretary, is beginning to sound like Joseph Goebbels towards the end of the Third Reich. He needs to ease up on the propaganda. Jamaican people are not fools. However, he and the rest who think like him are along for the ride, but in what direction?
If it is a direction that will result in the further rape of the people's patrimony, this must be vigorously resisted. I have said repeatedly that one of the sadder aspects of the tribal psychology that drives our political parties is the failure to draw a line of demarcation as to where the interests of the political party end and those of the people of Jamaica begin, when the party gains political power. The accession of the party to power now means that the resources of the country must now be put to the disposal of the political party and its adherents. It is disturbing the feeling of entitlement that political hacks harbour as to their rights to the people's resources. These resources are not seen as means by which the prosperity of the people can be advanced, but to further the interest of the political party. Ultimately the interest to be served is the perpetuation and preservation of power. This must be resisted at all costs.
stead6655@aol.com
Rev Raulston Nembhard
Friday, June 15, 2007
The growth of political parties is one of the most important developments of democratic governance. They are not mere vehicles to political power, but are important instruments where the hopes and aspirations of citizens are articulated and given expression in practical terms when a particular party forms the government of the day. In this regard, they are given tremendous powers over people's lives, and as we know in Jamaica, powers that make the ordinary politician take on to himself or herself divine qualities.
It is essential to good governance that these parties be subject to public scrutiny If Jefferson's assumption is correct that governments are elected to serve the best interests of the people, then it must be assumed that the people must take more than a passing interest in the parties that get elected to rule over them. It is in this context that this writer has been persistent in his criticism of the present administration even when he has been told to leave PNP business alone.
Those in the PNP and JLP must realise that as political parties commending themselves as potential rulers of the people, what goes on in their respective parties is not their business alone but is of great importance to the people they wish to govern. This becomes even more important when they form the government of the day. They are being given the privilege by the people to exercise great powers over their lives. As such, they are expected to behave as servants of the people and not their masters. It is interesting to see the humility of politicians when they are seeking power from the people and the arrogance that takes over once they become the government of the day. It is left to the people and the people alone to remind them of their servant status.
This is why it is refreshing to see what is happening in the South-East St Ann constituency in the refusal of the constituents to be sidelined in determining who should represent them in Parliament. The matter is not about Ms Lisa Hanna, her beauty or intelligence to represent the people. The principle that is at stake, and what the party seems reluctant to acknowledge, is that in a democracy the people have a right in choosing who should represent them.
It is reprehensible to ignore their views and to foist someone on them of whom they do not approve.
It is not only in St Ann that there is disquiet. I happen to know that there is still some concern in the North-East St Elizabeth constituency where Mr Len Blake was sidelined for Mr Norman Horne. I suspect for the same reason that all cannot be well in Central Westmoreland where Mr Clarke was unceremoniously foisted on the constituents there. I know that I will be told to leave PNP business alone, but for an outsider looking in, what is happening to the party of Norman Manley is appalling. The proud traditions of democracy that once informed its ethos are being dethroned and are being replaced by a crude, pathetic totalitarianism that is inimical to its founding principles. The rot really started with his son Michael with his sloppy introduction of Democratic Socialism, but it has been exacerbated by Patterson and of late the present prime minister. While Mrs Simpson Miller trumpets her humble beginnings, she is demonstrating bullheaded stupidity that is bound to do the party great harm.
If she is brave enough to admit it she would admit that all is not well in the party. There are still gaping wounds to be healed after her bruising struggle to the top job in the party.
As she has discovered, political wounds do not heal easily. It takes a great deal of diplomacy and humility to assuage hurt egos and a strong foot to kick butt when this is required. Her spinners will not tell her how she can do this. Mr Donald Buchanan, her general secretary, is beginning to sound like Joseph Goebbels towards the end of the Third Reich. He needs to ease up on the propaganda. Jamaican people are not fools. However, he and the rest who think like him are along for the ride, but in what direction?
If it is a direction that will result in the further rape of the people's patrimony, this must be vigorously resisted. I have said repeatedly that one of the sadder aspects of the tribal psychology that drives our political parties is the failure to draw a line of demarcation as to where the interests of the political party end and those of the people of Jamaica begin, when the party gains political power. The accession of the party to power now means that the resources of the country must now be put to the disposal of the political party and its adherents. It is disturbing the feeling of entitlement that political hacks harbour as to their rights to the people's resources. These resources are not seen as means by which the prosperity of the people can be advanced, but to further the interest of the political party. Ultimately the interest to be served is the perpetuation and preservation of power. This must be resisted at all costs.
stead6655@aol.com