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Money matters
published: Saturday | September 29, 2007
Heather Robinson
It is said that money is the root of all evil, and that it takes cash to care.
Recently, there has been much discussion about the appointment of a member of the private sector to the new Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Cabinet.
The discussions and talk appear to have ended after Minister Don Wehby decided that he would resign from GraceKennedy. However, during all these discussions very little was said about why it became necessary in the first place for Minister Wehby to decide to accept his employer's offer to top-up his ministerial salary to the level of his GraceKennedy position.
Many persons in the private sector are critical of the political process and what is involved in becoming an active part of that process. And there is a smaller group who do their 'little much' to assist elected governments by serving on boards or committees. Not many, however, have made the bold step of deciding to accept an appointment or, better yet, placing their names on a ballot. Not only are these possible candidates in fear of political life, but are totally unwilling - and in some cases unable - to give up their incomes from the private sector.
The question, therefore, is what can be done to attract more Don Wehbys who want to serve their country at the level of Minister and/or Member of Parliament?
Youth volunteers
Minister Wehby is reported as saying that he was getting calls from young entrepreneurs who want to volunteer. "Many of them have said that if anything comes up in the public sector I should let them know because they want to offer their services' (Jamaica Observer, September 26). It is my hope that Minister Wehby will be so satisfied with his new job that three things will happen at the end of his term in the Ministry of Finance.
First, he will be able to engage more young people in the political process, as he works to remove some of the phobias associated with the political life. Second, that his tenure will be successful to the point that he will want to take the next bold step, that of placing his name on a ballot and becoming a Member of Parliament. Finally, with his own experience he will be able to articulate and successfully convince Jamaica that Members of Parliament deserve a real living salary.
Money matters to all who have to send their children to school, and those who have to visit public health facilities. It will be interesting to watch, over the next few months, how the new government will implement all the promises that were made by their members during the election campaign.
It doesn't matter if newly sworn in ministers are suffering from amnesia. We have been told that there are tapes and DVDs to remind the ministers of their promises. And if indeed there really are genuine cases of amnesia, then one must try to remember that when one is hospitalised it is the nurse who provides hourly care.
Equip all his ministers
It will also take money to reduce the cost of energy to the Jamaican people, and when the promised removal of transfer tax and stamp duty is executed, we can only wonder where the money will come from to pay our nurses and police officers. My suggestion therefore, is that the Prime Minister should equip all his ministers with tape recorders so that they can quickly prove to him what was promised. This small expenditure will go a long way in tracking ministerial talk, as well as providing a method of determining who else is worthy of sitting at the prime minister's desk, if even for a few minutes.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
published: Saturday | September 29, 2007
Heather Robinson
It is said that money is the root of all evil, and that it takes cash to care.
Recently, there has been much discussion about the appointment of a member of the private sector to the new Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Cabinet.
The discussions and talk appear to have ended after Minister Don Wehby decided that he would resign from GraceKennedy. However, during all these discussions very little was said about why it became necessary in the first place for Minister Wehby to decide to accept his employer's offer to top-up his ministerial salary to the level of his GraceKennedy position.
Many persons in the private sector are critical of the political process and what is involved in becoming an active part of that process. And there is a smaller group who do their 'little much' to assist elected governments by serving on boards or committees. Not many, however, have made the bold step of deciding to accept an appointment or, better yet, placing their names on a ballot. Not only are these possible candidates in fear of political life, but are totally unwilling - and in some cases unable - to give up their incomes from the private sector.
The question, therefore, is what can be done to attract more Don Wehbys who want to serve their country at the level of Minister and/or Member of Parliament?
Youth volunteers
Minister Wehby is reported as saying that he was getting calls from young entrepreneurs who want to volunteer. "Many of them have said that if anything comes up in the public sector I should let them know because they want to offer their services' (Jamaica Observer, September 26). It is my hope that Minister Wehby will be so satisfied with his new job that three things will happen at the end of his term in the Ministry of Finance.
First, he will be able to engage more young people in the political process, as he works to remove some of the phobias associated with the political life. Second, that his tenure will be successful to the point that he will want to take the next bold step, that of placing his name on a ballot and becoming a Member of Parliament. Finally, with his own experience he will be able to articulate and successfully convince Jamaica that Members of Parliament deserve a real living salary.
Money matters to all who have to send their children to school, and those who have to visit public health facilities. It will be interesting to watch, over the next few months, how the new government will implement all the promises that were made by their members during the election campaign.
It doesn't matter if newly sworn in ministers are suffering from amnesia. We have been told that there are tapes and DVDs to remind the ministers of their promises. And if indeed there really are genuine cases of amnesia, then one must try to remember that when one is hospitalised it is the nurse who provides hourly care.
Equip all his ministers
It will also take money to reduce the cost of energy to the Jamaican people, and when the promised removal of transfer tax and stamp duty is executed, we can only wonder where the money will come from to pay our nurses and police officers. My suggestion therefore, is that the Prime Minister should equip all his ministers with tape recorders so that they can quickly prove to him what was promised. This small expenditure will go a long way in tracking ministerial talk, as well as providing a method of determining who else is worthy of sitting at the prime minister's desk, if even for a few minutes.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.