Act now to achieve Vision 2030
We the citizens of Jamaica would like to see vision 2030 become a reality. However, Vision 2030 is a reality that CANNOT and WILL NOT be achieved if our parliamentarians do not take those actions that are critical to its achievement. Here are some existing conditions that need to change if we are to achieve vision 2030. http://www.vision2030.gov.jm/Portals/0/NDP/A%20Vision%20for%20Jamaica.pdf 1. Indiscipline Indiscipline has now become engrained in our culture. Where indiscipline does not cost us economically, it robs us socially. For example; motorists who do not wait their turn and cause accidents, impose a cost of time on the victim in going through the process of making insurance claims or hefty costs to repair the damaged vehicle. Another example of indiscipline is when professionals turn up late for duties: on a visit to a health centre or courthouse one is likely to see scores of individuals waiting from as early as 6 am for a doctor or a judge who is unlikely to arrive before 10 am and will most definitely leave by 3 pm. Such actions rob citizens of valuable time. Another example of indiscipline is the disregard for proper town planning. In a developed society, developed areas must present a look that is uniform to an extent, and visually appealing. We the citizens demand that parliamentarians use the tool of legislation available to them to bring about social discipline. Laws, where they exist, must be made to work or be upgraded where necessary. This action is imperative to achieving outcomes number 3 and 5 of Vision 2030. 2. Social Irresponsibility Social irresponsibility, an undesirable counterpart of indiscipline, similarly brings real social and economic costs: Individuals who choose not to pay taxes or traffic ticket fines, for instance, rob us of valuable resources. A cost is imposed on the society by parents who do not exert control over their children, leaving them to form gangs or engage in criminal or socially unacceptable activities (remember Lee Boyd Malvo). Individuals who choose to procreate irresponsibly – bearing numerous children they can little afford – place a burden on public resources to provide for their basic needs. These individuals must be held accountable for their actions as such actions run counter to achievement of outcomes of Vision 2030 We the citizens demand that parliamentarians institute measures to curb social irresponsibility, holding irresponsible citizens accountable for their actions. If the responsibility we need cannot be had by moral suasion, (“Planning for two is the right thing to do”) then it MUST be had by legislation 3. Crime There is no place in a developed country for the high levels of crime we face as a people. It is not enough for the Police High Command to report that the number of major crimes has reduced “by 20 percent since 2009” when the numbers are already too high. We the citizens demand that parliamentarians institute laws to protect us from criminals and/or strengthen existing laws. This action is a must if we want to achieve outcomes 3 and 5 of Vision 2030. One of the factors that facilitate crime is the fact that many of the perpetrators of criminal activity are individuals virtually unknown to authorities. Such a situation is untenable in a developed society. We the citizens demand that every citizen born and living in this country and visitor to the island should be accounted for by way of registration or identification. Every citizen and visitor must be identifiable and must be able to provide proof of identification to the police on request. Another factor that facilitates crime is the fact that many criminal elements reside or hide themselves in areas that are difficult to police. Such a situation is resistant to development. We demand that such areas of the country be declared UNINHABITABLE. Citizens MUST NOT be allowed to construct dwellings in areas that are remote or that lack infrastructure for habitation. (Lime Cay comes to mind). Residents already living in areas that are difficult to police or that lack infrastructure can be given incentives to move to areas where such is available; but move they must. It is a known fact that the court management system as it is, is challenged in handling effectively the large volume of cases placed before it, and there are numerous contributing factors. I would be completely out of my depth to make any suggestions here but learned individuals within this area should be more than capable of devising solutions. We demand that responsible individuals working along with parliamentarians devise and implement solutions to the problems. 4. Irresponsible Parliament It is UNNACEPTABLE that when parliamentarians place their own interests above those of the citizens (purchasing 16 brand new SUVs depriving high priority areas of those funds, for instance and legislating a pension for former Prime Ministers equivalent to his last salary) they justify this action on the basis that their remuneration is below that of private sector counterparts. It is UNNACEPTABLE that a nation with such a difficult economic position is ranked 83 out of 174 countries on corruption – that this rating is not as bad as in previous years is no consolation. It is UNNACCEPTABLE that members of the political elite, whom we the citizens hold in high regard, are reckless and cavalier in their behaviour and speech in the public domain (the recent ‘shoot first’ comments of one mayor, and posts on social media website by another mayor and a minister are prime examples). It is UNNACEPTABLE that outwardly you commit to Vision 2030 yet refuse to or delay in taking those actions that are necessary to bring about its achievement. Like us citizens, parliamentarians love this country. We have placed in your hands the responsibility to bring about development and you have accepted it. We demand responsibility on the part of Parliamentarians, Ministers of Government and individuals with positions of responsibility. We demand that, by virtue of the trust that the citizens have placed in you to act, you place the interests of country above your own. WE DEMAND that you act now, 2030 is only 17 years away.
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