JAMONOMICS

Naomi Klein in her book ‘The Shock Doctrine: the Rise of Disaster Capitalism,’ chronicles throughout modern history how a leaders have often used crisis’ to push through unpopular legislation. From South America in the 1970’s through the dissolution of the USSR in the 1990’s and ending in the current era of the war in Iraq, it is evident that during turbulent times, when people are confused and are in need of direction, there is a window for strong and decisive action to take place. I urge Jamaicans during these times to hold the bar of accountability as high as it ahs ever been as opposed to lowering it in sympathy to the hard position our leaders have found themselves in.

Here in Jamaica, our world is tilting. Events in Tivoli and West Kingston as well as the greater metropolitan area are quickly dissolving the public's’ sense of reality. When students cannot get to school to do their examinations, and businesses cannot open; when people are constantly barraged with the sound of bullets flying through the air nearby, it is clear that our points of reference for reality are swiftly disappearing. We are entering a realm of suspended animation, a sort of twilight zone that is all too familiar to war torn areas such as Iraq and Palestine. Our Government has during this time stripped the public of their right to freedom of movement, as well as their habeas corpus rights. Mark Shields, the former deputy commissioner, has labeled the events unfolding in West Kingston as a war that must be continued and won. But by whose design and at what cost?

The Golding administration has been losing popularity with the public steadily. The worsening economic situation as well as this current fiasco with the extradition of duddus has placed calls on the PM to resign. Such calls are not unusual in history but when one places them in the context of unfolding events one has to wonder if this ‘war’ isn’t a tad bit convenient for the PM. History shows us that during a time of war, leaders regain popularity and tend to win elections. Is this the JLP’s war? Should we expect an election to be called soon? Will we forget the past in exchange for a promise of future action coupled with what seems to be bold action taking place now?

What else is interesting is that in the face of a difficult road ahead to passing the next IMF test, is it possible that the government will use these events to cover more drastic economic reform in a desperate attempt to qualify for our next US$100 million disbursement? Certainly desperate times call for desperate measures as our PM reiterated in Parliament yesterday, using similar rushed and unusual legislation in other countries to counter violent uprising as justification for his new agenda.

What we must do is pay attention to the action of our leaders. Now that they have taken away some of our rights, we should not allow them to take away our voice. We cannot give our leaders free pass to do as they wish, and it is now more than ever that we need accountability. So as we prepare for the Prime Minister’s onslaught of ‘new’ legislation, we must pay attention to the devil in the details. We want to know what will be in these ‘extraordinary legislation.’ The noticeable absence of mention of the anti-corruption bills during his speech today replaced by an unbalanced focus on anti-gang legislation was for me all too telling. We the people need to place the focus back on the politicians and corruption within government if action in West Kingston is to have any lasting impact. So I urge all Jamaicans to stay conscious in these weary times. I give my heart out to those who have lost loved ones and our security forces that have given their life. Let it not be in vain.

article written: 27th May 2010