The parasites in this jubilee

By Errol Hewitt

"So justice is far from us and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness, for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. At midday, we stumble as if it were twilight, among the strong we are like the dead." - Isaiah 59: 9-10

Professor of philosophy at the University of Southern Maine, Jason Read, is quoted as saying, "People who dismiss the unemployed and dependent as 'parasites' fail to understand economics and parasitism. A successful parasite is one that is not recognised by the host, one that can makes its host work for it without appearing as a burden. Such is the ruling class in a capitalist society."

These are stark, sombre words with which many Jamaicans readily agree as Jamaica is definitely a capitalist society increasingly evidencing its classic culture and classes.

Yet the average citizen, having admitted that there is a 'ruling class', finds it difficult to identify many individually. In fact, it is not uncommon for members of the ruling class, beyond the recurring few in the media, to be referred to indistinctly as 'uptown elite' or 'ah dem control govahment and h'eviting'. Not too long ago, this 'ruling elite' was more usually referred to as the '21 families', and one notable segment of it as 'the five leading entrepreneurial families'.

This lack of visibility seems to be reinforced by the absence of an ostentatious lifestyle (so contrary to the braggadocio and even uncouth presentation of our newly or imagined rich) very few BMWs or Audis; jeans, rather than suits, etc. The 'ruling class' in Jamaica presents as a largely amorphous lot, perhaps better known individually in the Jamaican diaspora (especially by those involved in finance, real estate and investments) in North America, Europe and even, it is said, as far afield as in Hong Kong, rather than here at home in Jamaica.

THE RULING CLASS

Professor Read, when he speaks of the 'ruling class', is not, as the word 'ruling' might suggest, focused on politicians. Rather, he speaks of those folks in our midst at the peak of economic power whose influence those with the political power in Parliament and the political parties find extremely difficult to resist or ignore.

The ruling class is an elite tier in the upper class, whose position and wealth are believed to have mostly, but not entirely, been initiated during the period of, and reinforced by, colonialism and largely at the expense of the masses.

Far from being seen as parasitic, the ruling class, with its seemingly generous donations to charities and an impressive share of OJs, presents itself as virtuous, Jamaica's rock of stability and integrity.

They are eagerly embraced by the governing class, i.e., largely the politicians and those immediately around them - the people's representatives whose choice seems to be to ape the colonialists they succeeded rather than in remembering the bowels from which they came.

It is true that the ruling class in Jamaica has been aided and abetted in its security, continuity and success by the very active support of politicians. Importantly, they are seemingly automatically tolerated by the masses, seemingly without thought, an attitude perhaps inculcated during slavery.

In terms of this reciprocal partnership between the ruling and governing classes, Anthony Payne, in his 'Politics in Jamaica', underscores this reality when he comments: "International capitalism was seen in a utilitarian sense as a cow to be milked to the mutual advantage of both the business and governing elites." As such, he confirmed that Michael Manley's strategy of state involvement at the "commanding heights of the economy ... met with the full approval of the local capitalists". If these two sides won, who lost? Us!

The partnership which Payne refers to was evidently an already very tried and workable one which most Jamaicans would say has been, over the 50 years of Independence, made comfortable by both major political parties. This is further concretised by the inadequacy of key laws and policies framed by the governing class, many likely influenced in their drafting by the ruling class.

This mutual beneficial pact seems confirmed by the alacrity with which members of the ruling class (together with the political party faithful) have been appointed as government ministers or to statutory boards and to ambassadorships - the latter seemingly stultifying the future of career diplomatic officers and bastardising the ranks of the public service.

THE UNDERWORLD

Our situation as citizens becomes even more compromised and dangerous by the fact that criminal elements had emerged from the politically controlled inner cities. These, in time, outgrew the control of the politicians by their acquisition of vast wealth engendered by their involvement in the illicit international drug and weapons trade, a few creating international criminal empires.

This wealth was, reputedly, laundered through the creation of legitimate businesses and the procurement of real estate - the latter prolifically, resulting in substantial employment and a welfare network. But the undertone of the criminal class' financing of politicians and the election of political parties continued unrelentingly, accompanied only by silent shrieks for an increasingly threatened democracy and with it justice.

In all this, the criminal class with its substantial investment in the economy and the employment of people, seemed understandably sheltered, though this in no way fazed our powerful neighbour the United States which, galvanised to action by its own interest, extradited the confessed 'President' of an international criminal empire. (This single action is worthy of note for future heightened reference if our leaders' perceived partnership with criminals threatens US interests).

The closing down of the President's local legitimate businesses, the shutdown of the Ponzi schemes, increasing limitations on the ganja trade, added to the continuing dismantling of the local lotto criminal apparatus, have meant unemployment for substantial numbers, the end of the attendant welfare network and multiplying negative effects in our economy.

The perceived partnership between the ruling and governing classes has hobbled this country's and its people's ability to progress. The pages of this newspaper have, over the years, listed the social, political, economic and spiritual decline of our beloved country because of corruption and the determinations of successive governments.

While there might currently be only legitimate commercial contact (e.g. real estate, etc) between the criminal and the ruling classes, any real partnership between the two will mean the final and complete encirclement of our democracy and justice system, ushering in the formal beginning of chaos.

THE REALITY

In looking at where we go from here, it is necessary to point out that even if our politicians were to immediately change for the better, as Paul did on the road to Damascus, the single tool of government, the public sector, has been allowed to deteriorate from its noble beginnings to a stagnant mediocrity, which will require both time and a government of character to change for the better.

Yet, like it or not, our hope for the future inescapably rests on a Parliament which is married to the ruling class, noted regrettably for its intense selfishness, boorish behaviour and a penchant to be long on rhetoric and short on action.

And to think how much our forefathers must have yearned for political Independence, thinking that in governing ourselves, more than half the battle for national development and the socio-economic advancement of our people would have been won.

But who wants to invest in a country whose leadership has presided over consistent underperformance and where our corrupt ('money under the table') and incestuous behaviour is so pervasive as to become a way of life? Despite its partnership with the governing class and the irony of it, how could anyone realistically ask our ruling class to repatriate investments to our shores when, initially, they might well have invested abroad because of these continuing concerns?

How can we as a nation expect consistent and appreciable socio-economic progress when our taxes are undermined by waivers, yet our leaders lack the compassion to ensure that ex-civil servants receive the pension due?

How can we expect to progress as a nation when our leaders allow our country to morph into one of insensible violence by criminal gangs, still perceived with political connections and feared for their gross intemperate brutishness?

THE RESULT

The result of all this has been missed opportunities and a suffocated economy evidencing discouraging returns on investments, a demoralised people, a still colonial education system, the migration of the young and talented, and citizens who lack pride and interest in civic and national affairs.

Surely, our leaders in the ruling and governing classes must, by now, have realised the deep-seated concern of all our people (at home and abroad) for the future of our country and the need for positive changes in their thinking and practices?

If in the governing class, i.e., the politicians and their parties, the required change of culture, character and commitment to country and the people's struggle does not occur - and occur soon - the unthinkable may occur and change may come suddenly and forcefully from below.

Can the Church, the body of Christ and on whose shoulders rests the governance of our people, rise from its self-imposed limitations and personal concerns and begin to truly fulfil its proper national role at this most critical time?

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God." - Psalm 42: 11

Errol Hewitt is an ICT consultant. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.