One of the primary problems facing Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is the cult of fanatical followers she has inspired. While this is understandable given her tremendous popular appeal, the negative side is that every criticism is perceived as a personal attack on Jamaica’s first woman Prime Minister by elitists who turn up their noses at her humble background and are determined to bring her down. As a result, many of her followers seem incapable of objective analysis of her pros and cons.
One can only hope that there is at least one person in the room with her who will stick up a hand to say when she is going wrong, but I’m starting to seriously doubt it.
A perfect example is the Prime Minister’s recent national broadcast. At a time of great uncertainty for the Jamaican economy, at a time when the whispers in the corridors of finance and business are that the year ahead will be very difficult for the country, at a time when Jamaicans are unsure what to expect from an IMF agreement, or what to expect if there is no agreement, the Prime Minister steered clear of actually talking about any of the real problems facing the country.
Sometimes it takes an outsider to point out what should be obvious to us all, and the Chicago Tribune for some reason, has now chosen to hold up Jamaica to the world as an example of failed policies and a dismal economic outlook, saying Jamaica provides an object lesson in
“the catastrophic effects of borrowing way too much, and the painful choices that follow. This saga, less familiar than Greece’s, is a lesson for lawmakers in the U.S. and elsewhere.”
“The Caribbean nation actually is in worse financial shape than Greece: Jamaica has more debt in relation to the size of its economy than any other
country. It pays more in interest than any other country. It has tried to restructure its loans to stretch them out over more years, at lower interest rates, with no success. Such a move would be risky for its already nervous lenders. So Jamaica is trying to wangle a bailout from a skeptical International Monetary Fund. Another deadline for a potential deal just came and went last week, though negotiations continue,” it goes on.
That’s the reality the Prime Minister seems determined to ignore. What Jamaica needs is not Pollyanna-type platitudes, and an exhortation that
“Our ancestors did not fight so gallantly; did not shed their blood for us to now capitulate to gloom and doom. No. We know, as Jimmy Cliff assured us, that we can get it if we really want. All we have to do is to try, try and try, and we will succeed at last.”
No, what Jamaica needs now is a hard, realistic look at our current situation, and a courageous start to the necessary conversation the country needs to have.
Maybe someone in the room could point that out to the Prime Minister the next time she and her people are crafting a national broadcast.
News and Views by Dionne Jackson Miller 
January 8, 2013 at 8:56 am
Once again there is a parallel with the politics of Jamaica and those of the US. We also have a serious borrowing problem, and any criticism of President Obama’s policies is greeted by charges of racism. Will it take a sunk ship to bring out the lifeboats?
January 8, 2013 at 9:53 am
Its good to see outside opinions being levied on Jamaican affairs and we need to take these in check as that is how the world sees us. Jamaica still has the potential to be great, its up to the members of this country to realize that we need to stop looking up to these leaders who look out for themselves and do not realize that they are working for us.
January 8, 2013 at 10:03 am
I wish we would trust our electorate to tell them the truth and work towards a solution. One of the issues I have had is that we are being held at ransom as if we can’t understand the issues. People have become sophisticated and have access to information which makes them able to analyse certain issues. As for the tribal behaviour, that is unreal in 2012.
January 8, 2013 at 10:30 am
i believe Dionne’s analysis on the situation was well thought out and founded
January 8, 2013 at 11:15 am
Listen I will take the stand, all leaders, political and private, are feeding us the kool-aid of denial. they have been doing this for sometime, and happily we drink it, because it blinds us from the truth. Whats the truth??, that they don’t care, and you are right Dionne, my parent suffer from that same blindness of the “tribalistic” politics. I don’t have much hope for our people, we still suffer from our 9 day wonder mentality. what of the light-bulb sandal, the Al Miller aiding a fugitive debacle, Student Loans crisis and the tons of fraud, corruption and theft charges placed at the countries feet. The Tax amnesty 200 tickets for one man, yet he is still driving and gov’t claim to improve the ticketing system (and it cost money) years ago. I have no hope, and I am close to the center, I am not playing politics, this is my home, I have nowhere else to go. How many policy makers and leaders can say(and have us believe) that. When we final acquire that grand title of “FAIL STATE”(50 yrs in the making mind you, we have really put our shoulders to the wheel to get there) lets see who will be the first to run, who are the ones who are making foreign investments, who are the one who despite whatever happen still on the back of the country, herald that their status in society must maintain the same…..
January 8, 2013 at 1:09 pm
It is a sad situation and from personally having to handle Portia in the past when she was PM I can honestly say that it was a difficult task…she has her own way and style and noone apart from a few can advise her what to do…I don’t expect that if the country should survive her tenure that we will be in a better position….To me there may be many incidents of civil unrest at some point when the people cannot take anymore…
January 8, 2013 at 3:38 pm
I think it’s a bit of a myth that Jamaicans have become more “sophisticated.” If that is the case, why did we vote in a populist leader with no clear agenda just over a year ago? But Jamaicans DO expect more from their leaders. I agree with Dionne: the Prime Minister studiously avoided mention of all the issues the public WANTED to hear about – especially the IMF. Jamaicans don’t want the platitudes, as Mr. Holness rightly called them, and a quote from Jimmy Cliff (who has not lived in Jamaica for decades now, ironically!)
January 8, 2013 at 5:11 pm
did Portia really quote Jimmy Cliff??? Seriously? I cannot with that woman. Who signed off on this speech???
I was “less than enthused” when Portia and the PNP won but I was still happy and proud of Portia and her accomplishments as a politician and female. BUT THIS RIGHT HERE!!! In a few months Portia has tarnished her entire political career. When it counts the most she’s woefully underperforming. Stewps! Girl bye!
January 8, 2013 at 8:16 pm
I continue to hold on to the hope that PSM knows & isn’t saying. My grip is weakening though; I’m now hearing a soft, insistent voice telling me that she may well not have a clue. The PM’s speech was appallingly banal, at a time when we need facts, hardcore facts. What, when, where, how, why.
There are some messages that should only come from the leader and the message was in fact a consolidation of reports that should rightfully have come from each minister, not from the prime minister. Then again, perhaps as an educated, middle-class Jamaican, I was not a part of her target audience. I have news for you Madam PM, that message could not have been aimed at any well thinking Jamaican and there was absolutely nothing in it for the business community.
January 8, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Simple statement “We can insure almost anything but bad management”. Taking a page out of FINSAC “Eagle and Century, when they failed gov’t stepped in saying the people of Jamaica and Investors need to be protected. The companies management was removed and a new team placed, there was even investigations done on how money was spent…hmmmm. These politicians with no vision and constantly squandering money need to be FINSAC’ed.
Seriously an excuse for buying high priced vehicles is that some people have given up lucrative jobs in the private sector to serve the country and must not be worse off regardless of the financial condition of the country, and we accept this….hmmmm
Left up to me, not one politician leaves this country when the bottoms drops out. Demand more, Fight back
January 8, 2013 at 9:16 pm
Master chief you are a failure, you sneak out of this country for five days and didn’t even have the common courtesy to say it to the nation and you were chosen to be master and chief, maybe you honestly don’t know your responsibilities.
You were given honorary degrees and you didn’t realize that the speech given to you was like given you a ” buller” to eat with your name engraved on it and you didn’t even see it.
As a Jamaican I expected you to tell the nation the way you will lead this country on wards but you fail measurable, you were not even smart enough to realize that you were spewing nothing but false hope to the nation and the world in general, I guess it’s talk n talk n talk.
January 8, 2013 at 10:21 pm
I find it interesting that the previous govt attempted to get the people of this nation to recognise the abyss before us, I must admit their high handed approach did not help, however those who thirst for political power and advocated for a change of government used the prevailing economic situation to their advantages. Shrouding this reality …don’t get me wrong this is not about the attainment of power for me or it’s retention … this is about using the truth within the corridors of politics as a vessel to be used to keep us shackled. The opposition then, knew the realities just as this opposition now do, and yet still they continue this game with our lives.
How can the attainment of state power be so much more important than the lives and well being of the people of this nation. The problem is well known for years now …and yet still both political parties has maintained the “run with it syndrome”. we have a very strong and vibrant informal/underground economy thus a lot of us only interest is nestled in their selfish desires for wealth. Thus they ignore the storm that is brewing. i weep silently for this country because if this storm hits …lord have mercy on our souls.
January 9, 2013 at 8:42 pm
well said Bobby, well said.
January 9, 2013 at 9:05 am
It is glaringly obvious that that our PM does not have a clue and those around her must be aware of this fact, but none are brave enough to be honest with her. Truly sad state of affairs.
January 10, 2013 at 6:53 am
sad. It is truly unfortunate that with a fairly healthy mandate given the strong hold on central and local government and a fair amount of fraternal relations with civil society, media and the trade unions and a Populist Prime Minister undoubtedly eager to leave a proud legacy; the government continues to drag its feet on taking the bold actions required to reset the Jamaican economy and very much our way of life.
January 10, 2013 at 9:38 am
Also note that we are speaking about our “Entire” political system. This failing of the current administration must not be used as fodder for the Opposition……..i am tired of the idea of choosing the lesser of the two evils. A total revamp of political practices of all “parties” involved. We are no longer to playing political field for the NDM,JLP or PNP , we are Jamaicans…………..”Demand more………expect better”
January 11, 2013 at 5:58 pm
You would admit though that choosing the lesser of two evils is always the rational thing to do. Yes, change is necessary but if the opposition is the lesser of two evils, that is a very big selling point wouldn’t you agree?
January 10, 2013 at 9:02 pm
It is a dangerous thing when a leader can stand up and openly admit that they actively place filters between themselves and “negative” criticism particularly on the basis that they regard negative criticism as coming from people who by their standards have achieved nothing. What is the standard for negative, for achievement? Is it simply anything that doesn’t go lockstep with your vision? It is also a bit funny that any politician even the PM can use achievement as a starting point for discussions. In the run up to the elections the people asked for job descriptions and resumes, what were we told? I have never tried to hide my disdain for many of our leaders on both sides of the isle, what took place recently has nothing to do with politics or party. Just a basic lack of respect for the people of Jamaica by the one person who should be most respectful (what did we trade arrogance for?) To add insult to injury a day after, the same person is back to their fiery self proudly declaring that those who criticize them (and the numbers have swollen) are either party hacks or have no basis to do so. Which comes back to the earlier point that when leaders surround themselves with brown-nosers and supporters they only distance themselves from reality and we can see that being played out in Syria. Had this not been the case there was no way that the PM could make a national address leaving out the exact issues that the public wanted clarification on or even showing that you you have a sense of what is going on but time was spent to pad the speech with bible stories and song lyrics. The question is how long will we allow those who serve us to tell us they are not accountable to us.