Too Much Nepotism and Favoritism in Jamaica

Matondo Mukulu says it best - there is too much nepotism and favoritism in Jamaica. While this behavior is rewarding to the "connected", it is one of the contributors to the countries' inability to mirror the successes that have been achieved by other Caribbean countries.  In fact, so many talented Jamaicans have migrated or will be migrating in the future since nepotism and favoritism have locked them out of gaining opportunities to live a quality life. So, as nepotism and favoritism dictate the progress, wealth, and power of some, the country will continue to lose bright young professionals such as Mr. Mukulu who are simply fed up with unethical, political and private entities that continue to support a "who know you" system.

Segregation of High School Students

Minister Ronald Thwaites’ statement on the high school placement of GSAT students ignited a long standing concern.  After many voiced their opposition against placing students at high schools in their communities, the Ministry of Education issued a statement to reassure that the standard placement procedures would continue except for those unassigned students. The ministry’s statement indicates that the easy way to deal with the matter is to continue the age old problem of segregating students in schools based on their intelligence and family income if applicable. There seems to be no solution that will allow all high schools to share in the enrollment of a wide cross section of different learning abilities within the student population. The unacceptable placement practices create continued success of students at schools that are deemed to be superior to other schools where high standards are not considered the norm. If we want all students to have an opportunity to succeed then a better solution is needed than relying on the current high school placement practices which continues to be a disservice to so many children.

ERICA'S EDGE: Fire some ministers Portia

Jamaican CPA Used Her Clients' IDs to Defraud IRS, Feds say

There is another disappointing outcome for a Jamaican who was well respected in South Florida Jamaican community. Pamela Watson, CPA was arrested on federal charges for using her tax business to file false tax returns and divert money into her personal accounts and, in so doing, she defrauded the government. She held the position of treasurer for The Jamaica Women of Florida until her name was removed from their website today. This news must not have been the best timing for JWOF since their inaugural women's conference is scheduled to take place tomorrow.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/crime/fl-accountant-tax-fraud-20150521-story.html

Don't Blame the Scammers - Blame Yourself!

Patria-Kaye Aarons wrote an article boasting on accomplishments that should dare not put her in the same category as Jamaican scammers. In the article, she mentioned that she was denied from drawing on her crowd funding resources since the administrators apparently thought her request was a scam.  So, she blames Jamaican scammers for the unexpected decision. However, did Jamaican scammers’ reputation influence that decision or did the decision makers scrutinize the request of an easily replicated entity which shows intentions for personal gains rather than to be of service to the needy? Is the purpose of crowd funding resources to accommodate business start-ups or is it expected to provide an outlet for those who have suffered unfortunate setbacks which have affected the quality of their lives?  Whatever the perceptions of crowd funding, it is good to know that the administrators will investigate requests and refund donations if the outcomes determine that funding should not be paid out. 

Voters Have No Options

Throughout the years, new political third  parties were established to provide Jamaicans with an alternative to the longstanding incidents of incompetence and corrupt practices of the two existing parties.  These third political parties included members with different philosophical views to address the issues of the country that have been overlooked for far too long by career politicians. However, the closed minds of voters have prevented their own willingness to embrace a third political party. This notion that there can only be two political parties in Jamaica has now returned to haunt a country that is presently going through a period with their backs against the wall. Jamaicans have no choice whenever an election is called but to select the party with an absent leader who is unresponsive to critical issues within the country and also has turned a blind eye to the immoral practices of government members. Or, Jamaicans must choose a party with a leader who has been dealing with ongoing leadership challenges and discontent with party members.  Voters are caught between a rock and a hard place primarily as a result of continued poor voting habits that have deterred possible candidates with different political views from forming a third political party so as to compete with a dysfunctional two party political system.

Doctors Wearing Garbage Bags In Surgery??!!

Say it isn't so! On the Cliff Hughes' Online radio program, he played a tape of a speech from a doctor, I believe it was Dr. Alfred Dawes, President of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association. Dr. Dawes mentioned that there are no surgical smocks available, so doctors have to wear garbage bags instead. He further mentioned that on a recent occasion, the garbage bag he wore apparently tore while he was performing surgery and the patient's blood seeped onto his undergarments. How could doctors not have proper protective wear to perform surgery in a country where millions of dollars were recently dished out on infrastructure to impress the visiting President Obama? But, then again, Dr. Dawes confirmed that pilfering of medical supplies for use at a doctor's private practice office is quite common. There is never a dull moment in Jamaica!