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Politicians Today



Whether it is Republican Representative Joe Wilson shouting “You Lie” at the President of the United States or K D Knight – a Jamaican Senator shouting “Stupid” across the isle in reference to Senator Dorothy Lightbourne the uncouth behaviour cannot go unseen. More than ever, our selected representatives at the highest levels all over the world are displaying immature behaviours which are irrepressible. People in general are passionate about politics. Believe it or not, while most citizens will ignore the developments, we cannot disregard how influential the decisions politicians make impact our lives. To this end, we can appreciate the passion and emotions that politicians have in discussing policies to govern countries.

If you watch the news on a regular basis or happen to peruse the many videos online with politicians acting crudely in their respective parliaments; you can conclude that this has become a shocking trend. They display behaviours where you can disrespect your colleague, shout insults at the opposition, walk out when you feel like, disrupt a speech all in the name of democracy and passion. It is an unpleasant trend that has been creeping in the midst of our politicians and it is becoming intolerable. It is unbearable because it goes against what we have grown accustomed to as decorum in whatever we say and do. Parliamentarians and Senators should act in a manner that is befitting role models. Our youth should not have to look in disgust and shame; we want our representatives to pursue excellence and lead by example.

The Senate with ten votes suspended KD Knight for his “rude, disrespectful and un-parliamentary behaviour”.  What I found alarming was that his Opposition colleagues voted in a manner that sanctioned his crude behaviour sending the wrong signal. What KD Knight did was uncouth, borderline sexist and the behaviours now displayed in parliament must be controlled. In Jamaica, we are fed on a daily diet of disrespectful acts and hostile actions. We have reached a state of saturation where we see the bad and think it is good enough. For two and a half years, we have watched KD Knight disrespect Senator Dorothy Lightbourne and many of us have turned a blind eye. I am disappointed that advocacy groups did not come out to express their repugnance of KD Knight’s ‘stupid’ remark. What will be the tipping point?