The second coming of Mrs Portia Simpson Miller

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Large numbers of Jamaicans believe that God raises up leaders and takes them down. It is clear that when Mrs Portia Simpson Miller was booted out of office in September 2007, God was not finished with her yet.

We don't see it as mere coincidence that Mrs Simpson Miller has been chosen as prime minister at a time when Jamaica is about to embark on the next 50 years of political Independence. It is perhaps divine providence.

The People's National Party (PNP), one of the two great political movements here, fought strenuously and provided the vision for national Independence from Britain which Jamaica attained on August 6, 1962. But it was to the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP's) Sir Alexander Bustamante that the mantle of leading Jamaica into the new era of nationhood fell.

The second half of the century of Independence begins this year, and this time the mantle of leadership is passed to Mrs Simpson Miller, the first woman prime minister of Jamaica. If nothing else is clear, it is awesomely obvious that the Jamaican electorate had no doubt whom it wanted at the helm, after that massive 42-21 result to the PNP in the December 29, 2011 parliamentary election.

As Mrs Simpson Miller is about to be sworn in for a second time, we believe that every single Jamaican has a vested interest in her success. Because that success would not be hers alone, but the nation's. Conversely, her failure would be ours as well.

The leader of the JLP, Mr Andrew Holness, gave notice that the campaign for the next general election would begin the day after December 29. This cannot be. What needs to begin right now is the rebuilding of the Jamaican nation. Perhaps Mr Holness was speaking in the throes of a painful election defeat and so can be forgiven. But the elections are over and the task of fashioning the Jamaica we seek must begin in great earnest.

Mrs Simpson Miller will need the guiding hand of God and the support of the people as she crafts the new Government. Her ability to select the most able and suitable persons to her Cabinet will largely determine the efficiacy of the Government she will lead. There is very little, if any, room for missteps.

We have said in this space that consensus is emerging about our economic predicament and the way out of it. We have also suggested that the Jamaican electorate is maturing at a fast pace. These are great values that if we bring to the business of running this country will get us to the place we seek to be.

No one needs to be lectured on the fact that our destiny is in our own hands. Wherever Jamaica goes now depends on us. Our great traditional friends, particularly the United States and Europe, are fighting for their own survival in this stubborn recession. Even if they wanted to help, there is not much they could do. Jamaicans have to unite more than ever before and work together to fix our problems.

It cannot be beyond us to put politics on the back burner, at least for this year, as we celebrate our nationalism. Let us look to the well-being of our people in everything we do, in every decision we take, in every plan we design, whether we voted PNP or JLP.

In this regard, we are pleased to note the growing stature and maturity of our leader, which no doubt contributed immensely to her election for a second stint.

May God be with her as she fashions a Government for all the people of Jamaica.

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COMMENTS (15)

GOD IS MY STRENGTH - GOD IS STILL ALIVE
1/5/2012

GOD IS STILL ALIVE
GOD DOES INTERVENE IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN IF WE ASK AND LET HIM...
Are you aware of these places :
(a) CALI, COLUMBIA
(B) THE COUNTRY OF FIJI
JAMAICA ALLOW GOD TO COME TO TOWN AND TRANSFORM THIS COUNTRY - JAMAICA NEEDS IT NOW!!!
ARISE INTERCESSORS AND LEADERS AND LET THE POWER OF GOD TRANSFORM THE COUNTRY AND SILENCE THE ENEMY
Check this out -
(1)http://swanssoundsofsalvation.wordpress.com/2008/02/06/transformation-video-by-transform-nations-med
INTERCESSORS ARISE ANA

blog dis
1/4/2012

Congrats again to Sister P but Editor please remember PNP win is due in part that they have been campaigning (in some form) since 2007.The PNP wrote the political strategy handbook (mebbe the JLP needs to beg a copy out of it)
P.S This Messiah culture is probably why we are where we are as a country in 50 years so mebbe we should try a different approach for the next 50 yrs you know like a person is human but we will hold them accountable ....

Noel Richards
1/4/2012

Using religion to explain PSM as PM is lazy. Nothing has changed. Look at the cadre that will make up her Cabinet, it's recycled from the last fling. Good luck to all Jamaicans, you're in for a world of hurt.
Glencore, JAMALCO, Trafigura, Goodworks Int'l, Mirant, JPSCo, Petrocaribe, Petrojam, LNG, pet coke etc. It would be nice to tell you how these all interrelate, but I suspect that you don't really want to know anyway, the "cult of personality" reigns supreme in Jamaica.

Beresford Davidson
1/4/2012

The PNP was always campaigning in and out of government; that's what brought our economy to its knees, starting from Michael Manley in the 70s that contributed to more negatives than growth, then there was the tussle between P.J., and Manley and Bruce and Seaga (where Seaga went public putting down Bruce) where Portia benefited and poor Andrew suffered. Bruce done a good job keeping the system on rail despite what all may say. Give Bruce his credit that is due.

N Manley Blythe
1/4/2012

@ wanda woeman,
Your shock is duly noted. I too was pleasantly surprised until the niggling thought crept in that it is a subtle if not overt play on Sister P's previous walk with the almighty. Sister P has steered the JEEP clear of that route but the Editor it seems will have none of it...lol...
Hopefully it was not the Editor's intent to invoke the memory of a bible-thumping warrior but a meaningful attempt at well-wishing. I shall remain positive and give the Editor the benefit of the doubt.

fall mouth
1/4/2012

It is very important that we pass these anti-corruption laws and give them teeth. We are sick and tired of corrupt officials, who just walk away laughing.
Their freedom and what they accumulate in the process must be taken away.
Kickbacks must be high on the list, very high..

howie J
1/4/2012

Most people are seriously confused about Christianity. Neither Jamaica nor the Church should be confused for the Israel. God no longer uses prophets, raises up leaders, requires animal sacrifices, or requires gentiles to keep the Sabbath as he did with Israel under the dispensation of law [Hebrews 1v1 (KJV)].
The bible tells us that God has already given us everything pertaining to life for our survival here on earth [2 Peter 1v 3 (KJV)]. Life is what we make it.
The argument that God has appointed political leaders is not scriptural
Portia Simpson-Miller was chosen by the people (including those who sold their votes as well as atheists) not God.

fall mouth
1/4/2012

Get over the bitterness guys. After all this is your favorite newspapers.

2kool .
1/4/2012

Without the passing of the anti corruption legislation as set forth by Greg Christie all our talk and hard work will amount to nothing. Until we can prosecute corrupt officials all will be in vain. The prosecution of corrupt officials must be the campaign of our media this year.

Mary Green
1/4/2012

I am amazed that you would seek to draw the Almighty into the debacle that occurred on Dec. 29, What percentage of the Jamaican electorate voted? How can you make it seem that the election represent the voice of the majority most of whom did not cast a vote? the results show a rejection by the people of the 2 parties, whose die hard supporters, still wearing the green and orange shirts a week after the event, were the only people who went to the polls.Some victory for Portia the divinely sent !

tickyticky fish
1/4/2012

What is Sista P is going to do about the missing children of Jamaica?

Meat Head
1/4/2012

Most Jamaicans probably do believe God raises up leaders. And that may be one of our core problems, particularly if it means we prefer "intuitive" leaders over ones that are more fact-based. The fact is none of us really know anyone who has ever heard God speak - so listeners to Him could be either delusional or prone to be intuitive - to ignore facts when they make decisions. Hopefully Portia is none of these types of people.

John Christian
1/4/2012

I would prefer editorials to be Above this nonsense of"DIVINE DIRECTION...leave that to proffesional religionists....am i to believe that the Observer has seen GOD...please Focus on earthly matters...you are not Rev Phinn

larry smith
1/4/2012

sounded like the coming of the saver,i AM AMAZE when people uses god in the middle of their political views,how do you know that god has hands in choosing portia miller ?.GOD DOES NOT FAIL ,so if the jeep didnt made it in your area at the end of her rein,please dont blame god.we wait maybe she is sent by god.....

wanda woeman
1/4/2012

Talk about waiting for the other shoe to drop. I speed read waiting for the negative but it did not come AND THEN i READ 2 MORE TIMES AND STILL IT DID NOT COME.
WHAT A RESPONSIBLE EDITORIAL? In any govt there is always a lot to be critical about and we are sure this government will also have its fair share.
The criticisms should be reserved for those times.
The Observer still has the makings of a great newspaper and if they continue to remain objective then the Gleaner had better watch out.

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The second coming of Mrs Portia Simpson Miller