Youth Parliament can trigger change

THE EDITOR, Sir: THE MOVE to resurrect the National Youth Parliament of Jamaica, where young people like me can gain valuable political experience and participate in policymaking and governance, is a bold move towards reforming the political landscape. I am beaming with pride.

But more needs to be done! Youth leader Keadar Sharpe recently urged the Parliament to move to “kill that ugly dragon called crime and violence”. I want to follow Mr Sharpe’s allegorical waggishness and make my own call for a political change. Retire the old dinosaurs who have laid siege to Parliament and governance of our country for years.

It is time to establish term limits for the prime minister, members of parliament, and local representatives. It is time to make changes to how senators are appointed. Instead of being selected along party lines and serving the interests of party, senators should be directly elected by the people.

PROPER INVESTMENTS

It is time to stop the politics of handouts, curry goat, and white rum and Pepsi. We need to invest taxpayers’ money in infrastructure and sustainable community development. It is time for our local authorities to be held accountable for the proper use or misuse of the country’s limited resources.

The Youth Parliament initiative will be a waste of time if we maintain the status quo. We need to ensure that the country’s brightest and best don’t leave to serve others, never to return because the old dinosaurs are preventing growth and advancement.

We millennials have a lot to offer. Just give us the chance! The future of our country depends on it. MARIO THOMAS Master’s Student Yale University