Hard road for parliamentarians
Published:Monday | May 28, 2018 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
'Parliament poppy-show' by Daniel Thwaites under the Public Affairs column in The Sunday Gleaner dated May 27, 2018, left me befuddled at the stark reality of how our 'proper' political representatives who follow the rules of law and integrity must seek money to live and support their families from sources other than their inadequate compensation.
It was more depressing, as I was just recovering from my stupor, to hear on the 6 a.m. radio news about another lawyer charged for professional misconduct, to be closely followed by 20 more similar cases pending against prominent lawyers.
Here is our country's dilemma: Politicians are almost forced to get involved in schemes, too often shady or corrupt, to get more money to survive, yet on the other end of the spectrum, lawyers, who are usually fairly or well compensated, are delving into schemes to steal money.
We are bracketed by some policymakers and justice advocates who end up on the wrong side of the law, or the wrong side of the character spectrum of 'proper' high-integrity, high-road behaviour.
Evon Redman tells us that he took the decision to leave representational politics because he could not give 100 per cent to his business and his political career, and I wish him well in his business. That took courage, which we need more of today.
Do we have enough ladies and gentlemen who are interested in the development of our country and possess moral authority?
CUTHBERT LLOYD