Patriotic Jamaicans?

May be, just may be many of us Jamaicans think of ourselves as patriotic. But I question that number of patriotic Jamaicans when I look at the line at the US embassy on Old Hope Road. After 54 years of national pride I wish more Jamaicans could express their patriotism economically and not only emotionally on Independence Day. I don't think It's fair to ask persons to show patriotism when they don't own any land or even a stock unit of a Jamaican company. I wish more Jamaicans were 'financially independent' like what the country should be. If this JamRock, culture and language are our commonalties, I just feel more Jamaicans should be individually and collectively profiting from the assets of the land in some shape or form.  I don't think I am patriotic and I own pieces of Jamican companies (and very soon lands). A matter of fact, I know I am not patriotic.

Patriotism, according to Dictionary.com, is defined as

devoted love, support, and defense of one's country; national loyalty.

Being a patriot may also entail defending your country's interests. Would I defend Jamaica's Interests? I don't think Jamaica's politicians have done a very good job at that over the years since our independence. The loyalty and support for even my high school was very low compared to that of my colleagues. So since leaving high school, loyalty to country has been thoroughly considered.

Loyalty to country is a very misunderstood term. Some of us define country way different from the ruling minority. And the ruling minority I draw attention to is not only the 'high colour' ones we have grown accustomed to 'cussing' out, but also the 'never si come si' african descendants who have 'climbed the ladder' to riches and leadership. In light of the Olympics in Rio, which is one more proof how a country can betray its people and then turn around asking for support from the betrayed, I must say that the peak of Jamican patriotism will be portrayed and spoke of from August 6, till about a week after the ending of the olympics. So looking at a few definitions of the word country, I realized that I may have a little hope of some common sense in the little brain of mine. The common definition for country, or the definition which I believe 90% of Jamaicans actually mean when they speak, is one related to a nation. According to Oxford Dictionaries, a nation is

a large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular state or territory

Therefore, we define a country simply as the people of a district, state, or nation.
Other definitions include:

1. an area of land that has its own government, army, etc.
2. the land of a person's birth, residence, or citizens; a political state or nation or its territory

If we look at Jamaica's political system and the distrust the populace show in the government as well as governance of the people of the land, we can very much define the country as the voting public and the politicians.

However, with olympics in the air, we get a different feel of what and where is the country of Jamaica. When Bolt runs that 100m final we will say he is running for Jamaica. Even bolt will say he is running for Jamaica. But with fairness I relieve him of that task which is not a reality. Bolt runs because he wants to run. Bolt runs because he gets paid to run. Bolt runs because he gets paid to do something he loves to do and no one else does it as well as he does it. Bolt running for his country and defending his country's interests in Track and Field is secondary to his pay check.

You see, I question patriotism or loyalty to any cause because many persons make it a requirement for social acceptance, when this really doesn't have to be. It is the unrealistic country before self connotation, those in leadership require from we the 'sheep' of Jamaica, that I want to dispell. I say I am not patriotic because I know that given information and incentives for my benefit I will make decisions to progress myself first before benefitting my country. Anything I am loyal to, is just because I want to be loyal to it. Better said, I see and recieve benefit from being loyal to that cause.

I recently, heard of a Utech lecturer telling his students how everytime he saw a Carib Cement Truck passing he would stop his car get out and cheer on the driver. He told his students he did that because he knows that driver is helping Carib Cement to make his money work for him. Tears of joy fill his eyes and heart everytime he speaks of the Carib Cement massive share price increase he reaped a couple years a back. He showed interest in Carib Cement with his life savings (struggled to make ends meet for a while) and the Company paid him back with interest after a few years. Now he defends Carib Cement's interests. I will never die for my country because my country will never die for me. That is a cold hard fact- the physical land will never die for me, neither would the people. If I may, I can even question what will my country do for me, after I have done for it.

Naturally, humans are selfish for survival and only seem to be kind to others when they fully or start understanding that it is essential to survival or self preservation to LOOK OUT FOR OTHERS. As soon as one starts to expand his perception of self to include others his loyalty to himself will be beneficial to the group of people he is a part of. The group will eventually grow to the majority's view of a country. All our sports men and women, including embattled Chris Gayle and the 'Pocket Rocket', Shelly-Ann, (to name a few more of our wealthier athletes) perform on the world stage for their survival and advancement. They are Jamaican athletes/ sports persons because they were born in Jamaica. They represent other Jamaicans because they were born and raised in Jamaica like the rest of Jamaicans. Some Jamaican athletes 'rep' for us because they have Jamiacan heritage. Sometimes only one of their parents are Jamaicans. Its on that note, that I don't want anyone to ask me about my patriotism when they don't see me in my black, green and gold clad on JA's Independence Day. Yes. Don't beat around bush. Ask me "if I am loyal to you?"

The People's Interview

I would like our politicians to know that they are employed by the people.

 

There are ways and times for politicians to be interviewed for the job. Anyone who fails to present themselves at the interview does not deserve the job that we the people are offering. An interview is a process of assessment through conversation. And every time a politician speaks he/she is being assessed and re-assessed. However, the initial assessment before the job is the job interview. 

The points of assessment could include: 

1. Press conferences
2. Political rallies
3. Radio interviews
4. Presentation of manifesto
5. Political debates

Well it seems the best example for an interview of our top politicians in our present system of governance is the political debate. If there is no interview the people will not know what or who they are hiring. A debate also gives the people a chance to compare and contrast leadership qualities for the job at hand.

In an interview, the candidate is expected to present what he/she will offer to the job. As to the specific expectations the interviewers want for the job, each person can look for something different and make their decision. The final decision at the polls may be unfair for a candidate but that is life.It is also up to the people if they don't want a debate to interview their political candidates but whatever happens to their 'company' the people should be responsible. The people would be responsible for the poor performance of the 'company' because they are the owners of the company who did not exercise due diligence in the selection process of the right politician, a shareholder and manager charged with properly 'running the company'.

So after the interviews it's time for the people to make a decision. May be it is better to say voting public because so much of the Jamaicans have lost faith or didn't have any in the political process. A friend even asked me since week, "why am I not going to vote?" I simply answered that the present system of governance doesn't make sense to me. The philosophy of ruling with a government and with an opposition (aka counter government) is counter intuitive to progress. Our hard earned tax dollars are being used to pay some people to oppose an idea instead properly brainstorming problems.

After further thought of my answer I also saw that our present system is not according to the natural decision making dilemma and process- People need more options for leaders. Our current system presents the voting public with only two options and makes it difficult for the introduction of independent candidates to work outside the agendas of the two major political parties.

The current system also doesn't leave the responsibility of choosing leaders with the people. As in the recent cases of the removal of Damion Crawford and Raymond Pryce as candidates for their respective constituencies. Our present democracy has even proven to be against natural selection. Where leaders are selected from among specific class of the society to represent people who they don't even know. There is only one thing worse than the political representative not knowing the people and that is the people not knowing him/her. 

In the social groups of our neighbours in the animal kingdom, that we consider of lesser estate, their leaders and alpha's rise from among them. Their leaders are groomed and tested to prove themselves worthy to lead the group to 'the fertile plains'. What kind of system is this we govern ourselves by, where leaders do not have to prove themselves strong enough, smart enough or cunning enough to lead and protect the society? Is mankind going backwards? Do we even know that socializing is not only partying?

When all is said and done though, the interview of politicians by the people will not be effective if the people are not able to hold their candidates accountable for not fulfilling the promise made in the 'interview process'. And most importantly, if the public is not looking for specific skills a candidate should have to be the leader of the country we don't need any debate. We could just accept any and everyone or 'jus lef whosoever in de already and mek dem step up d "progress".' We all have something or a list of attributes we look for in a leader.

General things I look for in the job interview for a leadership post:

1. A track record of integrity
2. Influence
3. Recommendation of the candidate
4. How they plan to fulfill the job description.

What would you want to see in the leader of your country?


Left to right: Leader of Opposition Mr. Andrew Holness, Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller

The Amway Manipulation

Amway is one of the MLM companies' payment structure I use to get paid for consuming products beneficial to my health and the safety of my environment. At least so I believe. Earning foreign exchange in this format is not only a +1 for me, but very useful for my country.

With more Jamaicans earning US currency in this way can help stem the devaluing of the Jamaican dollar. The present FXrate would decrease because the local banks' demand for the US dollars for US/JA trading would decrease. Persons earning through MLM structures would be pumping US$ into savings and investment accounts providing the banks with currency they would be able to sell.

Supply and Demand for Currencies

Our ($JA) dollar is devaluing against the USD (green back) because Jamaica is earning too little USD. Most transactions Jamaica does on the international market like when the government is buying foreign products or services are done in USD. So to get the USD needed to buy the stuff the country wants 'needs' the Jamaican dollar has to be used to purchase USD.

All the time our dollar was devaluing was because some fat cat saw that we really needed the US dollar and couldn't get it anywhere else so he raised the price of it so he made a profit on the price he bought it for from someone else.

Business Assessment

However, the consumption side of the MLM market means Jamaican IBO's have to give up JA dollars initially for goods (AMWAY-US made products). As the profits of my Internet and MLM business grow the more I will be able to use US dollars to buy US goods. You see manipulating Amway is all about using consumer habits to earn for me. It's almost like buying my own products from myself. But it is really circulating funds within your business until the business profits increase.

The first 6 months of my business I tried to maximize the benefits of Amway's Fast Track Program (FSP). In my opinion I failed though. The reason for the failure was the lack of insight and the level of my income (from my salary). It was after I mocked up an excel sheet I realised I could make more than what I made, without trying to actually selling products to anyone.

And I am no expert salesman but I tried to learn sales. I found most sales techniques and philosophies (especially those taught by my up-lines) repulsive and unnatural. When I used them some worked but they made me feel sleezy and awkward. Most times I could feel the tension between me and my customers. Luckily I had a little charisma that could temper the tension to still get the sale. Yeah up-lines told me about expecting the 'NO's' and being discouraged by them; but man were they plenty. I was discouraged of course but the discouragement made me determined to find a better way. Hence the excel sheet for my business activity was 1 step closer to finding the better way.

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Amway Manipulation

Well you see, I am not only in a MLM business to make money because I have had it hard all my life and want an economic break. I am definitely not doing it because I am desperate and want a 'buss'. I am in the business to vary and expand my income streams. Then  we should consider the fact that I don't want to have more money solely because of greed, but I have a vision of the bigger picture of how my riches and philosophy can help my country's economy and ultimately, the world. Many say that I love money too much. But I don't. I simply Love how I make others feel when I can help and in the present system mankind had developed I can best help with money. In essence I love the things I can do with money.

After 6 months in the business at the 3% earning bracket I spent approx. J$200,000 (US$1640) and only earned 10-15% of that. Now, Amway has the potential to make me earn way more than that. And I know I have the potential to double the earnings potential Amway has for myself. So since I am now an 'Amway 3% guru' and the only person in my network (no active downlines) I decided it's time to go to the next level. I now needed to sponsor a downline and reach at least the 6% bracket.

It is possible to be spending US$500 inclusive of product cost and shipping to Jamaica and earning  50% of that cost, monthly; with your IBO account, a registered customer account and yes at the 3% bracket. All that is needed is to find the right purchasing mix of IBO and customer pricing while buying what you need or a family member needs/ wants. Such a purchasing mix will help you take full advantage of the fast track bonuses in your first 6 months.

Operating your Amway business at 3% and without any active downline, really means you, the IBO, should make the most of the cost recovery opportunity. The return on investment won't chip in until at least 3 downlines are active in your business at basic level. As stated earlier it is possible to get a rate of return on your investment in Amway of a around 50% even at the first earning level (3% bonus level).

Each network marketing opportunity can be broken down to basics and then manipulated to earn for you. If network marketing is not for you though, then it is just not for. And you will not benefit through the different marketing strategies network marketers use, simply because you won't dedicate to using your natural marketing skills or gaining these skills by learning. And yes some persons are natural marketers. Marketers must have a skill to connect with persons (whether online or offline).

Don't get it twisted though, anyone and everyone can be apart of a MLM program and benefit in some way shape or form. Not because you join a multilevel network marketing company means that you are a practicing network marketer. But depending on the payment structure, support team and uplines you have you may not even have to do any work, not to mention recruiting in order earn. But the true spirit of network marketing is having all members working their way to their wealth.

Educating the Cycle of Poverty

The formal education system is the chief reason for the cycle of poverty faced over the world.Our schools do not teach about money management. They teach information for servitude though. Work hard on your education and then get a job that fits your education or training to get paid for your knowledge. 

School generally teaches you to think in a box where you are working for someone and always working for money.

Because of how (and what) students generally learn about money. Very often, even those society considers to be decently or well paid, subconsciously 'chase the dough'. Chasing after money instead of making it chase you is bound to leave you broke most of the time. Chasing money also leads to immoral decisions and unfair practices. Then the mismanagement of money due to the lack of knowledge, a vital ingredient in the recipe for poverty sends them on a slippery slope to make them poor. 

The society's understanding of the definition for wealth is one way I prove to myself that school doesn't understand money and is only setting up the succeeding generation to poorly manage their finance. Investopedia defines wealth as a measure of the value of all of the assets of worth owned by a person, community, company or country. Robert Kiyosaki gives the definition of wealth as the number of days you can survive without physically working (or anyone in your household physically working) and still maintain your standard of living. Investopedia's definition and many other dictionary definitions of wealth, persons get it twisted and think that being wealthy and rich are the same. Therefore, poverty is not being able to survive a single day without your source of income. Even if you are well paid, mismanagement of your funds can make you poor. How and Why? Because although persons' flashy car and big house lie, money doesn't lie; your life's balance sheet never lies.

Well, by the time you start working, you realize your expenses catching up on you. Some persons start working for way less than they deserve hoping to progress up the ladder. In government these steps up the ladder are encouraged but the time to get even your first step sometimes is frustrating. When they do get the training to upgrade their post, the pay increase does not match the level of work required. And to make matters worse the taxation system employed is counter intuitive to the 'reward' of a raise in pay.

Because the tax calculation involves taxing above a threshold and the difference of your statutory income and the income threshold, the greater your salary the more taxes you pay. Unless you are a government minister or recognized official you may not get certain benefits in living expenses to counter the increased taxes. -We should also check if certain persons get legal income tax exemptions.

Sadly the teachers teaching the children were brought up in the same system and only can teach what they know. Because that is what they live. Today hardly any high school student, would want to be a teacher simply because teachers' workload do not match up with their pay. I recently drove past one of my past high school teachers at the bus stop and the cruel criticism of "him still a tek bus" popped up in my head. I simply hope my teachers who may seem not to be living comfortably as others would want are saving for 'the rainy'.

In addition, while reading the newspaper today, I saw a question in the Ask The Doc section of the Gleaner January 5, 2015. Question reads, 

"I see my students who I taught in high school and college living better lives, financially, than I am. How is that fair? I feel so frustrated at times."

 http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lifestyle/20160105/ask-doc-confused-about-my-priorities

For a teacher to feel this way it shows how the system we have set for ourselves is unfair. At this point I want you to know that the system can be changed. It is also important to note that life is not unfair. The way mankind lives life may be unfair.

So God bless those who are breaking free and have broken free from the system. We have made it our duty to re-educate ourselves differently from how school has taught us.

The Parable of The Talents

 Matthew 25:14-30King James Version (KJV)

Now the talents in the parable are referring to money. The lord was leaving and expected his servants to go and trade up his talents and earn interest on the principal. The servant who did not earn any interest was given the money but the story did not tell us that he was given the tools or teaching to go and earn. However, the only fair assumption is that all servants were taught how to gain on an investment. That to me is the only way the lord leaving for a far country could be vexed with the servant who got 1 talent.

But the story explicitly stated that all the servants were not equal in ability hence the lord gave them money accordingly. Therefore, the servant with 1 talent was called unprofitable because the lord was sure that with his ability, he could earn at least 50% on his investment.

To add insult to injury, the unprofitable servant showed the lord that he was actually learning from the lord but chose not to act on what he was learning. Can you blame the lord for wanting interest on his money while he was going on vacation ( well, just saying); I think the reason he would be so vexed is because he could have taken the money and multiplied it instead of giving the unprofitable servant. One can only be disappointed when an expectation is not met.

This parable showed me that the magic of the financial system is even older than i thought, perhaps ancient. I now say that each of us should be using this magic to our advantage. Making money even in our sleep. Just like how the lord of the servants wanted to be making money while he was away in a far country (on vacation).

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

King James Version (KJV)

by Public Domain

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