The question of how patriotic Jamaicans are has surfaced from time to time. In my experience, I believe we like the idea but we fail to put it into practice. We are too much engaged in the 'I' mentality and the 'get all' at whatever cost to our fellow citizens.

Our politicians have taken this notion to greater heights, and they must be rated as perhaps the least patriotic among us, as observed by their actions and pronouncements.

Ill-treated

We need to rethink our attitude as Jamaicans, both in terms of how we interact with each other, and the way we view government or things governmental.

We treat government property with disdain, fit to be ill-treated and even destroyed with impunity. But we forget that it is our tax dollars that procured it in the first place.

Recently, I went to an establishment to purchase goods on behalf of a government organisation. On placing the order, I was informed that I was due a certain percentage in discount. However, when it was discovered that I was buying it for a government organisation, I was told, "No discount for government."

More money

I had to go to some length to explain that by granting the discount more money would be available to reach more youngsters.

In another incident, I ordered food for a group of youngsters, and when I queried about a discount I was told 'no discount for government.'

I must join the chorus which surfaced some time ago that we should reintroduce civics to our schools. Young people need to know about their rights and responsibilities as citizens, about the way they are governed. By so doing they would be more appreciative and tolerant of each other and the country in which they live.

We need to teach them the national pledge and the national anthem. They need to know our symbols and what they represent. And, more important, they need to see the working of patriotism in us, the older folks.

Our politicians have taken this notion to greater heights, and they must be rated as perhaps the least patriotic among us, as observed by their actions and pronouncements.