Was it Michael Manley or Edward Seaga and the CIA that Destroyed Jamaica?
Was it Michael Manley or Edward Seaga and the CIA that destroyed Jamaica?
I recently read an article published on this website titled “Mr. Manley Destroyed a Vibrant Jamaican Economy”.
When I read articles such as this one, I look for evidence to see the motive behind such rhetoric; such as where the author obtained his/her information or if the author has ulterior motives.
I don’t know much about Michael Manley’s politics or what he said , because I was not there, and he is not here to defend himself. But I will say this, based on my research and first hand information that I have gathered over the years about the powers that control the earth, the person who wrote this article is in my opinion uninformed, and miseducated.
He did not take the time to thoroughly research his subject before he made his accusations. Manley’s legacy has nothing to do with the condition of Jamaica today. Let’s begin with the basics for those who do not know about creating wealth/money/poverty in any country’s economy. GDP means Gross Domestic Product. The total market value of all final goods and services produced in any country by the people of that country or resources in a given year, which is equal to total consumer investment and government spending, plus the value of exports, minus the value of imports.
In other words what minerals or resources do Jamaica have or produce to generate money ( FIAT CURRENCY)? Sugar cane, coffee,cocoa banana,yam,grains,milk, meat,etc. Those things can be eaten. There is also Bauxite and Tourism. If none of these are available how does that Country generate Money ? Money is created by your energy ( your talent,labor, your inventions etc. ) When you sign your name to get credit, the Federal Reserve Bank has what is called Fractional Reserve Lending: the Bank submits your application to the FEDS. The feds in turn authorize the Treasury to print ten times the amount of your requested loan (ex.$5,000.treasure print $50,000 ) and the bank deposits the $5,000 you applied for in your bank account (digitally). You then pay interest on that amount, and in turn the Bank is left holding $45,000.00. At the end of the year they file what is called an 1099A (Abandonment ) form with the IRS. That means you the BORROWER/signer has Abandoned that $45,000, AND IT GOES TO THE BANK and its share holders.
That is the way it is all over the world with countries that take IMF LOANS. That said I wont go any further with that. Do your homework! Also, how many people are aware of the EU/WTO CAP ( to eliminate competition ) that was placed on Jamaican farmers and agriculture when they took the IMF LOAN under Edward Seaga and others in Jamaican politics?
Are people aware of the amount of beef, milk and dairy products that the Jamaican farmers had to dump under this cap policy ? Jamaica was forced from that moment to abandon its soverign right to produce its own beef, milk and other products, and had to buy foreign beef, dairy, and agricultural products under this EU/WTO pact which accompanies IMF loans.
Manley tried to avoid taking this loan because he knew what came with it and encouraged farming, because that is true wealth. This is why these devils devised this plan to take the resources of the world and leave you holding a false debt and some pieces of paper. The author also mentioned ‘first world country’. What is a first world country ? Today, people use the terms First or Third World to rank the development of countries or the strength of their economy. This is a pretty recent development, and veers away from the original usage of the terms, which were coined during the Cold War as part of a rough—and now outdated—model of geopolitical alliances. The term “First World” refers to so called developed, capitalist, industrial countries, roughly, a bloc of countries aligned with the United States after World War II, with more or less common political and economic interests: North America, Western Europe, Japan and Australia.
Jamaica as an individual island does not fall in line with that idea. This author of this article is misinformed.
Blessed Love
Download The Jamaican Blogs™ App for your Android device: HERE
Remember to share this article on Facebook and other Social Media Platforms. To submit your own articles or to advertise with us please send us an EMAIL at: [email protected]
This is pure nonsense !
That’s utter nonsense, Jamaica decline by over 25 percent under Michael Manley in the 1970s, look at what happen under Edward Seaga in The 1980s, a reversal of the decline of the 1970s. Now how can u explain that.. The United State was wary of a Jamaica that was aligned to communist Cuba, ant thus cut off all support to the country. get the facts
Seaga a mi General !
What I don’t get, we continue to use the word “destroy” was there a war in Jamaica, or an earth quake, stop playing with the English Language, or you are just using this to make conversation. How many of you have been in a war, where have you travelled, have you been to Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, those placed have been destroyed. Stop using the word destroy, if you don’t know the meaning. If you don’t like it in Jamaica, leave, you can go to any of the above countries I mentioned.
Stop blaming the government for your greed, your love of foreign made goods. Too much illiteracy, that’s what playing out here. Did the United State build Hospitals and Schools for Jamaica, I will tell you what they built, poverty, guns, criminals,and the Shower Posse, and don’t forget those two hundred Jeeps that they sent for the Posse, that created carnage all over Jamaica.
As those that lost their love ones, they will tell you.
Michael Manley, is one of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century, there is none to match him. What I realized blogging on this medium, there are still clueless people living in Jamaica, as much as we are living in an Information Age, they just don’t read, or their comprehension skills are so poor.
Jamaicans love progress, but are afraid of sacrifice. You cannot achieve success without sacrifice. You need new roads, but you don’t want to pay more tax, we need new street lights, who, or what pays for these luxury you enjoy, every time you refuse to play your part, you are hurting something, or someone. If every person were playing their part we would be much better today. We have got to change our habits, stop blaming governments for everything, lift up yourself. Every country around the world practice Socialism, as a matter of fact without Socialism no industrialized nation would exist, we would be living in the Stone Age. But I say again ignorance and illiteracy plays a role in one’s thinking.
I will ask the writer, name five accomplishment of the Jamaica Labor Party, that benefitted the people of Jamaica, in anyway shape or form. Almost every Jamaican have a Cell phone, have access to the Internet, how did this happened, do you realized how lucky you’re, your kids having access to technology, when I was going to School this did not exist, yet I’m smarter.
Jamaica has problems, but they can be solved, it begins with us.
Come now don’t be naïve or obtuse. There are many ways to undermine and destroy a country’s economy. The USA routinely sought to wreck the economies of countries that did not toe the line.
Clearly this writer isn’t old enough to know what really went on in this country. The last time the Jamaican economy grew in any meaningful and significant value under the PNP was during Norman Manley’s reign. In fact, many Jamaicans obscure Michael Manley’s charisma and charm for valour, and so, they praise the wrong Manley. During Norman Manley’s reign Jamaica was the fastest growing developing economy in the world. This growth continued into the 60s with Busta and Shearer. Our dollar was even worth more than the US$. No one should overlook the role the CIA played in Jamaica during the 1970s, however it was Michael Manley who inflicted serious blows to our economy by undermining the entrepreneurial class. I remember seeing many “Chiny” shop closing down in my community at the time. Under Michael, we went from being the fastest growing developing economy to being a IMF beggar in just 4 years of his reign in 1976 (Michael came into power in 1972). The only other time Jamaica experienced the growth it did under Norman Manley was in the 60s under the JLP and in the latter part of the 80s under the JLP (the earlier part of the 80s was spent repairing the damage done during the 70s under Michael Manley).
Considering many economies went backwards during the 1970s it is hard to simply prove that his actions were the true cause. Also since his politics went against the US and given that country’s propensity for seeking to destroy anyone who doesn’t kowtow it is not unreasonable to imagine they did what they could undermine Jamaica.
Don’t think we will get many objective opinions with these replies. Looks like most of them are falling along party lines. I left Jamaica as a boy in 1973 so I don’t have an informed opinion. Here’s what I do remember. I never had paper money in my hand for going to school. 25 cents was lunch money (bus fare, patty, drinks) while living in Kingston. I remember older ladies knocking on our gate looking for “days work” in order to support their families. We seemed to be a more honorable society then.
Sigh… here we go again the blame game… Funny how people would rate Castro and then talk bout how Jamaica under MM leadership was aligned with Cuba. Get the facts people do some reading. Bigger nations wanted to and continue to try and control smaller nations. MM did not want that for Jamaica; an island that would stand on it’s own and let the world know that them nah come run this ship… Again have you ever read on how North and South Korea are where they are… the invasion of 2 bigger nations cause that problem…
Talk bout Seaga do what in the 80’s… check the level of money and help the country got in that time and see if it matches the progress made… compared to keeping the country running while it was imploding because of il informed and un educated masses. One question me always ask… how guns come here? Hmmm probably need to look at who was leading the country and the opposition and all of a sudden man have gun…
Manley was a charismatic leader, he would say things like “after two decades he was de whitened so I am black” he said that campaigning he took jamaica to the edge of communism, the night JLP won the Cubans left in the middle on the night, he openly invited the upper class job creating Jamaicans to leave remember five flights a day to Miami. Yes jamaica is a mess but I believe that no one person or party is to blame I feel that the corruption that festers in the political system in the island is to blame.
Malkoota Koodsha, your article, is informative, your explanation of GDP, bank loans. is refreshing, to us the man in the street, also there is no doubt, in my mind that the majority of Jamaicans, who read and understand your analysis, know that it’s, factual, great article, thanks a million! 🙂
yes man this is one bag a nonsense
Jean Ann- Bartley, I do think you’re totally confused, you missed the mark, and your argument is way too misleading. What I would love you to do, is do your homework. Jamaica is not mashed up, as some might say, Jamaica is suffering from what is called, balance of trade, if you understand economics. This happens when people like you and I decided that we no longer want to eat Goat or Chicken that we raised ourselves. So Company X, goes to the Bank of Jamaica, and gets a waiver; which allows them to buy the same thing you could have grown. Jamaicans loves pretty things, like cars, trucks etc. Whenever these things needs spare parts, the government has to find foreign currencies to buy spare parts. The Government has to find enough money to pay for all these luxury you enjoy, what happens when supply and demand interact, it like placing a bid, the highest bidder takes home the prize. So now the dollar devalues, we inflict all the pain on ourselves, then we blame it on the Politicians.
We continue to import more than we export. Many years ago we went and borrowed money from the IMF, there were stipulations put in place by these lenders,then add to that, we are caught up in what is called World Trade Organization, (WTO) so countries like China, using child labor, mass produce, and dump inferior quality good on us, so Jamaica is in a situation where we are trapped. How to get out, first we have got to get the monkey off our back, then we as a people have to change the way we consume foreign goods, things that’s not important to us, if not we are doomed. We can’t always keep blaming Politicians for our own mistakes,but I do understand that many of us are accustom to the old way, that freeness mentality, believing that Government should do everything for you.
God bless Michael Manley, that great man, may his soul rest in peace…
How many of you remember those Jeeps, the ones that were given to the Jamaica Labor Party, by the United State Government, when you saw them coming, you had to run for cover.
Jamaica decline started with the lack of foresight by our wel intentioned first leader, then coupled with undermining of the economy by cia and opposition government..
There are many Jamaicans who remain unaware of the role played by the CIA in Jamaica in the late 70’s and early 80’s. But it is a matter of public record and we just have to Google CIA and Jamaica. Look also at a movie with the title “Controlling Interest” and you will hear from the mouths of the Bauxite exucutives, and other Transnational corporations’ executives how they exploited poor countries. Manley’s attempt to organize THIRD WORLD countries to stand together and try to dictate better trems of trade was the very action that marked him as a target for destruction. Now about our definitions of FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD WORLD. Classically the definitions are these: First World is the Graeco-Roman world which produced the seeds of Government, Politics, Economics along with a certain Philosphy or World view. The SECOND WORLD was the rise and expansion of Europe including the grab for territories outside of Europe, and the emerging power of the USA after WWll. The THIRD WORLD represents (represented when this term was coined) the colonies and former colonies of the SECOND WORLD powers that were now emerging with new ideologies and world views. They were newly independent or struggling for independence. (AFRICA, ASIA and LATIN AMERICA). They happened to be the poorest nations in the world, most populated, and colored (non-white) but were very rich in minerals and raw materials and fertile in new ideologies and bringing their influence to bear upon world opinion. (especially through the UN and other regional and subregional fora. The movement for politial independence began to morph into a movement for economic development and the control of the commanding heights of their economies. Hence Michael Manley and other THIRD WORLD leaders stumbled upon the problem that a Martin Luther King Jr. stumbled upon. As King began to affect the “pockets” of the Monetary interests in the USA locally, so too was Manley beginning to affect the “pockets” of the Transnatioanal giants with their unbridled exploitations of poor nations. Compare GDP and GNP figures in any select number of THIRD WORLD countries bewteen 1960 – 1990! Or easier still, just do it for Jamaica’s economy and see if any light can be shed on the problems we have been having. (The GNP shows what accrues to Nationals after profits are repatriated to the METROPOLES in which the Transnationals are headquartered). So let us stop fighting among ourselves as a politically divided nation, and among ourselves as territorially divided nations in the Caribbean and LA. The CIA was able to exploit our political divisions and so here we are in 2015 still maintaining the dividing walls. It is time to stop that and unite in the nationl interest. The national interest also calls for the strengthening of economic groupings such as a CARICOM that includes the non English speaking nations thus leading to larger markets and greater economies of scale.
Before we get to Seaga in 1980 the economy had already been destroyed by Manley in the 70’s. In 1971 Lee Kuan yew of Singapore visited Jamaica, a vibrant economy to see what he could use to transform Singapore. Manleys vague democratic socialism, telling business operators 5 flights a day if you want to leave etc led to capital flight. He was correct when he pointed out that bauxite supplies were finite but his bauxite levy raised production cost in Jamaica and made it less profitable for foreign investors, capital was relocated to other countries, retooling to modern equipment was never done and so to this day we continue to use outdated equipment. By the end their was food shortage we couldn’t purchase oil daily power outages were the order of the day, unemployment skyrocketed, and crime ran untethered. 3 countries in the world had consistent negative growth Haiti , Rhodesia or Zimbabwe and Jamaica, the othe two had civil wars while Jamaica had Manley,
The data I’ve seen shows the US had negative growth in the 70s too.
I invite you guys to check out the book scattered thunderbolts by h.charles Johnson, he’s a Jamaican author,his book highlights exactly what occurred during this era,I found it to be an exceptional read, quite an eye-opener.
I wouldn’t blame one or the other…both had failed policies for different reasons.
Nothing has done more damage to Jamaica than the Rastafarian cult. I remember when Michael Manley started giving them credene because reggae was taking the world by storm. I remember how upset I was because I saw what it was going to lead to. It was not progressive. As a young boy in the sixties I lived next to a home where a lot of Rastafarians use to hang out smoking weed. This group used the gcult as nothing but escapism. What kind of nation can you build when these become role models?
Leroy Smith, you’re one discombobulated, nymcomppoop. Here you go again with your Schizoaffective thinking, you sound quite delusional. You are certainly one of thse that didn’t go to school, or if you did, your comprehension skills are limited. I hate racist, and discriminatory speech, if you are living in the States, you must vote Republican…
19 77 Michael Manley is the first Prime Minister to get I.M.F. What are you talking about?.
This is my follow up to this article please take the time to read it,then do your home work dont listen to uninformed /unread people who have no nothing about the history of jamaica :I would like to add a second part to this fact-less article that Michael Manley Destroyed a vibrant economy , what i am about to say can be verified you just have to research . Any one that is informed or educated on the subject know that this statement has no facts to back this claim Let me set the record straight by giving you historical facts , to begin with our nation started out flat broke we did not have money ,we started out in 1962 as a broke Independent Nation,so the Government, and the Bank Of Jamaica (whic is a foreign own entitiy Borrowed money from preditory lenders ( IMF,IDB,and WORLD BANK ), and those Loans carry harsh interest rate, and penalties called , STRUCTURAL AJUSTMENT POLICIES, an example of these policies is this : we have three million people on the Island of Jamaica,and only six General Hospital, second Portmore is the most populated city in the Caribbean, and it still does not have a General Hospital, because of this STRUCTURAL AJUSTMENT POLICIES ; Thirdly its forces the sell off every major assets held by the people ex.BAUXITE, TOURISM,AIRLINES,COMMUNICATIONS,AGRICULTURE,UTILITIES,AIRPORTS, AND HIGHWAYS ,Fourth ,when the IMF lends you money they tell you,what you can spend it on ,and they told Jamaica explicitly that we cant build any new schools ( we have not build any new schools in over 20 years ) or Hospital ( we have not build any new hospital in 30 years ) .Those STRUCTURAL AJUSTMENT POLICIES is running the economy of Jamaica it dictates every thing from the value of the Dollar,the rate of incomn tax to weather a school stay open,or a road get fixed,every dollar of tax you pay goes to the debt not to the building of infrastructure , or the development of the economy half of every dollar of tax you pay goes to the debt,and the others half to share holders,and bond holders on wall street, the end result a usless currency,high prices,and an impoverish Nation working to pay a debt we did not create.The Jamaican people are now Debt slaves with no end in site.The CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE ECONOMIC POLICIES IN WASHINGTON D.C published a report about a year or so ago, in that report they declared that ” Jamaica is the single most indebted Nation on Earth our debt exceeds our GDP “.end quote this debt is impossible to repay,because it was designed as such it was not meant for us to repay. Michael Manley knew all about this,and was trying to avoid this tragedy , so before you jump to demonize him do some home work .Wake up and live or go back to sleep…Blessed Love
Extremely ironic!! Malkoota , continue to keep , those informative articles flowing .
Who is the present CIA? How did the former Minister national security knew about matters of national interest while he was out of office. CIA!! what CIA!! we have CIA among us and the same people are in power now being used by IMF as a CIA. That is where the answer is.
Well said. You have done your home work.
Horace Walker, keep quiet my man, you do not have it right. Listen to Robert Christie and Danny Mattison.
I expected a deeper examination of facts, figures and events to carry the writer’s point forward. Perhaps I was hoping for a genuine article into which time and research were invested. It seems, in the end, to be just as shallow and opinionated as the article it claims to rebutt. I guess rather than an article it’s simply an entry in the writer’s personal blog. Thanks for sharing but not a very strong piece.
my facebuk frens we argue politics–but dont become venemous–lets agree to disagree–seen ?