On 'Why I refuse to vote'

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I WAS saddened to read the above named article by your freelance writer Mr Melville Cooke in your issue of the 15th June 2001. As a member of the Guilty Generation, it has reinforced my opinion that it would be appropriate to place the sign, - Lose Hope All Who Enter Here -, at all ports of entry to this country, and even in hospital wards when children are being delivered.

As a senior citizen of some education and experience, may I presume to advise the young man that, if you have any degree of sensitivity, you will not escape a feeling of guilt in the later years of your life, if you take that course of action. You must either migrate or participate. Firstly, migration is a honourable choice, provided that you do not feel self-righteous about it.

I never took part in the politics of this country, except to vote, and I cannot escape the feeling that I did not fulfil my duty to this country that gave me birth. My public service was to practise my profession to the best of my ability, but, that has not been enough, because daily the situation worsens as we stand around, awed by the carnage and the waste of money, human potential, and lives.

Many years ago an English friend of mine, living in Jamaica, had two small sons born within a year of each other. Hence, there was quite a bit of sibling rivalry. Whenever the younger wanted attention, he would start holding his breath. He attained such expertise that, he would go blue in colour and his mother would panic and rush to pick him up and cuddle him. Mr Cooke reminds me of that child.

Mr Cooke must realise that in refusing to vote, he is making a choice of one or the other of the political parties. Not voting does not remove the guilt when the blame is being apportioned. I, in the twilight of my years, as one who loves this country, and wishes the best future for it, was depending on people like Mr. Cooke to rescue us and our future, from this Slough of Despond -like Christian in Pilgrim's Progress. As it is, since this attitude is so widespread in Mr Cooke's generation, I am hoping for my grandchildren to be born outside of Jamaica. That certainly must be a more useful course of action than trumpeting such flagrant and puerile nihilism, and with such arrogance! The truth of the cliché - It is far better to light one candle, than to sit in the dark, cursing - has never been more aptly illustrated than here.

I am etc.,

DENNIS STEPHENS

E-mail: saturn@cw

jamaica.com

P.O.Box 122,

Kingston 6,

Via Go-Jamaica

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