THE EDITOR, Sir:
IN LISTENING to Deon Jackson-Miller interviewing a 20-year-old young lady named Marjorie the programme "Beyond the Headlines by R.J.R. on September 3, about her decision not to vote in the upcoming General Election, she made all kinds of excuses, why she should not participate in the system, and went on to say it is like jumping out of the "frying pan into the fire."
I musingly thought about what political experience could a 20-year-old have to make such an informed decision as this. Frankly speaking when the PNP came to power Ms. Marjorie was just 7 years old, so she could not have had any experience of the workings of any previous JLP government. Ms. Marjorie's action is symptomatic of the negative attitude of most young people nowadays to opt out of everything, even when they are benefiting from them.
Mr. Editor, I do a lot of social work in my area, so I speak from experience when I say the vast majority of young people are ready and willing to reap but never sow. It is with this in mind that I would urge the government to make voting mandatory, or failing this, anyone who refuses to vote, should not benefit from any government programme, as you did not elect any government.
It is easy to ascertain who did not vote by instructing the indoor, and outdoor agents to record the names of those persons who do not exercise their franchise. It is time for the few to stop deciding for the many.
I am, etc.,
KENNETH GORDON
Mandeville
