Carl Stone 's formula
published: Monday | April 17, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I STILL refer to Carl Stone's 1989 publication Politics versus Economics because to date, I know of no other serious, unbiased, trustworthy publication by any of our intellectuals. On that basis, if you can appeal to the lower and working class, which constitutes more than 60 per cent, you are a winner, whether you are in commercial business, political business or the religious business.

Based on this formula, Sister 'P' just needs to add social icing like more housing, education and social amenities; she will be moving several strides ahead of a limping opposition. This has become so evident that even failed Jamaica Labour Party members are jumping ship one after another and others are climbing onboard from every dark corner, many of whom the People's National Party will have no long-term use for.

Sister 'P' is politically savvy and is making no mistakes in our first-past-the post electoral system. Her religious fervour is making sense in the minds of many of those who matter. Talk shows and big speeches and forums, debates etc are mainly middle and upper class phenomena and those politicians who think that you can win elections talking to the middle and upper classes, many of whom talk but do not vote or whose votes are marginally significant, would probably do better at the polls by visiting a church a week. Religion can be a good avenue to the people and not necessarily an opium or both.

I am, etc.,

MICHAEL SPENCE

Micspen2@hotmail.com

P.O Box 630

Liguanea, Kgn 6