The Editor, Sir:

Government senator Professor Trevor Munroe is actually proposing that the Government funds political parties. How nonsensical this is. Such a sentiment can never be taken seriously.

If the Government funds political parties who will monitor the spending of this money and ensure that it is only used for the party alone. Who also will monitor any other outside funding that the party might want to accept? Mr. Munroe also states that State funding will not necessarily be in the form of cash but could include the underwriting of certain expenses for the parties, including national broadcasts or of publication of party manifestos. I don't need a degree in economics to know that someone is going to have to pay for the remaining costs after manifestos are printed and political campaigns are aired and those persons are the citizens of Jamaica.

Jamaica has already spent enough of taxpayer's money by subsidising the import of 200 vehicles to be used by political parties, which is not the job of the government or taxes. Additionally, if the Senator Delano Franklin is right when he estimate that it will take a billion dollars to fund the next elections, the idea of state should be not even be considered in any of the houses of parliament.

I am, etc.,

DIMARIO D. SULLIVAN

dimariosullivan@yahoo.com

Student, Mico University College