The Editor, Sir:

It has been a few weeks since the Trafigura affair bloomed into the consciousness of the Jamaican voters and the final verdict on the fallout is still being tabulated.

We have also seen two different versions of the '150,000 can't be wrong' gathering at the National Arena for both political parties. The information coming mostly from the print media is suggesting a close election that can go either way.

The greatest concern going into the next election is: What type of campaigning will each party unleash on Jamaica?

The country is too delicate a garden to have the two highly-charged bulls fighting for control of the territory.

No way should Jamaicans with love for their country allow politicians to create divisive conditions that can be detrimental to the life and liberty of any citizen. That is why as a nation we need changes in our political discourse when it comes to political campaigning.

Political meetings

I consider it dangerous to have too many political meetings where supporters are being bussed in from all over just to create an impression of overwhelming party support. Any loss of life due to this kind of campaigning is not worth it. The monetary cost in lost man-hours, petrol usage, police deployment, etc., can be put to better use.

I am not certain of the power that is vested in the Commissioner of Police, but if that officer has any control over allowing political meetings, it should be used liberally between now and election for the safety of the nation.

As a developing nation, we must show the propensity to be civil and sober-minded. That is why I am suggesting that we move the election campaign from the streets into the homes and areas where intelligent people can have dialogue. That simply means there must be debates with those who seek political office.

Good debates

There are so many media houses in Jamaica, along with many experts who write for newspapers and those who interview and give informed opinions in all areas of the media. We should be able to get good debates going with some of these experts on hosting discussions and fielding questions to party representatives.

There are so many issues that are hanging in limbo and the country needs to know exactly where each party stands on things like the Cockpit Country bauxite plan, managing investment in tourism, the best options for using funds in the National Housing Trust and National Insurance Scheme and how are they securing the environment for future generations.

Let us show the world that we are more than sun, sand and beach. We are capable of conducting the affairs of our country in a democratic manner.

I am, etc.,

RAY G. STENNETT

ray4rs2000@aol.com

PO Box 809

Larchmont, N.Y.

Via Go-Jamaica