The Editor, Sir:

I am happy to read at last about the stance that one community is taking with regards to the way in which they have been used by our politicians over the years. I am talking about your article in this Sunday's issue on the Mona Commons community titled, 'No vote unless'. Indeed this should be the stance that all Jamaicans should take in the upcoming election.

For too long we have been used as a political football being kicked around by the political players in this country. We are being passed from one to another and used to score goals for them whenever they need us to; but afterwards we are stored away until there is another game.

We see evidence of this daily all around us and the end result is the effect that we reap in crime and violence from anation that is divided by both major political parties.

We are longing for a leader that can unite this nation, not those that slander each other by calling each other names and using the western style of gunslinging. I am not saying that there has not been progress made in this country over the years under the leadership of both parties; however most of this cannot be attributed to either as most changes came about through the struggles of individuals who have been forced to do so because of the lack of some of the basic support that should have been put in place by the elected.

I would like to urge those who are about to seek office to place their cards on the table out in the open, as to what they will do for this country, if and when they are voted into office, why they want to represent us, and where do they see this country in the next five years under their leadership.

Our country is one of the most beautiful places on this planet and our people are a product of such. We are all born survivors and all we need are leaders who will set the foundation for us just like those in Mona and other squatter communities across this country; and we will do the rest.

I am, etc.,

WINSTON MATHISON

wemathison@yahoo.co.uk

London, U.K.

Via Go-Jamaica