No Santa ClausIn response to the debates and the promises that are being made by the governing and the opposing parties, I am yet to hear either of them honestly tell us the truth about what is needed to change our economy.
The truth is that there are too many of us who are living our life with the myth that there is a father Christmas and this is who they are trying to be. I am yet to hear any one standing at the podium and telling us the truth that it will take the commitment of all of us working hard, changing our attitude and our way of thinking to make our country and our lives more prosperous. It is not going to take any one man or woman to do so.
Jamaicans ought to by now realise that there is no such person as Santa Claus and we should stop looking at our political leaders as such. It is time for some of the old guard to stand down and make room for people with new ideas.
It is time for us to select our leaders and not our leaders select us. My question to all those who are running in the upcoming election is: What is your objective, is it to serve or is it to get power? If it is the latter then stand down.
- Winston, wemathison@yahoo.co.uk,
Via Go-Jamaica
National motto OKThe writer who suggested that the national motto "Out of many, one people" should be changed consequent on the outcome of this year's display of celebrations, is perhaps mistaken for the first time.
Reflecting on such a notion, it is imperative that I invite you to reconstruct your thought process. The motto reflected 'many' then, and will forever be reflective of 'many'.
- Dr. A. E. Vernon, Sr., afv1965@aol.com, Fairburn, GA.,Fulton, USA,
Via Go-Jamaica
Mental slaveryRe Ms Michelle Smith's letter, published on August 11: While is it true that the Independence celebration should reflect our diverse cultural heritage, Ms. Smith's final sentence that the celebrations reflected only "a lot of people who descended from slaves", seems to suggest that the history of black people began with slavery and indeed completely defines us. To my mind, sentiments such as this, reflect continued mental enslavement.
- Dr. Vernella Fuller, vefuller@btinternet.com, Rose Hall, St. James
