It has become painfully obvious to most of us that our elected officials do not take us or our problems seriously.

I watched in shock and horror as insults were traded in the House of Parliament during the most recent Joint Select Committee on Crime sittings. Are these people serious?

The country has the dubious distinction of being one of the most violent countries on the planet, and politicians and lawyers are wasting precious man-hours accusing each other of "wasting time", "having no sense", being childish", etc.

Absolute disgrace

Their conduct is an absolute disgrace and perhaps they need to participate in one of the boot camps organised by Andrew Holness' ministry.

Thank God DPP Paula Llewellyn was present to insist that persons put aside their egos and pettiness and get on with the nation's business.

The behaviour of the rabble-rousing grass-roots PNP supporters is another fiasco.

All of a sudden, their MPs are being ousted or made to feel unwelcome in their own constituencies, ostensibly because of poor performance. Wasn't this 'poor performance' evident before September 20?

Cue from leaders

These people can't take all the blame, however, for their misdeeds.

They have taken their cue from their political leaders who have not yet learned to treat each other with respect, and until they adopt a gentler tone, which will have a ripple effect throughout the nation, we will continue to be a society that breeds violence, division and disrespect.

- Karen Henry, Portmore, Independence City