The Editor, Sir:

It is clear to me that our politicians did not get into their current positions based on their demonstrated brilliance and ability to bring lasting solutions to bear on our many challenges in Jamaica.

I am as such amazed at the consistent cries from all across the country for the Government to "do something". Do what? That a politician is able to come up with any solution is incidental to his/her position. I get the worrying sense, though, that the average Jamaican really expects solutions for the Government.

Consistent with the adage which says that necessity is the mother of inventions, I propose that solutions are best crafted by those who are most directly affected by unfavourable circumstances. For, if people don't buy into ideas of reform as if they were their own, you could be most ingenious in crafting change programmes and policies, you will get nowhere.

Let's face it, the macro realities that face our country are as different as communities are different. Communities must become more involved in finding solutions, and become the bosses who direct the Government in what it is to do. Are we not a democracy, "of, for, and by the people"? The people are in charge. When politicians are in charge, the 'light bulb' will go out and we are left to grope in the darkness of a hopeless dungeon of crime and violence and harsh economic realities.

Politicians are best able to identify and promise the fulfilment of the wishes of the electorate. A not so sharp electorate is always somehow fooled in thinking that the echoing of their inner yearnings is something of a plan by these preying politicians. But our experience has proven that it is never anything but a mere empty echoing. It may not necessarily be that they lack the ability to help, but there is a clear lack of will. After all, they do face a different reality than is faced by the average Jamaican.

Relatively high contact

I would love to see more coming out of our universities where, arguably, a relatively high contact with the Jamaican populace is enjoyed. Hence, if any institution should have a handle on what is happening, it should be our universities. Or are they too steeped in importing knowledge that bear no relevance to our prevailing problems. Little wonder then that our politicians are so inept.

The Church, which in recent times has been acknowledged for its efforts, must not feel justified in what has been done so far. We still have a far way to go. The question is still haunting: why with so many churches around do we face such grossly inhumane, man-made conditions? We have a long way yet to go to redeem ourselves, while bringing spiritual and moral reform to Jamaica. More community-based programmes must be implemented. We need to remember that the Church is not for the morally upright and righteous, it is for people with problems.

I am, etc.,

CHARLES EVANS

charock01@yahoo.com