THE EDITOR, Sir:

There was a column in last Sunday's publication headlined 'What we want to hear from Portia'. As I read that headline, I thought, 'What would Portia like to hear from us?'

Many constituents have forgotten that we are in a partnership. We seem to have forgotten that we have as great a responsibility, or perhaps greater, to ensure that the country is managed properly. We spend a lot of time in our boardrooms, on our verandas or patios, and on our soapboxes pontificating on how to solve the problems facing the country, yet so many of us shy away from serving in public office.

More important, what would Portia like to see us do while we hold the Government fully accountable and demand our pound of flesh?

I reckon that Portia would like to see us:

Be 100 per cent compliant in paying our taxes.

Caring for and protecting our young children.

Teaching our children right from wrong and training them in the way that they should grow.

Dispose of our garbage in a responsible manner, always being mindful of the importance of recycling.

Protect the citizens of this country as our security forces have sworn to do.

Be the watchdogs of our communities in an effort to eliminate crime and antisocial behaviour, in general.

Emancipate ourselves from mental slavery and begin to display true self-reliance, and not be dependent on the International Monetary Fund, or anyone else, to fulfil our dreams and desires.

Act with integrity and decorum in our daily activities.

Seek enlightenment.

All things in life are a two-way street, no matter which way we slice it, dice it or spin it. It is the universal cycle of interdependence.

The sooner we acknowledge this partnership, the sooner positive results will be manifested. The transformation must begin now, and it must begin with each and every one of us, individually and collectively.

Otherwise, we all will just be talking, talking, talking. Jack Mandora!

M. EDWARDS

rosebud.9@hotmail.com