THE EDITOR, Sir:

Here are a few random questions for Jamaica, in no particular order of priority. I'd love to know if you have the answers.

1. Why do PATH beneficiaries who continue to have more kids continue to get more benefits?

2. Why did we spend $400 million to build a bus park downtown that has remained empty?

3. Why do prisoners who get 'hard labour' not do any work?

4. Why can't the Riverton dump become the Riverton recycling plant?

5. Why can't the Government and Opposition lock the doors of Parliament and not come out until they have a specific law passed to address lotto scammers?

6. Why can't Kern Spencer be tried after so many years?

7. Why is the Government doing nothing to remove the Mona Commons squatter settlement in front of the University Hospital?

8. Why are we considering reopening the scrap metal trade that has cost the country so dearly?

9. Why are we debating removing the Queen as head of state and not the resumption of hanging?

10. Why are we considering building a new economic zone at Ferry while the free zone is empty?

11. Why do our police set up roadblocks at exactly the same place every day?

12. Why don't we make it a crime not to report to the police when you're named as a suspect and asked to come in for questioning?

13. Why can't we increase the penalty for praedial larceny?

14. Why do we have so many idle workers on every roadwork project?

15. Why is the JUTC losing millions when Coaster bus owners are making so much money?

16. Why do Blue Mountain coffee farmers only get US$35 per BOX when it retails for US$50 per lb?

17. Why aren't we investing in coal-fuelled generators if it's the cheapest source of energy?

18. Why would the deputy mayor of Montego Bay not know that his son owned an illegal gun?

19. Why does even the smallest roadwork contract cost so many millions?

20. Why are vendors allowed to sell on the streets and markets remain empty?

21. Why can't we patch potholes when they are small?

22. Why are our universities not coming up with new ideas?

23. Why are so many of our politicians so fat?

COLIN WHEELER

colinlwheeler@hotmail.com