THE EDITOR, Sir:

The Government is stoutly contending that we have no choice but to swallow the bitter medicine of more taxes, the National Debt Exchange, wage freeze, etc. It might well be correct.

It has, though, made little effort to address the question of how we got to this position in the first place.

We did not arrive here overnight, nor are we first-time visitors to this place. Despite the 'solutions' posited in 2010, we have ended up, in 2013, right back where we were then. Amazingly, the same prescriptions are being trotted out in 2013 as the way forward. Is no one concerned about how we've come to be here again, and fearful of yet another visit soon?

We ignored the question in 2010. Let's not repeat the error in 2013. We didn't always have 'no choice'. It is the quality, or lack thereof, of the decisions taken by our pilots and navigators when we had choices, that have got us here - again. They cannot be proud of their role, but neither should they deny it.

If there are statesmen among the present crop in Gordon House, this is the time to engage with the people. We cannot simply be regarded as cannon fodder for those times when sacrifices are needed.

MICHAEL R. NICHOLSON

kovsky54@yahoo.com

Kingston 6