THE EDITOR, Sir:

From the other day, there has been uproar about the Government's plan to take $45.6 billion from the National Housing Trust (NHT). Let us all be real, it will happen, and legislation has been passed in both Houses of Parliament. In many quarters, people have been saying that it is unlawful, illegal, unjust or simply wrong.

The plain truth is that it is known that the country is at a critical juncture in its history. Many older persons will tell you that this is the worst state the country has ever been in. The country has had a particular appetite for debt and is now imploding and having 'running belly' from the consequences.

With no other option but to 'raid' the hard work of law-abiding citizens, the country is now at the mercy of international lending agencies.

Poor management over the years has led to a State that will soon have to be sold to stay on the map. Forget being classed as the 'English-speaking Haiti', we are now heading in the same direction as Zimbabwe if things do not change. With the dollar spiralling out of control over the last year, the ripple effects are dire. Jobs are now at a minimum, with job cuts a clear possibility.

COMMON CRIMINALS

Our Government and Opposition are littered with brilliant minds, yet they all do the same thing. How can Government be filled with persons with master's degrees and doctorates and behave like common men? The answer is simple: Because the aim was just for power. No one wants to make the powerful decisions because of the possibility of losing their hold on power.

There is one thing that has always been missing: consultation. Governments have always preached inclusiveness but makes up its mind even before coming to the table for talks. Case in point was when the Government made adjustments to taxation after the widely publicised double-team broadcast by the prime minister and the minister of finance. Without warning, taxes were thrown at us and there was no way around it.

The freezing of wages is also an issue and yet, the government officials are getting new vehicles, gas allowances and no pay cuts while everybody else is suffering.

With the impending withdrawal of funds from the NHT, the arguments will not make things better. Let us stop the bickering and now find ways to ensure that the funds are put to good use.

CONCERNED JAMAICAN

concernedjamaican1962@

gmail.com