A new beginning, really?

The Editor, Sir:

I heard a really nice song on the radio recently about a "new beginning". It really made me feel so good. At the end it was said to be done by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS). They did very a good job with this one.

Then I listened again and began to think about what it was saying. A new beginning? Is the Government trying to 'wheel and come again'? Is this an answer to the 'change' that never came?

There is also a newspaper advertisement talking about a new beginning, and the prime minister on TV showing us the pictures of the highway. I suppose the highway is the road to the new beginning. So the same highway that was criticised is the route for the new beginning?

So where is the new beginning when it comes to corruption? Where is the new beginning when it comes to honesty? Where is the new beginning when it comes to arrogance? Where is the new beginning when it comes to crime?

new beginning?

When Labour Minister Pearnel Charles disrespects us nurses, when PM Golding talks down to the Opposition, when Minister Bartlett misleads the Cabinet, which new beginning is that?

The Government needs to know that it is going to take more than just sweet singing about 'change' and 'new beginnings' to convince Jamaicans. It is going to take honesty, transparency and humility. We need to be able to believe when our leaders speak. I am sad to say I don't anymore.

The more I think about it, and the more I hear it, the more the song upsets me. This Government clearly thinks people are stupid. Are they trying to get us to feel good with a little singing and to forget what is happening to our country? The money they spend to put it on the radio they should have given to us nurses! Every time I hear it I just turn of the radio. I don't even want see the newspaper with it. I wish I could just turn off the Government and really make a new beginning.

I am, etc.,

JASMINE T. JONES

jasminetjones@hotmail.com