Dear Editor,

Since the Jamaica Labour Party took state power in September 2007, it would appear that there has been an increase in the rhetoric of Edith Allwood-Anderson, president of the Nurses Association of Jamaica; Michael Stewart, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association president; and Lambert Brown, president of the University and Allied Workers Union.

Their views have been repeatedly broadcast on our televisions and radios, and they have made it their duty to lambaste the Government for not doing what needs to be done to improve the country. They have also been very critical of the administration for failing to pay the monies owed to civil servants, as well as retroactive payments due to nurses.

In these harsh economic times, the prime minister and ministers of government have taken salary cuts and have been implementing other cost-cutting initiatives to assist with the demands of the budget. Instead of offering support, we find that there are a lot of political activists, opposition spokespersons and financial analysts whose only contribution to the debate on solutions for the country’s economic dilemma is to berate the Government.

It is public perception that these individuals are only interested in what they can get for themselves and for the groups they represent. They don’t seem to care about the long-term development of the country. It appears that they are more interested in scoring cheap political points.

These individuals need to reflect on the words of John F Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Kenya P Cameron

patronella_c@yahoo.com