Dear Editor,

Apart from not having to face coups and the devastation caused by a recent earthquake, Jamaica is not much better off than Haiti.

Like Haiti, Jamaica is a very religious nation where the Government is run by the dictates of the rich and influential, and at the expense of the poor who make up the majority. Both countries are consuming nations with a large number of merchants/traders who import everything and export nothing. Some pay little or no tax and make millions of dollars that they deposit in foreign banks.

Both countries have failed/corrupt governments, as well as corrupt government agencies/officials, including the courts and police force. Both have an inefficient tax collection system, poor roads and water supply system.

The Haitian government owns no essential service, airline, or utilities. In short order, if the Bruce Golding administration continues the present trend (of selling Jamaica’s assets), Jamaica will slip to Haiti’s level.

This downward trend can only be halted or reversed when we have strong leaders; leaders who have a plan and will demand accountability and responsibility from every component of government and citizenry; leaders who will think outside the box and not in their partisan interest – something that the present government promised, but to date has not delivered.

Authnel Reid

authnelreid@optonline.net