Mr. Chuck falls short

Chuck

THE EDITOR, Madam:

DELROY CHUCK'S commentary of November 1, 2000 had the makings of a landmark essay, but unfortunately fell short. The "we" in the commentary's caption - "Where have we gone wrong" - led me to believe that Mr. Chuck was ready to bring honesty and objectivity to bear on his analysis of our social and economic demise. Instead, he singles out the socialist-minded PNP Government of the 1970s, as the source of our problems today.

When will our political leaders (to include Mr. Chuck) admit that both PNP and JLP Governments headed by Michael Manley, Edward Seaga, and P.J. Patterson, are to be blamed. If Mr. Chuck is going to be specific to the extent of naming names (Michael Manley), political parties (PNP), and political ideologies (Socialism), then it must happen across the board. Capitalists and capitalism in and of themselves will not help us. Until such time that all parties concerned are prepared to admit wrongdoing and mismanagement, we will never be able to determine "Where have we gone wrong".

An addict who is unwilling to admit to her/his addiction cannot be cured. Our politicians' addiction to tribalism, hate, divisiveness, and loyalty to party and self as opposed to country, must be cured before we talk about how the poor and the rest of the nation can benefit from the creation of more wealth. Till then, I wish Mr. Chuck success with his occasional weekend club tournament in Cayman.

I am, etc.,

RICHARD KITSON-WALTERS

E-mail: kittywally@yahoo.com

Baltimore, Maryland

Via Go-Jamaica

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