THE EDITOR, Sir:
EVERY NIGHT when I watch the local news, I am deeply disturbed by the number of people who obviously have no work to do and, therefore, have all the time in the world to block roads, demonstrate and generally create mischief. This number seems to double whenever elections are in the air, as witnessed by the volume of supporters who turned out recently on Nomination Day, May 30.
Then there were those who were busy celebrating the outcome of Nomination Day when they were interrupted by the police. I must be naive because I could not understand what they were celebrating at that point in the electoral process.
I cannot see how this country is expected to move forward and emerge from the quagmire of debt, when only half of the population seems to be gainfully employed all day, every day; while the other half, some by choice, some because of unfortunate circumstances, idle away the time, waiting on hand-outs or some 'excitement on the corner' to serve as the distraction of the day.
Despite all the statistics presented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica, I have seen no economic growth over the past three years. There are many entrepreneurs who have had to close their businesses or scale down operations. I know of individuals with Master's degrees in various fields who are currently job-hunting, without success. Where then is the incentive to pursue higher studies?
The government must accept part of the blame for this situation but we, as a people, need to support local businesses more, stop destroying our image internationally and do the things which will foster growth and bring benefit to all of us.
I am, etc.,
KAREN HENRY
kbernard@emoquad.com
