THE EDITOR, Sir:
JAMAICA'S OPPOSITION party some weeks ago demonstrated the capacity to join forces with the ruling party to forge a consensus on education. This initiative was hailed as an historic achievement. It gave to the country a breath of fresh air, signalling that the Opposition was not only concerned with winning the next election, but that it cared for Jamaica.
The crime monster is slowly devouring our will to survive as a civilised society. This has been dramatised by the recent speech of Superintendent Amos of the Montego Bay police. He reminded the nation that the problem of drug-related crimes is bigger than we ever imagined; and that it is almost insurmountable because of the persons associated with the drug trade.
LUDICROUS STATEMENT
The Opposition spokesman on National Security has called on the Government to tell the nation what it intends to do about the problem. That was a ludicrous statement. To my mind, Government is not simply the party in power. It is the governing party. In calling for answers to the problem is the Opposition then saying to the country that it is not prepared to give all of its possible assistance to solving the problem? Is it saying to the country: "It's your problem; so fix it". I should hope not, because the Opposition represents a significant percentage of our people.
Let us look at where we are as a nation. The most urgent problem facing all of us today is crime, most evidently represented by the drug trade and its related death and destruction agenda. Is it beyond the party that has hopes of becoming the next governing party to join with the present government in an effort to conquer this monster crime? Or is the Opposition hoping that it can use the crime situation to propel itself into office?
One thing is certain. The voting populace is well aware of this type of political posturing and we are watching. It is time that both the Opposition Party and the Governing Party stop thinking about the next election and start thinking of how they can sincerely show that they are interested in the welfare of Jamaica, and not their own personal and political interests.
I am, etc.,
A. GUY MORRIS
aguymorris@bigplanet.com
