THE EDITOR SIR,
IT SEEMS as though whenever we dare close our eyes for a second in Jamaica, we are rudely and abrasively slapped across our faces by some outlandishly harsh system or policy, or some new hike in taxes - that it seems we will undoubtedly have to swallow.
We can all rant and rave at home, but it seems until we all rally round at Emancipation Park, and march up to King's House - no one will care about how much we suffer.
There are already high taxes on everything in the country with some twenty per cent even on patties. There is increased crime and a colossal infestation of corruption and mayhem that is festering throughout the country - and while indignation grows among the people, so does the struggle and it is all set- like a time bomb, and I am sure the trigger is not far off.
I have six real words that I know will bring more heartache and pain than any human element can invoke right now, and six real words that will inflict a calamitous effect on any, and every wise Jamaican. It is simply this; "Look out - the budget is coming!"
The "chaos seeking missiles" are all flying around in the House of Parliament just concocting some scheme, which will no doubt add to the fall of the budgetary towers. I fear in my heart - but I am also slightly enthused and curious, for I feel that from it will come change. I fear that when the scrolls are unveiled, and the budget is read up yonder - there will be bullets just singing by and by. I fear that some sweet day at the end of the financial year, a lot of us will be going away, some will leave the country, some the world, while the rest of us will be left to roam.
There will unquestionably be more old men sitting downtown selling sweets, there will, sadly, be many more youths left illiterate and educated enough to fire guns, there will still be - as unfathomable as it is, even more blockage and inefficiency in the courts; and we will all be able to thank the one who controls the budget, who I'm sure will be kept safe by some special guards.
It is quite sad that over the course of Mr. Davies being in office, the budget of the country has run like a Concorde without a pilot. He even speaks of his "track record". In his term he has allowed some of the greatest swindles known to man to pass as legitimate government-sanctioned deals. Net Serv was high, Operation Pride was high, The five billion for NTCS bus company is high, and the two-lane 'Highway' is high!
JAMAICANS HAVE PAID
We as Jamaicans have paid the high prices, we have paid, we paid the three hundred and so million dollars for jobs never done, and we pay each day for the destruction of our country though the only crime we have indulged in is not making any protest.
It was the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, that said - "Hope is a waking dream". I agree, and in Jamaica unless there are some celestial intermediations, there will be nothing left for us, but the burden of taxes, hunger, and starvation and maybe hope. We can all keep calm, for the apocalypse is not yet upon us, but give him a couple months - for he is coming. Be wise, and beware - the budget is coming!
I am, etc.,
I. ANDREW WILDES
wildz1@hotmail.com
Brown's Town P.O.
St. Ann
Via Go-Jamaica
