THE EDITOR, Sir.,
A WORRYING trend is developing in our nation,one that we cannot choose to ignore. Every time that someone proposes a divergent view on any matter, some 'know it all' is bound to jump up to cow him down. Whether it pertains to the use of public funds for the erection of a public statue, or the unveiling of a memorandum that will affect the entire nation. What is the purpose of democracy and freedom of speech if it is to be monopolised by the powerful few with their personal axes to grind? We might as well just have a dictatorship government.
The fact is that, whereas the much vaunted Memorandum of Understanding will give the government some breathing space, it hardly frees its hands to do much. The truth is that the MoU is a compromise, and it is the unions, not Jamaica, who might have come out on the winningest side of the equation.
Regardless of the perspective, the public sector is still too large for our budget, and some of its agencies are ineffective.
SOLUTIONS STILL NEEDED
Make no mistake about it though, whereas this MoU is indeed a landmark achievement, it is not a panacea. In fact, it is jjust a drop in the national bucket, and we conclude otherwise to our collective peril. It has not, for example, reduced the number of persons who are being killed daily. That requires another MoU which will move us beyond just a curtailing of public expenditure towards significant growth in the economy. We might also need MoUs involving the Opposition, the Government of Jamaica, and the Jamaica Defense Force, as well as the volatile communities, to stem the incessant flood of blood.
We have heard your side and we have signed on. Now, for democracy's sake, if others have a different, even opposing perspective, then extend to them the same courtesy you require for yourself. Even if you do not care to listen, citizenship in this great nation guarantees that we be able to speak our opinions freely. Respect due.
I am, etc.,
STANLEY REDWOOD
stanley_redwood@yahoo.com
Middle Quarters P.O.
St. Elizabeth
Via Go-Jamaica
