Before you come begging
published: Friday | June 18, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THANKS FOR your lucid report on the Government of Jamaica's wish for investment from Jamaican citizens living abroad. Many of us were forced to relocate abroad for our survival and not simply the chase of the almighty dollar. We have suffered great indignity, embarrassment and prejudice at the hands of people who felt we did not belong in their country; thus I take umbrage at the barefaced, no-shame attitude of this Government when I consider that they have done nothing but rape the citizens living in other countries for the last 15 years with very high duties and airfares. Politicians associating with common criminals called "dons" and the extortion racket do not induce investment or help.

You cannot dash the hopes of many of us living abroad of ever coming home by making sure we have no home to return to and then ask us to help you. My advice to the Government would be to throw us "foreigners" a bone or two before you come begging. Give us special airfares (particularly around Christmas) and drop the phone rates. I can call Israel or Palestine cheaper than I can call Jamaica. That would be a small start. When that is all done, then "wi can talk."

I am, etc.,

STEPHEN F. SMITH

stephenfsmith@ureach.com

Sunrise, Florida