I strongly agree with Mr Stewart
published: Wednesday | August 3, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

AFTER PERUSING the interview with Mr. Butch Stewart on the Gleaner Online website, I felt compelled to send you this letter; I have no political affiliation whatsoever, and my views and comments are made purely on the contents of this interview and having known of Mr. Stewart while living in Jamaica and abroad. I can say that I strongly agree with the majority of his comments about the state of Jamaica , its economy and how it can be fixed or, at most, made better.

It pains me to see my birthplace continue to rip itself apart through crime, poverty, high interest rates and taxation, but ironically with no lack of enterprise. A country with so much potential and resources. Not just the natural resources, such as bauxite and agriculture; great exports, which we took for granted and squandered. But also our home-grown, resilient, proud, hard-working people who are capable of great things, not just great athletes although we are proud of their achievements. It is the demise of these resources why I, and several of my family members migrated from Jamaica many years ago and took with us our resources and applied it elsewhere.

Currently we are strewn across various parts of the world, coming to Jamaica only to visit on vacations and contribute monetarily whenever possible. I consider Jamaicans to be among the best people in the world; unfortunately, that includes destroying our own legacy and existence. The politicians and bigwigs who only use the people for what they can get, should be ashamed of themselves for helping to destroy this great country. Now is the time to start giving back some of what has been plundered away.

I am, etc.,

PATRICK IRVING

pirving@bellsouth.net

Miramar, FL

Via Go-Jamaica