The Editor, Sir:

I read the paper with dismay this week when I read the comments by our Prime Minister regarding the $635 million job programme. In her own words, "All I can say (is that) the people will be paid more than the National Minimum Wage. If you are putting people on projects, it doesn't mean that one person will be working for six months. We are targeting 12,000 persons," she added. I wonder why? Why is it that every time something is to happen to help poor people, to help the people who are suffering, there is always a cry, and even from some people who are just one step from poverty?

Well, the cry you hear Madam Prime Minister is our poor people crying out for help, and here is the answer to your question: This is because bollo wuk does not help poor people; our history shows it only helps political parties, it has been a tool used by the JLP and the PNP to perpetuate illiteracy and political tribalism. These short-term one-time funds do nothing more than stir up political sentiments and at a time when election is obviously near. The fact is such a clean-up should be done on a routine basis through a regular standardised process. It simply highlights our PM's proclivity to continue the tradition of political buffoonery and a leadership without vision.

Think on these things

If you truly want to help poor people consider the following:

Stop giving work permits to foreigners without advertising the jobs locally first.

Make primary education compulsory and free for all Jamaicans, remember this was once the dream of the PNP.

Work on a long-term plan to reduce our national debt, stop borrowing more money at exorbitant rates that future Jamaicans will be stuck with repaying.

Provide legitimate and comprehensive health benefits and a pension support plan for our senior citizens.

Short of this your lip service is becoming boring and sounding more like the broken record of your predecessor.

I am, etc.,

ROHAN REID

rdreid1@aol.com,

Alexandria, VA

Via Go-Jamaica