The Editor, Sir:

I was absolutely shocked by the amount of money paid to the Prime Minister's speech writers.

I mean, writing a speech takes half an hour tops, and then for the research - well, how long can that really take? Speech writing (and writing in general) is so easy, any one can do it. Therefore, why should these professionals who bring years of education, experience, proven track records in their areas of expertise, and general knowledge of the world earn so much! An honorarium averaging J$25,000 per speech is practically handing them the keys to the Bank of Jamaica. I'm outraged! My 13-year-old would do it for less.

Labour in Jamaica is cheap and we should keep it that way.

Doing the real research

Now it's up to us to do the real research to:

1: Find out whether speech writers are employed by government leaders, politicians and other public figures in the region and elsewhere in the world;

2: Why public figures feel the need to hire speech writers and what it takes to be a speech writer; and

3: the going rates for speech writers employed by other government leaders and officials elsewhere in the world. This particular point may be asking too much, however. It might mean, heaven forbid, doing more than rewriting the page or so of information dug up by the reporter. Plus, the information would actually help readers to compare and contrast how things are done here vs. elsewhere.

I am, etc.,

GRACE CAMERON

Kingston