THE EDITOR, Sir:

I READ a letter from Josephine Campbell in The Gleaner of May 14, suggesting that free education was now impractical in Jamaica. I am offended that someone who benefited from free education in the '70s would be so hypocritical and selfish as to suggest that equal opportunity for all should have or need any financial restriction. Her generation was no more deserving of the best opportunities than are the current and future generations.

A few small corrections to her argument are in order, so please think about this. The Seaga Government had to prudently discontinue free education because they inherited a massive deficit and incredibly bad economy with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank breathing down our necks.

This, of course, was because Mr. Manley's utopian vision and socialist rhetoric had scared away local and foreign investment. Incompetents with no experience were placed in positions with far too much responsibility, and generally mismanaged the country and economy into an abyss from which Jamaica has never fully recovered.

Michael Manley, like every leader of our country up to now (including Mrs. Simpson), had great hopes and intentions for Jamaica, and only a damn fool would even suggest that Edward Seaga wanted to go down in history as the leader who discontinued free education.

Jamaicans need to put Jamaica first and dump this People's National Party/Jamaica Labour Party foolishness. Both parties want what is best for the country, as should we all, but have different perceptions of what that best is. What we need to consider and vote on is competence, vision and ability and, unfortunately, we lack all three in this Government.

Bruce Golding can, given the opportunity, institute free education by recreating an atmosphere of hope and comfort for investors, increasing production in industry and agriculture and creating jobs for our young.

Discipline is what this country lacks and fiscal irresponsibility was our downfall in the '70s and continues to be so now. With quality leadership, we can achieve goals that seem too lofty to most, only because we have accepted mediocrity and incompetence in government as perfectly normal. After all, that is all we have had since Michael Manley last became Prime Minister.

God blessed Jamaica with potential beyond need and a people unrivalled for ability and aggression. There is nothing to fear from an educated population. India literally exports computer expertise and Cuba does the same with doctors.

Let us all pray for the best and because I am a proud Jamaican, I will not put limits on what we can and cannot do.

I believe Bruce Golding will do what he says because I know it is possible with a visionary and disciplined approach to government. He has the people with the ability to accomplish what is necessary and needs Jamaicans to stand behind him not to the side nitpicking.

Ms. Campbell, free education that was good in the '70s would be great now as a smaller percentage of the population can now afford their children's education. After all, you got yours free.

I am, etc.,

STEPHEN F. SMITH

puttus@walla.com

Black River

St. Elizabeth

Via Go-Jamaica