The Editor, Sir:

After reading a recent commentary regarding the lack of confidence that the Jamaican voting public has in the two political parties to tackle crime, I was inspired to write a letter to remind my fellow Jamaicans of a simple fact: The power to make Jamaica the sunshine paradise that it was created to be lies in the hands of every Jamaican citizen and not in the hands of any one politician or political party.

We must re-evaluate our political past and present in order to have a more promising future. We must determine what actions we are taking that continue to give us less than satisfactory results. Politics has never been utilised as a tool to unite, uplift or encourage people, particularly poor people, which is most of the Jamaican population. Politics, in fact, has historically been used as a means to intimidate, divide and conquer and suppress the voice of the poor.

This letter is not intended to undermine the efforts of any politician who genuinely wants to decrease the crime and violence in Jamaica.

The bottom line is the power is in the hands of the people, not the politicians. Jamaica is our country and it is up to every Jamaican citizen to make a commitment to fight crime and not to participate in crime.

The Government's concern is increased as a result of Jamaica's rapid decline as a favourite among vacationers.

My problem is our politicians seem to be more concerned about making Jamaica a paradise for visitors but not the year-round tourists who don't get to leave the Jamaican citizen.

We have to really take back our power and unite as Jamaicans, rise above this thing we call politics and recognise that we are all on the same team and if we genuinely want a better Jamaica it is up to each and everyone of us to accomplish that goal. Unity is key. We need to get back to being our brother's keeper and really encourage kindness and harmony among ourselves. We must start the processof saving ourselves.

I am, etc.,

MARSHA WALSH

petagaye28@comcast.net

Via Go-Jamaica