On Independence Day, we stopped for lunch at Devon House. All the shops were closed, except for Peter Couch's What's On Jamaica and the patty/ice cream shop. Coachloads of tourists expressed their frustration at their inability to participate in the Jamaican experience, as they walked about and peered in through the locked windows.

I thought the place would have been decorated in the national colours and alive with celebration and Jamaican hospitality to mark the day. The two shops tried valiantly, but they couldn't carry the swing by themselves. We felt a bit of disappointment. But, mostly, we were embarrassed by the way we were treating our visitors.

- K. Foster,

Via Go-Jamaica

fosters2@cwjamaica.com

On nomination day, PNP General Secretary Donald Buchanan said during an interview on HOT 102FM that some 8,000 to 9,000 Comrades accompanied MP and party leader Portia Simpson Miller to the nomination point within her South West St. Andrew constituency.

I was appalled that he was proud to spout such numbers publicly, when the availability of 8,000 to 9,000 people to escort a politician on a Tuesday morning indicates a scourge of unemployment within that constituency. Unless it is that most of those persons were 'schoolas'. And that would be another story.

- Rohane Riguer, Kingston 8

I am appalled at the way politicians treat the intellect of the Jamaican people. The Santa Claus mentality is very much a part of their campaign strategy, 'free education, health care, no toll' and the list may soon include 'free meals daily, no taxation, highways to your gate, no bus fare on JUTC'. When will they present from the political platform the reality that Jamaica is in no position to afford all these grand programmes. We have a national debt at almost a trillion dollars. Where will the financing come from to fund these grand themes.

It's time real issues are presented from the platform, issues such as reducing crime, stimulating economic growth, overhauling the tax collection system. Stop the free talk and get down to real business.

- Dane McLean, Via Go-Jamaica

danerichard1988@yahoo.com

I would like to extend sincere thanks to the medical team at the Portia Simpson Miller Square, Tuesday night, for their quick response and kindness towards me as I fell ill. It had been a long day from a combination of hunger, exhaustion and dehydration. The result was that for several moments I was out of it, and just before darkness enveloped me, a police officer and a civilian held on to me, and took me to Dr. Andrew Watson and his team.

To all of you, I say thanks and hope that I can always extend the same level of kindness shown to me a fellow Jamaican. One love.

- Erica Virtue, journalist,

C/o Jamaica Observer.