THE EDITOR, Sir:

On August 8, I heard Mr. Don Anderson state on a radio programme that he did not think 'issues' would be important in determining voting behaviour in the next election. Persons near me who were listening disagreed with him. Mr. Anderson is right.

Shortly before the last election, the Operation Pride scandal broke. I thought it spelt the end of the PNP. After all, this was poor people's money. I had parked downtown to read the auditor's report when a young mother of four, in her party shirt, asked for 'lunch money'. I read a simplified summary of the auditor's findings for her then looked up, expecting at least some annoyance. She said with emphasis, 'mi no care, wi still a go win back'. Today, she can still be seen hanging on to the extremities of party vehicles. Her children have been taken by the Government until she can show that she is capable of taking care of them. But she makes absolutely no connection between governance and her pitiful condition.

Amazing explanations

In recent times, some quite amazing explanations have been given for the most serious challenges that beset us. No one bothers to check these 'explanations'. We just 'run wid it'. A few years ago, when crime had us sleeping with our eyes open and there was a growing chorus of criticism of the Government, Dr. Phillips came to the rescue by suggesting that it was not really Government's fault. It was 'drugs'. Thereafter, everywhere you went everybody, including educated persons, was regurgitating this 'drugs' explanation. No one took the trouble to ask the minister why it was that if 'drugs' was the cause of the murders, those killings listed as 'drug-related' only accounted for one per cent of murders in 2005 and two per cent in 2007? And if one does not have access to the figures, how about a little common sense? Which of us, after getting our drug money, would turn our backs on the pretty clothes, clubs, women, cars and jewellery to buy guns to hand out to some unruly, semi-literate delinquents?

Inability to think critically

The country continues to suffer from an inability to think critically and creatively. With the abandonment of civics, no one seems to understand or care what happens to our taxes. The overwhelming majority of our high-school graduates are very uncomfortable with reading. So they don't bother with it. And anything we are told, as long as it sounds good, we accept it.

At present, the majority of our people make absolutely no connection between what happens in Gordon House and the condition of their lives. Scandals, corruption, crime, poverty, illiteracy and mismanagement are things visited on us by beings from another place. Our leaders are not responsible. This will continue until we learn to read and start to think.

I am, etc.,

GLENN TUCKER

Stony Hill,

Kingston 9