The Editor, Sir:

In his political debate with the PM, Bruce Golding made a credible but misleading statement to the effect that JLP's spending package in total is at best two per cent of the budget, a statement that cannot stand severe scrutiny, and which I chalked up to clever electioneering. However, since his assertion, I have heard more people in the media voicing this sentiment, as if it really is a credible position.

Budget

I am no economist and I would invite those with better training and more information to correct me if I am wrong but, as I understand it, half of our budget goes to debt repayment, more than half of the remainder goes to our recurrent budget - wages, leases, utilities etc., leaving maybe as little as five-10 per cent of the budget for discretionary spending.

In light of that, his two per cent now comes closer to 10-30 per cent, and we have not dealt with the inescapable capital expenditures. Now, if my argument is incorrect, I would love to hear it corrected and if not, the media of Jamaica owes it to the people to advice them of this issue. It is, after all, the fifth estate's responsibility to provide facts.

I am, etc.,

PAUL DUNCAN

pduncan428@gmail.com

Kingston

Via Go-Jamaica.