The Editor, Sir:

As citizens, we need to be more concerned for each other's well-being. We are faced with a national crisis, where persons have been displaced and lack the basic necessities. Water and electricity are necessities; the few that have access to both are the ones that are propagandising and making it seem that the impact of Hurricane Dean was not devastating and it could be worse. I do agree that it could have been worse, but it was devastating enough to justify the Prime Minister calling a state of emergency and also to put off the election, not for seven days, but for at least three months.

We need to allow the country to normalise up to the point where the majority of our citizens' state of mind can conform to the reality of the effect of Hurricane Dean and the restoration process that is required to stabilise the country. The conditions as exist are not conducive to hosting a general election in modern Jamaica. I would not place a vote under these conditions and I know a lot of persons share the same opinion.

Politics and political gamesmanship should not be the order of the day when we are faced with these types of disasters. There should be a united effort to ensure that all our citizens' well-being is protected by both parties. The agenda of one's political party and its interests should have no place in determining when the election is called under these circumstances.

I implore the Prime Minister to work with the Jamaica Public Service Company and the National Water Commission to ensure that the island is fully restored and displaced citizens are taken care of before September 3, or else, put off the election!

I am, etc.,

MARCIA BROWN

cmttoou@hotmail.com