The Editor, Sir:
If the global market requires people in the fields of information technology, investment and financial services, engineering and general management, should we continue to provide subsidies for tertiary students who enrol for degrees in areas which are irrelevant to those areas? Would it be more feasible for the country to fully subsidise students of, say, economics, engineering, computer science and the like instead of giving everyone the same 80 per cent off tuition?
I am, etc.,
Jeffrey Foreman
foremaninc@hotmail.com
The Editor, Sir:
Thanks for your article in The Gleaner concerning "identifying the magic bullet". I think you did a wonderful job of succinctly breaking down economic policy and how those policies relate to the two parties. I am currently reading Milton Friedman's Free to Choose and trust me, after reading your article, I am sure his book will be an easier read.
I am, etc.,
Floyd Smith
floydosmith@yahoo.com
The Editor, Sir:
In reference to the article "No politician has yet been able to identify the 'magic bullet'" in the Financial Gleaner (2007, August 17), a point was raised that I have always maintained should be politicians' approach to the citizenry, i.e., the need for politicians to be forthright.
I fail to see any one possible solution to our economic and social troubles. The problem is, as illustrated in your article, the costs associated with each option. At some point, citizens will have to make a sacrifice to achieve the golden dream. The challenge is that most Jamaicans are reluctant to place such trust in the decision makers.
A synergy of different options is the best bet - borrowing and increasing taxes. A balance would have to be sought whereby the populace is not taxed excessively and borrowing is within prescribed and reasonable limits.
I am, etc.,
Tyesha Turner
tyesha_t@hotmail.com
The Editor, Sir:
I definitely appreciated the Gleaner's articles and analyses, but it limits our options too much.
Why can't we seek a lower interest loan from a cash-rich country like China, solely with the goal of paying off higher-interest debt?
Essentially, we would be doing a balance transfer from a high-interest credit card to a low-interest one, or refinancing our debt.
If we can drop the interest rate by three per cent alone, we would save billions in one swoop. These billions could then be used for re-training, subsidies for things like organic goods and ethanol production, as well as to pay for social services.
I am, etc.,
David Mullings
david.mullings@gmail.com
