The Editor, Sir:

I would like to suggest to my fellow countrymen that we do not encourage the two major political parties to enter into talks to achieve consensus among them. We had political campaigns, debates and elections. It's now time for action. The Jamaican people reached a consensus that we wanted a "small" change of course from 18 years of PNP-style governance to a more accountable government that would focus on crime reduction and the elimination of police misconduct and human rights abuses while building a sustainable economy.

The elected JLP government is therefore expected to design and implement policies to achieve these ends or resign if they lack the ability to do so. I personally liked what Mr. Golden had to say during the election process and expect him and his team to deliver. I was also happy when Mrs. Simpson Miller got elected to lead her party and now expect her to demonstrate that she is worthy of that election by being an effective Opposition Leader. She needs to show now how effectively she can challenge the policies of the new administration and put forward even better ones.

We must guard against any closed door agreements between the parties because, as nice as it sounds, that would not be in the best interest of the nation. It would either undermine our democratic process and/or allow the parties to simply continue the on-again off-again blame game we have seen in the past. We just need action now; no more talk or talks. We had more than enough of these over the years and look where it got us.

We need a socio-economic model that will get our people to be employed at their skills level. We need an education system that will ensure our children are strong in English Language communication, applied mathematics, and applied sciences (natural and social). We need an operating environment that does not encourage corruption and indiscipline at any level of society. In short we need real leadership instead of politics as usual.

I am, etc.,

JOSEPH PATTERSON

joseph.patterson@sympatico.ca

Brampton, Ontario

Canada

Via Go-Jamaica