There is an ongoing problem of parties in power using the nation's resources to secure power for themselves.

In recent times, I have heard too little protest from the population regarding the calling of elections in the very near future. National elections cost a bundle.

Can the powers-that-be afford to ignore the children who cannot go to school because they do not have bus fare, the families on substandard diets, the social ills that require expensive fixes in the inner cites, the failings of the agricultural sector (and the list goes on) in their bid to secure power?

When will power hunger take a backseat to sound policy and planning?

- Helen Ann Brown, helenann_brown@yahoo.com, Bedward Crescent, Kingston 7, Via Go-Jamaica

Violence & religion

Growing up in Jamaica, I could not escape the veil of religion everywhere; even the most hardened criminals would claim to love Jah.

I, myself, am not religious and found it quite funny that with all the different religious groups in Jamaica, we are still among the most violent people in the world.

But then again, violence and religion go hand in hand.

- Christopher Campbell, camo4@charter.net, Via Go-Jamaica

Water rate

The water rate increase is really 29.15 per cent. The Office of Utilities Regulation has granted to the National Water Commission an increase in the water rates.

Both our daily papers have stated in their headlines that the rate has increased by 28 per cent. What they have done is simply added the 'k' factor increase of five per cent of your bill to the 23 per cent increase to get 28 per cent.

This, however, is an erroneous calculation. The true rate increase is over 29 per cent.

Follow this simple calculation:

Previous bill = $100.00

Increase = $ 23.00

Sub-total = $123.00

K factor charge = $ 6.15

(i.e. 5% of $123.00).

New total = $129.15

Total percentage increase is obviously 29.15 per cent.

- Warren Blake, Kingston 10