Your advice for tough times (December 26) left me with questions concerning your underlying assumptions and the basis of your conclusions.

As I understand it, the editorial is written from the viewpoint that the saviour of Jamaica is private capital. If the saviour is under threat, then Government must save the saviour. So you have proffered advice that Air Jamaica, Norman Manley International Airport and the Port Authority should be divested as part of the economic 'war strategy' (my words) that you are suggesting the prime minister should adopt.

Is the assumption that private capital is the saviour of the nation justified by our experience? When private capital receives critical national institutions like Air Jamaica, Port Authority and Norman Manley International Airport, what is left for the rest of us? The point is worth elaborating using Air J as the example. If the National carrier goes, other carriers will have to be found. Countries like St Lucia, Grenada and Dominica, among others of the Eastern Caribbean, currently pay American Airlines in excess of U$1 million per year for the privilege of flying to their countries. Already, the Government of Jamaica has taken steps along the lines of a guaranteed income for the American carrier and Air Jamaica is not yet sold.

Furthermore, this time of credit crunch and economic meltdown is the worst possible time to sell anything.

More useful advice to Bruce Golding would be for his administration to spend some money stimulating greater investment in agriculture and construction. This would keep economic activity going locally while the international economy is seeking to get a jump start.

I am, etc.,

GARNETT ROPER

garnettroper@hotmail.com

Highgate PO

St Mary