As Bernie Madoff gets what is tantamount to life in prison for his financial Ponzi scheme, I do hope Jamaicans have been taking stock. We are endowed with a preponderance of avaricious people.

We need to make an introspective analysis to determine what is best for our country as a whole. Looking abroad is not always our solution. It seems to be the ambition of every lame entrepreneur to obtain quick and copious returns for minimum investments with minimum time. Jamaica seen to be the Mecca for this. 'Grab it and run' mentality.

In the real world, for every gain, there is one loss. Unfortunately, the Jamaican people seem to be always be losing.

It is fair to say that the Jamaican society has cultivated a large number of people with the 'Madoff mentality'. How much is too much? When will we not call a spade an umbrella? Is morality out of style?

The greatest difference between Madoff and his Jamaican contemporaries is that Madoff preyed on the rich. In Jamaica, his cohorts prey on the working poor.

Political positions

Why is it that when poor men are elected to political positions in Jamaica within their first term a metamorphosis occurs? Poor men suddenly become very rich. Why do we always look the other way? Is this an example of unbridled capitalism or is this how democracy works?

When will our political representatives subscribe to a moral imperative? Is this asking too much? Is this the thought of a dreamer?

Is it wrong to say that our banks have become predatory lending institutions? How about our light and power industry? Why do Jamaican consumers pay one of the highest utility rates in the world? Why is the service so bad?

Business mark up some items over 100 per cent. What about frugality? The Government set the pace for this. The duty on some automobiles exceeds 100 per cent. Where is this money?

As the Office of Utilities Regulation proves itself a useless entity, the persons we elected to take care of our affairs seem only to be taking care of themselves. When will the Jamaican people be jolted out of their reverie?

I am, etc.,

CLIVE CHIN

clivechin@gmail.com

Bronx, New York