This is an open letter to The Honourable Bruce Golding:

Dear Prime Minister:

You may recall our brief encounter at the Jamaica Conference Centre, after the launch of the Planning Institute of Jamaica 20/30 vision, when I took the liberty of handing you photocopies of exchange of correspondence between the late former Prime Minister, the Honourable Michael Manley, and myself on the development of sugarcane ethanol as an alternative fuel. Millions of dollars in savings and foreign exchange earnings could have been realised had not the National Planning Agency procrastinated (letter dated January 10, 1978).

Later on, I again took the liberty of passing on to you photocopies of an exchange of an open letter between the Honourable Edward Seaga, former prime minister of Jamaica, regarding an 'Ideas Bank' for national development - social, economic and political - as the nation was suffering from a chronic overdose of traditional and bureaucratic thinking, similar to what you are experiencing today and which is possibly the cause for many changes on national boards.

Crave your indulgence

I am now taking the liberty to crave your indulgence in the legislation of either a National Lottery or National Premium Bonds/Stocks, or perhaps any other such hybrid financial instrument or entity, that would attract investors and the common man alike, in a venture to raise money to boost the political will in enhancing the so-called underlying factors spiralling the crime problem. We should boost not only social intervention programmes but also crime prevention-intervention programmes. These are mammoth undertakings and are easier said by most people than can be done.

It is an illusion for anyone to believe that any government can change the crime culture without having or finding the necessary means or wherewithal - the money or the resources required for the purpose. Money is required in politics to fight crime, corruption and violence. If the political system does not regulate crime and corruption, crime, corruption and violence will regulate the system.

Notwithstanding public funding to curb this venomous scourge, the already strapped public purse may be handicapped financially, or the political will may be in a quandary as to what to do or where to find the necessary funds to effectively address the crime problem. The captioned undertakings may provide some answer to its solution.

Large-scale money game

Historically, lotteries started as large-scale money games to raise money solely for a public cause. Herein lies the subtle difference with a lotto. In the context of a public cause, I beg the question, prime minister, what greater cause the nation faces than the formidable challenge in finding a solution to the vexing crime problem?

Being cognisant of the fact that it takes cash to care, again I beg the question, prime minister, what greater care the nation faces than the protection of life and property against crime and violence.

The synergistic action of these two political objectives - 'the greatest cause' and 'the greatest care' - will aid in the modulation of systemic benefits for the greatest national good.

Both the print media and the electronic media are inundated with the national outcry for an end to the frightening crime statistics. It, therefore, stands to reason that all well-thinking Jamaicans - rich and poor - would be willing to pay more than lip service and to put their monies where their mouths are in taming the crime monster.

Billions of dollars are expended, universally, in public lotteries, national premium bonds/stocks, etc. in many countries - Australia, United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom - in undertakings to raise money for public causes.

In so doing, we should also explore the wisdom of privatisation of the venture, which would also be very challenging, as a public undertaking.

In closing I am confident that all concerned Jamaicans, at home and abroad, regardless of political persuasion, would be happy and willing to have a stake in any financial undertaking, which lies at the heart of the 'JamaicaBamaDream', which could be compromised by the crime jigsaw puzzle.

Being a maverick, like myself, I am sure you will give my thinking the consideration it might deserve. Think on these things, as progress is only made by people who will not stop thinking.

I am, etc.,

Dr VANCE LANNAMAN, NMD, CNC