Our legislators can now boast of one landmark achievement. They have managed to increase the age for serving as jurors from 65 years to 75 years. What a feat!

This is at a time in our country where murders, gun crimes, corruption, extortion, identity theft, scams, high-tech frauds and other white collar crimes, disrespect for law and order and indiscipline in general have gone unabated. How could I not mention the frequent attacks on our educators by students and relatives?

We can only hope that the next line of priority for our legislators will be to take a tougher stance to curtail all of the offences mentioned above. They should make it easier to convict violators of the laws and increase punishment that serves not only to punish but also as a deterrent to others. Failed leadership equals failed state.

- Authnel Reid

authnelreid @optonline.net

Middlesex, New Jersey

I must concur with the many letter writers who have questioned the actions of our government regarding the closing of several Air Jamaica routes. Too often we are led by governments who rule by edict rather than by consensus. Tax dollars are spent with scant regard for the concerns or interest of our weary taxpayers.

Major gates at international airports are sold while minor ones are retained without logical explanation. Other airlines run profitable operations on the same routes on which Air Jamaica fails.

Our governments drag us into questionable sugar, oil, bauxite , hotel and financial deals without comprehensive public discussion. We are only informed when these deals go sour.

- R Oscar Lofters

lofters1@aol.com

Kingston 8

Is it any wonder that the average man in the street sees the politician as nothing more than a power-hungry individual rather than one caring about his fellow man? I make this observation in relation to statements made by Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller in St Elizabeth on Sunday.

Just last week over 100,000 people lost their jobs in the USA alone, are we to blame that on Barack Obama? If she doesn't see that as relevant to Jamaica take a look in the Caribbean. Bahamas is haemorrhaging. Dominican Republic is the same, Trinidad, etc. Is it that all these leaders don't know how to lead?

How about constructive dialogue?

- Sharon Bernard

honeywelljm@yahoo.com

Tampa