This letter is directed to the author of 'Benevolent dictatorship?' the letter of the day of April 17. I cannot believe that I am sitting here in 2009 reading a letter suggesting dictatorial leadership. Your version of solutions to Jamaica's problem reads like Hitler's solution to Germany's problem.

In this new era, dictatorships will not work. You assume that we all agree that the approach/solutions to Jamaica's problems line up with the way you think. We all think differently, and that is the beauty of a democracy. We are all entitled to our own opinions. Thank God we live in such an era because under your rule many of us would be severely penalised for walking the streets or for having more than two children or even for playing our radios in public.

The problems of Jamaica will not be solved by enforcing more laws. Rather our focus needs to be on creating decent Jamaican citizens. We need to focus on transforming the hearts and minds of Jamaicans to prefer good over evil instead of setting more rules and implementing them with an iron hand.

Is it difficult to believe that the people of Port Royal may not want the type of development you see as best for them? Or that some of us may want to have 12 children instead of two? Dialogue is important for us to move our nation forward, not 'benevolent dictatorship'.

I am, etc.,

JACQUELINE GEDDES

jgeddes@jageddes.co.uk

Kingston 6