SOME POLITICIANS and political commentators want us to believe that the current global recession is the reason for Jamaica's ills. While we may see a reduction in remittances, tourist arrivals and bauxite earnings, Jamaica today is suffering from something else.

If I may use an analogy, Jamaica has been suffering from incompetent hands at the wheel steering the bus down the wrong path for too long, maybe 18 years or so. Now, we have a new driver, driving the same bus down the same path to economic ruin. Prime Minister, you have not changed course. If you don't, Jamaica's recession will still be evident after every other country has recovered from the current global recession.

Wealthiest Jamaicans

In a recession, people tend to save more and spend less. That is why many economists have suggested that cutting taxes and increased government spending is a sound strategy to fight a recession. Not so in Jamaica; the Government can't spend because it has no money. While money can be borrowed to accomplish this needed spending, in Jamaica's case it would be absolutely suicidal to borrow more money just for the purposes of stimulating our economy at this point.

On the matter of taxes, while successive governments sat on their hands and the Matalon report in good times, and allowed some of the wealthiest Jamaicans to avoid the tax net, now, in 2009, taxes are going up. Governments don't raise taxes in a recession plain and simple. On the matter of savings, that is simply something that most Jamaican's don't do, in good or bad times.

Jamaica is suffering from bad governance and corruption. And, as the famous saying goes, the chickens have now come home to roost. So, while many in Jamaica will be opposed to new taxes and some People's National Party members and its leader will cry about the poor people for whom they did nothing, the current Government has a task like no other.

I am, etc.,

AUDLEY GILPIN Jr

audleygilpin@yahoo.com

Toronto, Canada