Historically, economic decision-making has always played an extremely important role in shaping the Jamaican society. As Jamaica moved away from traditional agricultural exports of banana, sugar cane, coffee, pimento and other ground provisions, just to name a few, we became increasingly dependent on foreign economic aid and goods. The result is that foreign economic actors play an ever-increasing role in the determination of domestic priorities, especially in the increased efforts to establish sustained economic growth.

Although Jamaica is a senior member state of the CARICOM, singularly or collectively, some member states do better than others in a number of ways.

Because Jamaica offers a free-market economy where the government only regulates light, water and cable, other goods and services are being offered at ridiculous prices. As a result, consumers now blame the Government for such occurrences. Therefore, the private sector might need more government interven-tion or regulation because the price of goods and services has skyrocketed over the years.

I am, etc:

CHARLIE BROWN

charliebrown1004@hotmail.com