The Editor, Sir:

When motor vehicle insurance companies are taking our money, they don't ask many questions, but as soon as the insured vehicle is damaged or stolen, the only question left to be asked is: "How many times a week do you have sex?" This is all because they don't want to pay.

The utility companies rob us blind. If for some reason we think that they are overcharging us and we go in to their offices to query our bills, they try to convince us that we did use the energy, we did use the water and we did use the phone. To add insult to injury, they still charge monthly rental for lines even though the service was disconnected. And now some of them want a disconnection fee.

I thought the Office of Utilities Regulation was here to protect the interest of the people. Instead, when we complain, everything is swept under the carpet.

Then there are the merchants who have a 'no cash refund, only exchange' policy. If an item is purchased and for some reason has to be returned, in the case where there is not a similar item or another that you are interested in at the time, you are given either a cash receipt or have to take something that you don't want, so you won't lose your money. Now if there is a small difference between the previous item and the current one, and there is nothing in that store to cover that small price, you have the losses. In the end, they always gain.

Exorbitant amount

When an item is bought on hire purchase, why is it we have to pay up to four times the cash price? Plus, if you find yourself in arrears, you are required to pay an exorbitant amount of interest. These things are not for poor people as they lead us to believe.

We give the commercial banks our money for safe keeping. They, in turn, lend out this money at some ridiculous interest rates and pay us only a small percentage of interest per month. And you all wonder why we prefer investment and high-returns schemes! This makes us believe it's worth the risks.

To all the landlords and agents, why do you have to rent your premises so expensive? Is it because you know that people can't live under trees? And the rents paid in advance (some as many as three months) that you are collecting, you need to stop it, as it's not legal under the laws of this country.

To the government-owned hospitals, it is free health care to what consequence? You have to wait for ridiculously long hours and if you are even diagnosed, there is no medication on hand to dispense. So what's the use?

Employees who are overworked and underpaid, and often work under deplorable conditions who speak out are told by their employers "there are a lot of persons out there that want your job". And as some persons can't do better, they have to take the disadvantages.

In light of the aformentioned concerns, parliamentarians should start looking out for the interests of the Jamaican people no matter what side of the political divide they are.

I am, etc.,

REMONA

sugarfreeja@yahoo.com