THE GOVERNMENT has recently signed an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a tranche to cover various shortfalls of the budget outlined by the minister of finance.

It is necessary to obtain the money to support the funding of the current budget. The issue is not from whom we obtain the money, but how we spend it. The simple economic principle is if you spend more than you earn, you will be in a financial mess.

Governments only earn money from two sources: direct or indirect taxation, and there is no room to further increase the tax burden on either the people or businesses.

Painful remedies

The Jamaican Government needs to tell the population the painful remedies that will occur if we do not go to the IMF. Government also needs to tell the population the painful steps they need to take to clear the financial burden facing Jamaica.

In addition, the Government and the Opposition need to also forget the political divide and the scoring of political points. Jamaica needs a political consensus which is necessary if we are to survive the current economic climate.

Mr prime minister and Mrs Leader of the Opposition, people prefer the truth and they also prefer to understand the options facing them in clear terms. It will take some work to literally 'bury the political hatchet'. We need leadership that puts the country first.

I am, etc.,

Mario Woode

solutions696@aol.com

Birmingham

England