Our leaders have failed the people in almost every aspect of governing - and the major things that they are supposed to do - fuelled by their raw partisan politics, their utter disregard and disdain for the people, and their nonsensical approach to governing. Their hunger for power has led some to do anything to get and hold on to power. This has led the country into a downward spiral of corruption and lawlessness.

A once laid-back society is now entangled in the vice-like grip of fear behind our prison-like grilles, a fear that is driven by those who brazenly maim and kill its citizens, plunder and rape with callous ease, rivalling any time in this country's history, dating back even to the days when Port Royal was the sin capital of the world.

The utter disdain with which these criminals commit these atrocities and their disregard for the law is a testament to the fact that they feel that they cannot or will not face any consequence for their action; secure also in their belief that if confronted for their deeds, they would only be touched by the short arm of the law, as they have their get-out-of-jail ticket or their cannot-be-prosecuted card.

functional illiterates

Our educational system has failed our youth, churning out functional illiterates, dumping them on the society without a clue as to what they have to do next, thereby providing a fertile breeding ground for the runaway crime and gullible fools to be recruited for vile and criminal activities by those who have the most to be gained at the expense of a few expendable lives.

We once had a great country where we were our brother's keeper, where the village took care of the children, where we could walk freely day or night, where we could leave our doors unlocked without fear, where doors and windows were for preventing the changing weather from destroying the home, not for cowering behind in fear as our country hastily retreats into the widening abyss of lawlessness.

I am, etc.,

C. D'AGUILAR

CBDA321@hotmail.com

Boston