The Prime minister's statement that his Government is "not only surviving the storm of global recession, but correcting the missteps of the last People's National Party administration" shows a party, and prime minister in problems. The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was elected by the Jamaican people to manage the affairs of this island - there is no use harping on about the past and about what was inherited.

It is time to get on with the job and implement the measures that are needed to bring Jamaica back from the edge. It can be done, and needs to be done quickly.

Where are the leaders with vision? Where are the leaders who put this island and its people first?

We have become a nation of shopkeepers just looking to make money for ourselves no matter the problems we put the economy in. Imports, imports, imports.

Free-market economy

And what about us, the consumer? We go to the shops and choose these imports above our own home-grown and -made products. Why? Do we have no vision either? All this done in the name of the free-market economy (note its collapse globally).

This Government needs to stop whining about the last 18 years and get on with the hard decisions that are necessary to change our fortunes. Is crime such a big problem that it cannot be tackled? I state that we have created this problem and until the necessary tough and relentless action is taken, we will be no better off three or 10 years from now.

In taking corrective actions, you are going to have to behave like a benevolent dictator, and not listen to the squeals coming from the voices of the liberal. Just get on with the job!

I am, etc.,

Nicholas Stephenson

stehensonnicholas@hotmail.com

St Andrew