It is heartening that this article - 'Bruce's crises - Why the PNP should debate Golding', by a fairly articulate gentleman, Ian Boyne, was published on Sunday.

How is it possible that, like Rip Van Winkle, The Gleaner and its cartoonist have just awakened to criticise and to advise after 18 years of somnolence? Why? Is it because before, to them, the previous administration could do no wrong, and this Government can do no right?

Moral component

Whatever the cause, it's too late now. It is vital that the way forward be debated so our country never gets in this bind again. Running a good country is not only a financial task. Any good housewife does that; but there is a moral component as well. Now is the time to bring it out, and into the open, and publicly state and agree or disagree on the correct things to be done, how to manage our finances, and the moral way this country is to be run.

In the coming months, there is going to be pain for all, but let us openly debate how it should never happen again, so that not one party is responsible in the future for the state of affairs, but both. The agreed positions should be put in the Constitution.

I am, etc.,

A. MAHFOOD

tetjam@jamweb.net