Dear Editor,

I heard with great dismay Dr Omar Davies' reaction in Parliament to the request by many associations and individuals for the Government to reduce the size of the Cabinet and to tell us what steps they plan to take to reduce the cost of parliamentary salaries and perks.

I interpret what was said to mean that doing so would not amount to much in the scheme of things, with little or no impact on Government's expenses. I am truly surprised that a gentleman of Dr Davies' great knowledge and experience has not learned of the need for "shared sacrifice".

Even if, as he put it, the effect would not amount to much, it is the gesture that counts and not necessarily how much it saves. It is very, very important for the Government -- when asking workers, pensioners, businessmen, and women to accept a wage freeze, pay more taxes, receive reduced income on bonds and other investments -- to do the right thing and demonstrate to all Jamaicans that they understand and accept that they, too, must take less pay, have a smaller Cabinet and reduced perks, to show that they, too, are sharing the pain with the citizens of our beautiful Jamaica.

I hope that what is happening now will never happen again.

We must ensure that those who govern us do whatever is necessary to grow our economy so that everybody prospers.

Peter Thwaites.

pjsr40@gmail.com