Dear Editor,

I'll get straight to the point. Mrs Simpson Miller skirted around the critical issues in her address to the nation on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

Since there were gaps, my mind did the natural thing - it filled them. Here are a few instances where my own thoughts filled in the gaps (after the quotes):

"A year ago my administration assumed office, propelled by the hopes and aspirations of a nation that wanted a new type of governance characterised by humility, honesty, inclusiveness, respect and trust." - But that's not what you got. [awkward pause] Let's move on. Quickly.

"Our record over the year has not been perfect..." - It's been quite dismal, actually... "... but it has been persistent" ... in its dismalness.

"Our mission of uplifting the Jamaican people and working toward economic independence was challenged during the past year by the slippage of the Jamaican dollar." - Okay, Okay, it CAREENED with no view of stopping any time soon.

"The Net International Reserves also dipped, but not our reserve of courage, determination and resilience in the face of the international economic environment and domestic challenges. Yet, our confidence in the Jamaican people has never been stronger." - Seriously, do the speech writers really expect the Jamaican people to buy this?

"The Net International Reserves also dipped, but not our reserve of courage, determination and resilience in the face of the international economic environment and domestic challenges. Yet, our confidence in the Jamaican people has never been stronger." - Seriously, do the speech writers really expect the Jamaican people to buy this?

"Our ancestors did not fight so gallantly; did not shed their blood for us to now capitulate to gloom and doom. No. We know, as Jimmy Cliff assured us, that we can get it if we really want. All we have to do is to try, try and try, and we will succeed at last." - Huh?

"In relation to unemployment, the JEEP programme surpassed our original phase one target of 5,000 persons, and employed over 17,000 persons by July of last year." - However, this employment is for the SHORT TERM, and isn't sustainable.

"On the labour front, the nation experienced one of the most stable periods in its industrial relations history. This is a credit to the maturity and understanding of our worker representatives, the unions and employers. I wish to commend all who have been involved for putting the interest of Jamaica first." - Meanwhile, "trade union leaders are hopping mad that the Government is intent on going into an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) without responding to their three-month old wage claim for public sector workers." (Jamaica Observer - January 2, 2013).

"In education, which is one of the foundations of economic development, 8000 teachers from the early childhood to the secondary levels received professional development training last year." - And please, let's ignore this little row that came up last year. A mere distraction, really: "HIGH school principals are today fuming over a move by the Simpson Miller administration to terminate the engagement of the coordinators of the Career Advancement Programme (CAP) and replace them with more than 70 unemployed teachers under the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP)." (Jamaica Observer, October 1, 2012).

"In foreign affairs, we have been strategic and conscientious in rebuilding Jamaica's international image." - Yes, shelling down a club in London DOES count. "That is why we are moving apace with tax reform, public sector reform and pension reform. That is why we are making determined efforts to reduce our debt burden." - How? Don't ask me; ask Peter P.

"There is the development of the Gordon Cay Container Trans-shipment Hub, as well as the development of the Fort Augusta Container Terminal and a logistics centre." - Of course we are going to play pretend and ignore the fact that these two projects are the centre of controversy between the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Housing, and the Office of the Contractor General.

"The Jamaica Public Service Company is slated to spend over US$630 million in power plant and renewable energy projects." - Quit whining. JPS will remain a monopoly - at least for now. We're sorting that out by filing an appeal against the Supreme Court's decision.

"We must recommit ourselves to the highest levels of productivity and excellence. We must insist on the best from ourselves. Most of all, we must never give in to even the whisper of cynicism or hopelessness, but instead be agents of hope. It was from the soil of hope that our ancestors nurtured dreams of freedom from bondage and the vision of emancipation and independence. We must continue to till that soil, never letting it be overwhelmed by the flood of despair." - I honestly wish I could believe what I just told you.

"I say to you, let us unite and build. In doing so, I commit to do everything to make our economy stronger. I commit to be bold in working to solve the various problems facing our society. I commit to protecting the weak, the vulnerable, the poor, the marginalised, and I commit to dialogue, not monologue; to conversation, not confrontation; to inclusiveness, not inequality." - I know, this sounds just like my inauguration speech, but trust me, it's different. Really. It is.

"I am reminded of the people of God in the book of Nehemiah who had a desire to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, but who were being discouraged by naysayers who said they couldn't do it; and that they were too feeble. They refused to be seduced by the chants of the detractors, but continued instead to arise and build." - I mean, I might have lost everyone else during the course of this speech but I certainly haven't lost the churchgoers.

"May God bless us all as we continue this journey together." - And may God HELP Jamaica.

Durie Dee

mizd2u@yahoo.com