Advice to the media and the JLP

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Dear Editor,

The PNP understands the rough and tumble of the Jamaican electorate. The JLP needs to catch up. Under two brilliant, well-intentioned leaders, in Bruce Golding and Andrew Holness, the JLP lost the December 29, 2011 general election.

Why?

Because they did not trumpet the great achievements in free health care, education, great macroeconomics, great tourism pull, good governance -- all done in four short years. Persons are benefiting from lower mortgage rates never seen before, but who cares about that? After all, leaders who represent well abroad are absolutely unnecessary.

Well, a few days into her five-year term Mrs Simpson Miller has already started to do a turnaround on things she cursed out the former administration about, like the size of the Cabinet. Is it that, with her 20-member Cabinet, we have found the excess money to splurge?

What does the size of a Cabinet have to do with seats won? Is there a ratio? Already Mr Anthony Hylton appears to be backtracking on reopening the scrap metal trade.

I would advise the media and talk show hosts to engage in lively debates on these issues, and stop being so openly biased. We are not all educationally deficient out here. We are watching.

And to the Opposition, be very active and vibrant, you don't need to be as disruptive and unco-operative as the PNP was, but stand up, you are representing almost as many as the PNP.

Mr Bruce Golding is sadly missing. Opposition, please keep him on speed dial. The unity the PM is asking for now is a little late in the day. We could have used that much earlier.

Norma Elm

normaworks@hotmail.com