Dear Editor,

In a bid to strike a deal with the International Monetary Fund for some well-needed funds for the ailing economy of Jamaica, the Bruce Golding administration has resorted to what some would consider unreasonable measures, with many critics raising eyebrows on the management of the economy. There have even been calls for the resignation of Finance Minister Audley Shaw. The manner in which new taxes were dished out to the country and the seeming lack of consultation on the issue had many Jamaicans fuming for some time.

A new year has dawned and many have greeted it with the worried cry of survival, as the cost of living has skyrocketed because of the taxes imposed to fill the loopholes in the fiscal budget. This burden is not going to be easily carried, as the global recession looms and the tally of the unemployed inches upward.

However, this dismal state of affairs does not end there, for Jamaicans are yet to brace for more as, according to the pundits, 2010 will even be worse financially. This does not bode well for business or the nation, as the volatile crime and violence facing our country could escalate astronomically if this situation continues.

Our country is obviously in turmoil, and this demands that the Government revisit the drawing board and re-examine the policies that will effect change for the future.

Ardaine Gooden

Mandeville, Manchester

ardaineg@yahoo.com