Dear Editor,

This morning (March 13) the popular radio show host, Jenny Jenny, offered erroneous commentary when she likened the government’s new IMF-driven policies and strategies to communism. No Jenny Jenny, these are capitalist strategies, driven by an external funding agency that was specifically set up to ensure the sustainability of capitalism, at times when the inevitable crises may cause nations to opt out of that system in their quest for survival.

Socialist and communist policies and strategies favour the working class, farmers, women, students, teachers, nurses, doctors – everyone except those who seek to amass excessive wealth at the expense of the rest of the nation. One of the primary aims of socialist and communist policies is poverty eradication. The policies and strategies that the government is pursuing will create more poverty, unemployment and homelessness, and force more people to get involved in criminal activities as a means of survival. Socialist and communist governments engage the population in decision-making on crucial issues, not just the business class.

The late Hugo Chavez was leading a peaceful socialist revolution in Venezuela. Under his leadership, poverty was reduced from 70.8% to 21% between 1996 and 2010, spending on social programmes was increased by 60.6%, and education is free from day care to university. The socialist country, Cuba, which experienced 2.5% economic growth in 2012, without an IMF deal, has eradicated illiteracy and provides free health care and free education at all levels, including continuing education. Cuba engaged over eight million of its approximately 11-million population in the discussion of its proposed new economic guidelines. Three million people made recommendations for changes. That is real people’s democracy in action.

The fact is that Jamaica has been run by capitalist governments since independence in 1962. There was a slight detour from 1972 to 1980, but Jamaica remains locked within the capitalist system, and this makes it very vulnerable to the inevitable crises of capitalism. Unless we abandon capitalism, we will be having déjà vu over and over again, as the poor, all working people and students, will continue to be called upon to bear the burden of repeated efforts to rescue the system.

Jenny Jenny, it is commendable that you are trying to discuss serious issues on your show. The fact that you are working in the mass media means that you are in a position to inform and educate even in light commentary. Therefore, you have a responsibility to get the facts right.

Barbara Reynolds, PhD

babsyreynolds@gmail.com