Dear Editor,

I find it interesting, but not particularly surprising, that the media’s People’s National Party (PNP) bias is becoming more blatant as each week passes. I say not surprising as the corporate interests it represents are, no doubt, some of the many bondholders gleefully looking on as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ensures their pound of flesh is extracted from a hapless citizenry.

Let’s call a spade a spade. The big business class’s unwavering and vocal support of this Administrations slavish adherence to the IMF’s repayment dictates is motivated by raw self-interest. Despite the token sentiments occasionally mentioned by the IMF country representatives regarding social infrastructure and growth, the harsh reality is that the IMF’s primary concern and goal is to ensure repayment of debt. Everything else is secondary.

Now, how does that IMF goal sync with a nation’s growth and development? Certainly, debt should and must be repaid. Valid arguments can be made about debt forgiveness, but ultimately the fact remains that we did borrow the money and are obligated to pay it back. It is how to best achieve this, while still maintaining social stability, that seems to be the greatest challenge.

The Economic Programme Oversight Committe and its principals are firmly on the government bench. So, too, is the financial sector and most of the major corporate players. What is it that these people and groups have in common? Obviously, they have the most to gain from these policies as they make up the vast majority of the holders of local debt.

I’m no economist, but I can read and comprehend. As such, I have a few questions:

Can these financial gurus who propagandise daily on Peter Phillips’s behalf please explain why exports have continuously fallen as the dollar has devalued. If the policies being pursued are correct, isn’t the opposite supposed to happen?

Why is the inflation rate being touted as an example of successful policies, but no mention made of the effect of lower international oil prices?

Why is no direct correlation being made between the successful passing of IMF tests and chronically underfunded health, security and social services? That’s akin to a man who boasts about not missing a single loan payment on the new BMW he speeds around town in while his children’s school fees aren’t paid, electricity is cut off, and his supermarket budget has been halved.

Let’s be clear, I’m no rabid Jamaica Labour Party fan. I personally don’t think much of Andrew Holness’s leadership skills, and I believe some of the older guard need to go. Their inability to unify unless compelled to do so would be laughable if it wasn’t so dangerous for democracy. However, when faced with a choice of a lesser of two evils, to somehow see this PNP Administration as the answer is ludicrous. Where else in the world could Davies, Azan, Ferguson, Paulwell, Hylton and the other parliamentary delinquents still have a job? As a society, we need to wake up and assess for ourselves what’s going on. Swallowing the pill being fed to us isn’t going to make us better.

Rajendra Jadusingh

Bemused but concerned citizen