The Editor, Sir:

In her article, 'Clarifying The Portia Euphoria' (Gleaner, 9/4/06), Beverley Anderson-Manley speaks of Portia Simpson Miller as the latest leader who will do what all others before her failed to do - slay the dragon of poverty in Jamaica. This time it will be done with hugs and kisses galore of the poor!!

This kind of legerdemain has gone on for too long in our country and is particularly insulting to all well-thinking Jamaicans when it is considered that Mrs. Simpson Miller has been a member of a party that has ruled the country for 17 successive years. During this time, nothing of significance was done to reduce poverty and her leadership cannot be expected to do much more, as she has demonstrated thus far.

Jamaica needs to be taken in an entirely new direction - one that does not reward cement-footed politicians with job security when they fail to perform. We need to invest in the long-term development of our people by revamping the education system and by re-energising our industrial base with lower corporate taxation.

I recently discovered from visiting the website, AudleyShaw.com, that the JLP has such a plan. After reading this plan, I concluded that a 5-year furlough for the lady and her band of cement-footed cheerleaders would not be such a bad thing for Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

Errol Williams

errol6185@aol.com

Via Go-Jamaica