Foreign investment Finance Minister Omar Davies warned Opposition Leader Bruce Golding to be careful on his comments regarding the Japanese buying Mirant's 80 per cent stake in the Jamaica Public Service. Davies was concerned about Golding's comments "scaring away foreign investors". Davies and his government need to apply the rule of law and order.
There are many Jamaicans in North America who are willing to put their investments in Jamaica albeit small. The problem is the extortion rackets and the attendant violence which seem to be spreading like cancer. This is the real scare for many small investments.
So Davies need to shut up rather than blurting drivel. No occasional "big time investment" is going to pull Jamaica out of its problems. It is Jamaicans, particularly those outside of the country, with their small investments in the construction of houses, establishing small businesses, etc., in Jamaica who will contribute to meaningful economic growth. So, Mr. Davies, do something about crime.
- Mark Soutar, masoutar@hotmail.com, Pembroke Pines, FL, Via Go-Jamaica
Campaign fundingI think that state funding of political parties' campaign should not be instituted because as The Gleaner reported, most are expecting favours from whoever forms the Government. This is where corruption really starts, and for a political party to start governing on that note is to begin on the wrong footing, so, in reality, corruption will not cease, regardless of who is in power. The Trafigura affair is a good example, but it is really hypocrisy for the JLP to criticise this while accepting campaign finances from their own sources.
- A. Mclean, Alimc@yahoo.com, Bloomfield, Ct., Via Go-Jamaica
Appalling incidentLet me say I am, like most others, greatly saddened and disheartened by the shooting of Seventh-day Pastor Egnol Grant. This incident is absolutely appalling, and only goes to show that while Jamaica has many positives, the rampant depravity of some of the citizens remains totally out of control. Though I migrated to the U.S.A. many years ago, there are positive people like Pastor Grant who remain etched in my mind. The only question one can ask is 'why'?
I wish Pastor Grant a speedy recovery. I can only pray that he will resume his diligence as a super pastor. Unfortunately, the perpetrators of such crimes are seldom apprehended and face the justice they deserve. I am confident that our God - Supreme Judge of the Highest Court - will hand down His judgement to them in due time.
- Andrea Douglas, nadoug#rcn.com, Washington, DC, Via Go-Jamaica
