The Editor, Sir:

Television advertisements, billboards, radio advertisements, and poll results attract large audiences, but when it comes to choosing a party or political representative, how much does it affect the ordinary voter? It is undeniable that Jamaica is very deep in debt, and becoming truly wealthy as a nation will take a few generations to accomplish. Jamaicans know this and want to be a wealthier nation, so development and change for the better will always be welcomed. However, Jamaicans want their own personal prosperity to run concurrently with this development.

How many people are truly comfortable with 'sucking salt through a wooden spoon' any more than we already have to? How many people are truly OK with 'it getting worse before it gets better'? I could interview twice as many people as the Johnson poll and get a resounding NONE. So, if no one (based on my poll) wants to 'suck salt through a wooden spoon until it gets better', the political choice becomes who can help the country, while allowing us to help ourselves.

Hustlers

Many of our citizens help themselves beside the system; we call them hustlers. Hustle means to push roughly, so for the purpose of this letter, a hustler can be described as someone who pushes roughly in order to survive. He or she may push 'duty-free' products (which they may or may not have bought), a taxi (which may or may not be properly insured), a lottery scam (no description necessary), or 'second-hand' auto parts, etcetera. They often pay no income taxes for their hustle's earnings, and know who to call if the law catches up. This group will undoubtedly vote for who will allow their hustle to continue, or who will make their hustle more profitable.

Many of our citizens have managed to work within the system and are surviving quite fine. They may have several rags-to-riches stories which may or may not have included a brief stay overseas. These citizens will look at which political party facilitated their financial growth and how. They might examine what is necessary for them to keep their wealth or improve it and vote along that line, or they might vote out of pure gratitude.

Meaningful change

Then there are the nine-to-fivers on average pay; the ones that throw NHT contributions but cannot buy a house; the ones that pay education tax but are dissatisfied with the educational system. These want a meaningful change. Some of them will look for the issues and how each party will address them if voted in; some will vote along tribal lines without much consideration of which political party is best equipped; and some will conclude that both parties are the same and only offer different leaders and vote for the leader they think will hear their cries and work towards helping.

Voting to some is a difficult choice between political ideologies and macroeconomic models, but for others, it is as simple as who will allow me to eat more bread. How often have you heard: "Any party in power going to rob money so mek the thief whose bag full stay in!"

We are a strong people, we will survive no matter the political party in power, but nobody wants to suck salt through a wooden spoon longer than necessary. The political choice is who can help the country, while allowing us to help ourselves.

I am, etc.,

GARY THOMPSON

GaryOThompson@yahoo.com

Montego Bay

Via Go-Jamaica