The Editor, Sir:

After hearing the debates by both major political parties, I must ask the voters in the upcoming election to think real hard before casting their votes. Listen carefully to what each candidate and their party leader is saying. At this point, the JLP can only tell you of their plans for our country if they are elected.

The PNP has been in power for over 18 years, so listen for their accomplishments. I implore you the voters to uplift yourselves from the tribal thinking and the favouritism of any individual candidate. The three top levels of Government in Jamaica are the leader of the ruling party, the financial leader, the crime management leader.

If you think Omar Davies has been doing a good job as Finance Minister and your living conditions are improving since he has held that position, then vote PNP. If you are dissatisfied and think Omar Davies has done a poor job and conditions in Jamaica shouldhave been better after 18 years, then vote JLP. If you think Dr. Peter Phillips has done a good job of crime management, then by all means, vote PNP. However, if you think Dr. Peter Phillips has done a poor job, crime management then vote JLP.

If you truly believe that the Hon. Portia Simpson Miller has been doing her best as Prime Minister for you the people, the youths and the economy, then vote PNP. However, if you think the leader of the JLP Mr. Bruce Golding has the ability and the best interest of you the Jamaican people at heart, then vote JLP.

Please remember that this Government, whichever it may be, will be a body that has the power to make and enforce rules and laws for you the Jamaican people, religious groups, youths, business operators and all organisations. This Government should have as its main objectives human activity, such as trade and enterprises (to create jobs for our growing population), education (to reduce illiteracy and better prepare youths for a technological world), and crime (to make Jamaica safe again for the citizens and visitors to our beautiful island).

Mighty race

In closing, I leave you my Jamaican people with some quotes from The Hon. Marcus Mosiah Garvey, "Up, you mighty race, accomplish what you will." "One God! One aim! One destiny!" "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture, is like a tree without roots." "A reading man and woman is a ready man and woman, but a writing man and woman is exact."

"There shall be no solution to this race problem until you, yourselves, strike the blow for liberty." "If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence, you have won before you have started." "Chance has never yet satisfied the hope of a suffering people." "Do not remove the kinks from your hair - remove them from your brain."

I am, etc.,

MAURICE O. DUNCAN

Orlando. FL

Via Go-Jamaica

chubbyzeeks@yahoo.com