The Editor, Sir:

I find the call from the Rev. Devon Dick in The Gleaner of Tuesday, October 9, for the resignation of Finance Minister Audley Shaw over the issue of promises made to the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) quite intriguing.

Even though Rev. Dick has singled out Shaw others have been calling on the Government to stick by promises made prior to the general election.

While this seems the noble thing for the Government to do, I am a bit perplexed that so many of our 'erudite' minds seem to be logging on to this concept as though we are not all aware of the 'love talk' that often precedes an election. I can recall a famous pledge made by former Prime Minister Michael Manley who reneged on a promise to remove the cess from students at the University of the West Indies, much to the chagrin of the students.

Now, I am not saying that Shaw should not be called on to live up to his promises, but what I find disturbing is the emphasis being placed on this 'promise'. It is as though our nurses' only reason for voting in the general election was their selfish desire to see a doubling of their wages. If this is so, what then separates them from the 'pork barrel' mentally that so many have claimed is a ghetto thing?

I am, etc.,

PATRICK WALKER

tracovic@yahoo.com