The Editor, Sir:

Jamaica has reached a point now where we definitely have to get back to basics. Simply put, there was a time, in the days gone by, when we were more together and supportive of each other, where the community grew our children and even if you were from a poor family you never had to go to bed hungry as the neighbour was always willing to assist in whatever way they could. That was good 'old time' Jamaica.

What is leading to our demise now is wanton selfishness. Every man wants to reach to the top now and doesn't care one 'hoot' about who gets trampled in the process.

Lacking care and attention

Take, for instance, the matter of crime and the ripple effects of rising oil prices. Crime in Jamaica is as a result of marginalisation and the neglect of a few in the society.

We seem not to care too much about the boy down the road because he is not our own. Lacking this attention and care ,the boy then turns around and rebels against the society by way of crime.

On the issue of rising oil prices, we prefer to use our already limited monetary resources to pay car loans for years than to take public transportation. How are we going to maintain this lifestyle? We just can't afford it and the sooner we realise that the better it will be for us.

The new government needs to sell Jamaica the concept of a proper public transportation system and, to a lesser extent, car-pooling, as ways to combat rising oil prices.

Adopt the concept

Let me give an example how other countries are fighting rising oil prices. Recently, I went to Panama and was staying in the city of Colon which is about two hours away from the airport in Panama City.

I was picked up by my uncle who works in Panama City, who happens to take the bus every morning to work. We took a taxi to the bus park and paid US$2 each on an express bus to Colon.

The basic concept of my relatives is the bus is cheaper, the car is for around town, supermarket and church, and for long journeys. Take the bus. Jamaica needs to adopt that concept.

I am, etc.,

MICHAEL RICKETTS

Jamaican in Cayman