The Editor, Sir:

I was very pleased to learn of the prime minister's attempt to connect with the citizens of this country via the call-in programme, 'Jamaica House Live', because I believe that any good leader must spend time listening to his/her followers, hear their concerns and suggestions, and give them some form of hope. I thank the prime minister for taking time out of his schedule to do this once per month, and I was very happy to know that the 'ordinary man' could have a say in what affects him.

I was therefore very insulted by Gary Spaulding, Dionne Jackson-Miller and Peter Bunting's comment, summarising that it was boring and a waste of the prime minister's time. My 10-year-old son spent all of that hour trying to call the prime minister to make a suggestion on a matter that he thought was important to him as a child, an he was not successful in talking with the PM, he plans to try again next month.

Role of the 'ordinary man'

My son is a citizen of this country and has every right to air his concern no matter how unimportant Gary, Dionne and Peter think it is. The 'ordinary man' is always left out of important decisions and many times their views make a big difference. If the prime minister wants to take one hour each month to connect with the people, then so be it.

I am, etc.,

An Ordinary and

Appreciative Citizen

ligro_jj@yahoo.com