I quote from your 'Letter of the Day' of March 9 thus:

" The continuing debate with regard to dual citizenship as it relates to the Constitution, fades into insignificance when placed against the real problems plaguing the Jamaican society. If measured by a scale of priorities, dual citizenship would be rated as insignificant when the real issues of a deficit economy, uncontrollable crime and the derogation of decency, order and civility are factored in ..."

The writer sums up the current indulgence very accurately! However, there is a fundamental point that seems to have escaped him, in his apparent sincerity of thought.

Every country is built on a Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land. The founding fathers of Jamaica, among them Edward Seaga, in their wisdom, saw it fit to include such a clause. Every clause, statement of the constitution was included with the aim of promoting decency, the rule of law and good order, prosperity and civility among citizens.

Speak up

Some sections, such as that dealing with the qualifications to sit in Parliament, today, seem mystifying. I believe a few of the founding fathers are still alive and would be best able to enlighten the nation about those sections. As a public service, they should now speak up!

In the meantime, I will offer my own opinion. I believe that section was included to ensure that the former ruling planter class, after the attainment of Independence, could not, by virtue of their former status as British citizens (allegiance to foreign power) and wealth, come back to power, thus negating the independence the sons of Jamaica had laboured for. Further, to ensure that the local courts could not be overruled on any situation relating to who sits in parliament, it was expressly stated that the Court of Appeal's decisions were final in relation to election petitions. This ensured that the Privy Council in London could not sneak in any of the former ruling class into the House by their judgments.

Perhaps it is time for a review of this and other sections of the constitution; but as he rightly points out, it is not a priority. So, in the meantime, the existing laws must be respected and obeyed until such time as those conditions raised are overcome. Let me warn, there may be a long wait!

I am, etc.,

NORMAN LEE

namronlee@rogers.com

Brampton

Ontario