The Sunday Gleaner of March 29 carried two articles, one, outlining the opinions of Damion Crawford, president of the People's National Party's Youth Organisation (PNPYO) and the other the views of Delano Franklyn, a former junior minister in the PNP government, about the present state of their party.

I am severely disappointed in the views expressed by the PNPYO president. Crawford, it seems, is totally blind or naive as to the true reason why there is such a great divide between the people of this country and the party. He and others like him would rather sidestep the real issues and insult the Jamaican electorate, insinuating that they are selling their votes.

Abuse of power

It is amazing and frightening that Crawford and so many others in his party, just cannot understand and accept that it was the display of contempt for the Jamaican people, the wanton abuse of power and the corrupt practices of the former government that have led to the divide that now exists between the PNP and the people of Jamaica. It is the Netservs, the Trafiguras, the light-bulb scandals and the "run wid it" speeches, which have the ire of many Jamaicans.

The Jamaican electorate has come a far way since the days of curried goat and white-rum politics, and it is my impression that the masses of people who vote, do so now on the basis of issues and on the perception of who they think will do a better job in managing the affairs of the country. It is about time that Crawford stops insulting the intelligence of the Jamaican voters.

It is quite refreshing, however, to see Franklyn articulating factual views and demonstrating an understanding of the world economic crisis and the need for members of his party to desist from using it as a political tool. His call for the PNP to enunciate credible policies and direction is a timely one.

I am etc.,

A. GENIUS

aldrane.genius@gmail.com