Leadership in the wrong places

[Karl]

I would like to know when we produced a lot?

It has never been in our history where our production of goods for export has been such to satisfy expectations of the people. ...all that has occurred over the years is expectations have grown faster than production for export can support.

Assasin: You forget that we are coming out of slavery - majority where slaves. Majority were "have nots"!

It is still the case. What our government can do is provide opportunity for improved education that will lead to our people being able to take advantage of oportunities at home and outside of the island.

I am thinking - my thinking runs along the line - one I have been consistently speaking to - that no Jamaica government of itself will ever be able to provide 100% employment. There are factors such as longer life expectancy and greater population growth for example that impact such as the aim for 100% employment...and, thus greater economic standing of higher %age of the population.

There are others...some alluded to/touched on by Luenamme and some previously others on this board.

[Karl]

Education has gone backwards in the last 18 years.

It is the main reasons that I hear people giving for migrating.

Not too sure of that!
My sister sent her daughter back to Jamaica for elementary through secondary school...switching to the country in which she had citizenship only when she was ready to enter University (College).

I could have taken my daughter to school here also...but, she started in Jamaica and has done very well so far - Just entering UWI last week...but, I may switch her to school here if she so desires.

[Peter R]

First, i don't have any problem with the idea that individuals should empower themselves and take advantage of oportunities out there.

Second, show me where I complained about anything. I simply asked two questions.

Third, and probably most important is the almost undisputed fact that there are relatively more poor, destitute and folks who see no future for themselves than ever. Now, I can hear you say that is fi dem fault... but Government has it's own role to play in engendering change; by providing quality education and health care, facilitating a healthy environment for investment, (and while you can point to Grace etc.) many more Jamaicans will flee to ports where they can establish a business and feel relatively secure that interest rates, fx rates, crime rates, corruption etc won't "grine" dem. That is simply good business sense, especially when you don't have old money, or deep pockets.

Many of these same jamaicans would rush home in a heart beat if they thought these factors were being managed more predictably, regardless of who is in power.

Anyway, I'm simply an armchair economist, and 'is jus so mi seeit.

pr

[Jawge]

Well Bruce himdself says it: Crime
fluctuates according to the party in power. In the debate he says the minute JLP left office crime rose significantly. Now it will go back down; only the JLP can control crime in JA.

[Karl]

...btw - let me quickly say I have no quarrel with you.

...but, we have come out of a period (pre-1944) - slavery - where the majority where destitute. So I would think the numbers over the years would show %age-wise that higher numbers were destitute in earlier years...while actual numbers of persons currently destitute would be larger than say 1944, 1949, 1955...etc. through to 2007.

Any government of the day will have serious problems satisfying expectations. I believe the best that can be done by our succeeding governments is do all in its power to move closer to towards preparing all our young to tackle the problems life shall throw them.

Prepare all to be able to -inside and outside of the island - improve selves.

[Peter R]

L,

The crime rate in TT by almost all measures, murder, robbery, kidnappings are all significantly down this year over last year (hope the trend continues).

pr