THE EDITOR, Sir:
RE: "CAN Jamaica realise its true potential" by Julian Reynolds: I am sure many well thinking Jamaicans have weighed in on the issue of how to further develop Jamaica for all Jamaicans. I know I have sent proposals to people in leadership positions and all you get is a perfunctory response. Lukewarm at best. They may say you have great ideas, but never ask you to provide any development or flow chart on how to implement. Sometimes you will see a bastardised version of what you propose.
My conclusion is that only the same few people must control everything, period. If you don't have certain names or if certain people don't know you, your ideas cannot be worth much. It is obvious there is a bankruptcy of leading-edge ideas that pervades the private and public sector. Every time we are faced with a demand to reorganise, recreate or improve the system, we run to England the current crime control issue comes to mind. If the ideas are not foreign, they will not pay any attention to them.
The so-called "lower class" people were the ones who put Jamaica on the international map and have sustained it internationally through music and culture.
I hope those who have long laboured in the vineyards of music and culture will continue to create and spread the Jamaica brand name. Seemingly, you are the only ones who understand that value. To Mr. Reynolds, I would be delighted to make contact with you. It is refreshing to learn about people like you.
I am etc.,
CARL BRYAN
zarkon@bellsouth.net
Via Go-Jamaica