The Editor, Sir:

The time is drawing near when the men and women in green and orange, despite not having presented any practical solution to take the country forward, will try to play on the emotions and sympathy of the Jamaican populace in an attempt to solicit votes and win the next general election. This has been the nature of Jamaican politics from the time of the trade unionist, when the people wanted 'bred' (sorry, 'breda'), to the time of the lawyer which was termed 'a black man time now'.

Listening to the way politicians speak to the masses is even worse. For example, I recently heard Mr. Golding saying on CVM TV news, "When I was a bwoy fi mi muma and pupa neva haffi pay tuition fees." Whilst I have no problem with the use of our native language, I am sure Golding would never speak to his children at home like this because they understand when he speaks the Queen's English; but the Jamaican populace does not and this is testament to our performance in CXC English.

We all should be ashamed, but this problem is not endemic to one party; it manifests itself right across the floor. I am reminded of Karl Marx who strongly believed that politicians are unwilling to assist in educating the population because they know they will not be able to control the people. Instead they prefer to speak in the language of the people when the need arises, bless them with a Nanny ($500) and 100 baby chickens. Then they whisper in your ear, "vote fi me".

I am, etc:

ROGER A. VASSELL

roger.vassell@uwimona.com

Via Go-Jamaica