THE EDITOR, Sir:

Despite the results of the December 5, 2007 local government elections favouring the Jamaica Labour Party, the gains made by the People's National Party are encouraging. The result in St. Ann which is similar to that in Clarendon in the 2003 polls signals that once again a call is being made to champion the spirit of cooperation that this country so badly needs.

Isn't it ironic that all the major polls since mid-year have indicated that support for the two major parties is basically even and uncommitted voters in these times hold pride of place as they determine most outcomes? Where does this position leaves us, as a nation, in moving forward?

Many times we hear politicians speaking about consensus and cooperation and it seems that now is the ideal time to trumpet this movement. Imagine the tremendous gains that could be made if there was unity and a sense of purpose in Jamaicans working together to build this country.

Over the years the psyche of the Jamaican people has been severely damaged by various social, political and economic factors and not since Michael Manley's charismatic leadership of the '70s have Jamaicans truly believed that this country could be energised to reach its true potential.

We need to recapture this feeling, and it is only through strong leadership in all sectors of society that this can happen. No more talk shop seminars, studies, prayer and power breakfasts and visits by motivational speakers and preachers whose legacy is the flight of scarce foreign exchange.

Jamaica needs a shot in the arm not only economically, but in the mind of its people to be positive, industrious and upright in our dealings among ourselves and others. Our people must understand that a penchant for false hair and fingernails, bleaching, badmanism, and over-indulgence in stage shows and hot cars et cetera are temporary.

'Ghettoisation'

Which other sovereign nation allows dances during mid-week to end at 7:00 a.m. and have patrons blocking thoroughfares while persons are impeded on their way to work? The spirit of 'ghettoisation' that seems to be growing cannot be the way forward or we are doomed. Many high school children cannot even speak a sentence in English much less write one in patois. Isn't this a problem for our education system? The crass and utterly disgraceful behaviour by some of us especially when we travel overseas has lead many nations to now institute visas to restrict our movement.

The time is ripe for our leaders to unite in all sectors and share a common vision of prosperity for this nation where children and adults can be educated to understand that nation building is a collective effort where everyone has a stake and relationships are built on trust and not 'ginnalship', 'let off', 'ray ray' and 'bling bling'.

I am, etc.,

DUDLEY I.H. MCFARLANE

dudsjnr@hotmail.com