Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Miami, Florida:

Jamaican Republicans in Florida are equating United States President-elect Barack Obama's redistribution of wealth by the hands of government to policies of the late Michael Manley, former prime minister of Jamaica.

"I am looking at the US economic systems through the lens of a capitalist, versus some of Obama's policies which tend to reflect some elements of socialism," Levi Williams, general counsel for the Broward Repu-blican executive committee, told The Gleaner.

Williams, an attorney-at-law, said democratic socialism didn't work for Jamaica and would not work for the United States.

Williams has received the backing of fellow lawyer, Derwent Donaldson, who said each time he listens and watches Obama he is reminded of the days of Michael Manley, "who turned out to be a major disappointment to the Jamaican people".

Lot of hope

Donaldson, who was a youngster in the 1970s, said with the former prime minister, he had a lot of hope, which he lost because of false promises "that couldn't be kept".

Accordingly, as a capitalist, he says he becomes wary when governments start telling you they are going to do things.

"Government's job is to protect us from harm, not take care of our personal needs. Why would someone take away my hard-earned money to give to someone else?" he asked, adding that Obama's, like Manley's, policies are socialist-oriented.

"When you talk about wealth from the bottom up, that is downright socialism," he argued.

Miami attorney Marlon Hill, in responding to the inferences, said as Republicans both men were entitled to their opinion, but to insinuate that Obama has socialist tendencies was a concerted effort to discredit his character and to create fear in Americans.

"It is unfounded characterisation of his vision for America. His vision is to move the economy back on track to create more job opportunities for Americans who are middle class and to restore in the rest of the world," he said. "Let's talk about our economic policy differences, but not make unfair inferences and have an honest debate."

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com