How and why must we sit back and allow politicians to continue ruining our country with the introduction of this new $5,000 note?

We are all not ignorant in this country to sit and take everything and every excuse/reasoning 'they' throw at us. We can reason things out ourselves and see that:

The country's economy is in a state of decline.

We are unproductive.

We have high levels of unemployment and illiteracy.

Our dollar has no value, etc.

What we don't want is a higher banknote. This will not solve the miserable problems plaguing our country and its economy. This only puts us in a further bad light in the global eyes. What are we trying to do, compete with Haiti and Zimbabwe?

Find solutions to our woeful problems such as creating employ-ment as was promised during the election campaign.

Build factories that we need so badly, that you have condemned the former government of closing down or selling out. I agree, we need more factories and sources of employment for our people.

Stop importation

Let us all as citizens, with you (the Government) at the helm, increase productivity in the bauxite/alumina, construction, manufacturing and services industries; stop the import of certain ground provisions, e.g. Irish potatoes, carrots etc. and, support our local farmers; and, finally, stop the dollar from sliding.

Right now, the debate should not be whose figure should be on the new note, be it Bob or Hugh or Miss Lou. We should not feel pleased about this but rather disgusted and ashamed at the fact that our dollar has devalued and will soon become meaningless, regardless of whose face is on it.

Let us stop, think and act now and pull hands and minds together to revalue our dollar and reverse this decision before September.

I am, etc.,

A. Samuels

asbugs@yahoo.com

Kingston 19