The Editor, Sir:

Economics has always been a delicate balance between consumption and production. The nexus between these two poles has been kept dynamic by obscurities such as people's emotions, political persuasions, dominant philosophies, wars, scientific breakthroughs, and natural occurrences such as hurricanes, tsunamis, etc.

The point is consumption, production and growth are not related in the simplistic way some of us would like to think.

For example, all of Europe is famous for its tendency to indulge in consumption, long vacations and generous welfare policies. Yet Europe has held its own for hundreds of years, contributing to every aspect of world economic progress.

Vacation must be justified

The US, on the other hand, believes in its work ethic to the extent that even one day off, as vacation from work, must be well justified.

And yet, presently, both Europe and the US are steeped in economic realities up to their foreheads in debt corporate extravagances and high unemployment. So, the solution to a better world economy and Jamaica's, for that matter, may very well rest somewhere in the middle. The point, I think, to which Mr Danny Roberts, the trade unionist, recently alluded.

One of the most far reaching stimuli along the lines of which Mr Danny Roberts speaks, should be the redevelopment of the Jamaica Railway Corporation. This would create thousands of jobs. The spin-offs would be just as impacting and self-sustaining. The money for this could be raised from multiple sources, including the Diaspora, provided the necessary guarantees are in place.

What Jamaica lacks most right now is sound leadership. Jamaica could do well with someone who can inspire, yet have sound judgement - a balance between pragmatism and politics. We need a 'Barack'.

Our greatest need, in the long run, is to make up our minds where we are going as a nation. Part of that decision should be to, once, and for all, times, leave the IMF alone. That institution is not our friend.

I am etc.,

Kenneth Reeves

reeves909@bellsouth.net

Georgia, USA