The Editor, Sir:

Any country that wishes to preserve its democratic way of life must seriously consider whether a political party that has retained power for 18 years should be voted in to spend another five years in power.

Democracy, it has been said, is not a perfect form of government, but it is the best that is available. Every Jamaican, regardless of what party he/she favours must give serious attention to this matter of preserving our democracy.

Already, some of our democratic ideals have been eroded and abused. I refer in particular to the tendency to secrecy that often bedevils our society, and the reluctance of the Government to have meaningful dialogue before important decisions are made.

Cockpit Country

Why were permits given to three bauxite companies to prospect in the environmentally-sensitive Cockpit Country if there is no intention to permit mining?

A second undemocratic tendency that has overtaken our society is the reluctance to take the steps necessary to reduce or stop police impunity in the far too numerous cases of police shooting of civilian victims.

This failure sends a cryptic message to police wrongdoers, 'It is OK to shoot anyone whom we think may be a gunman, or have committed a crime, or are even running away because of their fear of what the police may do to them'.

One only has to think of what happens in those countries that are not run along democratic principles, and ask ourselves, "Do we want that for Jamaica?"

I am, etc.,

CARLENE WILLIAMS

carlenewilliams45@hotmail.com

Portmore, St. Catherine

Via Go-Jamaica