The Editor, Sir:

Most Jamaicans are great admirers of the United States of America and we tend to copy all that they do with the exception of the new president, Barack Obama, who in all his speeches continually repeated the mantra of working together for the good of all.

We remain a cantankerous lot and our politicians are very good at 'tracing' each other.

It is time that our politicians take stock of themselves and learn to put Jamaica first. In doing this, they will send a message to their followers and, hopefully, the followers would also make the change.

With the global financial meltdown, it is imperative that whichever party is in power put in place policies for us to cut back on imports and increase exports.

The first thing we must do is to feed ourselves and this means total support for our farmers. I am sure that once you give this support to our farmers, they will come up roses.

'Take sleep and mark death'

It is also going to be very difficult to get to the United States, United Kingdom or any other country as these countries will be forced to close their borders to outsiders so that they can look after the needs of their own people. We must 'take sleep and mark death'.

It is time that we all grow up and realise that we must come up by our own boot straps and stop looking for handouts. If we all work together, we will succeed. Yes, we can.

I am, etc.,

BARBARA COVER

Kingston 6