Online commentary

Below are edited comments posted by online readers reacting to yesterday's lead story 'PM's Promise', outlining the prime minister's commitment to term limits for the head of government.

Not as easy as it seems

Bruce Golding wants to limit prime ministers to two terms. OK! Now remember this, the prime minister of Jamaica is not elected in the sense that an American president is. In other words, the people of Jamaica do not vote in a prime minister (PM). Prime ministers are largely by default. He/She has to be an elected member of Parliament, and leader of the party that has won the general elections.

If the PM is regulated to a two-term position, then so it will go for the leadership of the party, and that means the party will have to hold an internal election to elect a new leader who will become the next prime minister, if that party wins the next general election.

The talk is there, but nothing has changed where it really matters - in the Constitution. Bruce Golding is making this look easy. It is not, because it means a whole slew of changes to the political system and probably the Constitution, and it will be expensive.

- Dranks

A chance for change

Everyday you people say you want 'change' and now that the change is coming, you are griping about the difficulties of effecting change. Some of you actually want the status quo to be left undisturbed. Why don't you just say it: You don't want a better future for Jamaica. Done.

- Patriotic

A good thing

Term limits for the prime minister is a good thing. There should also be term limits for members of Parliament (MPs). We really need to get rid of some of these MPs who are there for decades doing nothing except making themselves and their friends rich and believing they own Jamaica.

- Pauline W

The new school year has begun with students settling into their new grades. Parents, however, are still counting the cost of preparing their charges for the classroom. The Gleaner took to the streets to find out how the six per cent increase in book prices were affecting parents and their budgets. See the video at www.jamaica-gleaner.com/videos.

Interviews and Media Production: Fiona Dixon-Loney