Online feedback

Below are edited excerpts from comments posted on by online readers relating to yesterday's lead story 'Portia vows tax breaks'.

Change how things are done

Words spoken at a political conference are all well and good, but let's not lose sight of the fact that this is the equivalent of preaching to the choir. Both the People's National Party (PNP) and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) have leaders who can supposedly wax eloquent, but who have proven that, in terms of actually leading, they are no shining beacons on the proverbial hill.

Both the JLP and PNP have done Jamaica and Jamaicans wrong over the years. I find it difficult to believe that a PNP led by Portia Simpson Miller, and featuring too many of the corrupt who helped to define it in its 18-plus years in power, would be any different should they regain power in 2012.

It can no longer be about a change in which party controls the levers of power, but it has to be about reforming government and how things are done.

No more tax breaks

How are these tax breaks going to be funded? If you collect less taxes, how are you planning to take care of our bills?

I guess 'Run Wid it' plans to return to borrowing at very high interest rates to support this move. Absolute nonsense!

The number of tax breaks offered in this country is mind-boggling when one looks at the return we receive from the sectors that are the beneficiaries of these breaks.

I say no more tax breaks! Instead, use the taxes that are being lost in these sectors to fix our broken health and educational system. This will bring about long-term benefits as we look to extract ourselves from the deep hole we are in today.

- Jayjayja

Big chat and promises

I am not for Bruce Golding, but why didn't Portia Simpson Miller do all these things when she was prime minister? People should realise by now that politicians are full of big chat and promises.

What Portia should have explained to the people is why she and the rest of the Opposition did not vote to extend the state of emergency that was working so well. She should have told them how many policemen and citizens have been killed since they shot down the extension of the state of emergency. Everyone should look to God as their leader.

- Dego Emerald