Online feedback

Below are edited excerpts from comments posted by online readers reacting to yesterday's article 'Budget busted!' re the likely impact of the this week's rains on the national budget.

No emergency plans?

When there's major rain, or any type of disaster, the Jamaican government always seems caught off guard, and wondering how the budget will cope. Why does this surprise anyone? Don't they plan for emergencies or have contingency funds? By virtue of its location, Jamaica is prone to heavy rainstorms, hurricanes and even earthquakes. Why does it take so long to forewarn or respond to emergencies?

We should all save for rainy days!

- PC

Banana republic without bananas

The devastation wrought by the flooding indicates our inability to deal with our environment. Our settlements are ill-planned and the infrastructural works are done by persons more recognised by their political loyalty than the required competence and skill. Our oversight agencies, with very few exceptions, are populated by political hacks.

As a people, we are not sufficiently mindful of the duties of the citizens, or else we just don't care. We are destined to remain a banana republic (with precious little bananas) for a long time.

- Jodi Letford

Flawed Budget

This shouldn't do much damage to the Budget. The government knows that this is hurricane season and should have some cash stashed away just in case of a situation like this. If they do not have such a fund set aside, then we know that the Budget that was presented to Parliament by the Golding administration was flawed and needs improvement.

- Jcan4life