Dear Editor,
Let's indulge ourselves for a fleeting moment in a thought outside the box, a pinch of logic, and a dash of common sense.
We all agree that crime is an inhibitor to Jamaica's economic growth -- there's not a dissenting voice within earshot, not even from political tribalists. The folks who claim expertise in economic matters tell us that the primary surplus target imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is punishing, and also a inhibitor to economic growth, as Jamaica is said to have reached its taxable limit.
Under the IMF diktat, this Administration has set records in speed and quantity of legislative and other changes that it has effected. Apparently the prospect of foregoing that quarterly IMF allowance purposefully concentrates the mind and stiffens the political will.
The IMF folks are said to be smart, although frankly the fan club of those who believe the Washington-based body can lift poor nations out of poverty has rapidly diminished over the past 40 years.
Given all of the above, why can't a supposed smart IMF and a submissive Government agree to cut Jamaica some slack by reducing the primary surplus target while setting a new primary crime limit; say 175 murders a quarter? Try that and just watch the murder rate drop.
But a warning! Students of economics better not posit this theory to their professors, lest they get a failing grade. It ain't in the textbook.
Errol W.A. Townshend
Ontario, Canada
ewat@rogers.com
Make crime reduction an IMF target
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Let's indulge ourselves for a fleeting moment in a thought outside the box, a pinch of logic, and a dash of common sense.
We all agree that crime is an inhibitor to Jamaica's economic growth -- there's not a dissenting voice within earshot, not even from political tribalists. The folks who claim expertise in economic matters tell us that the primary surplus target imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is punishing, and also a inhibitor to economic growth, as Jamaica is said to have reached its taxable limit.
Under the IMF diktat, this Administration has set records in speed and quantity of legislative and other changes that it has effected. Apparently the prospect of foregoing that quarterly IMF allowance purposefully concentrates the mind and stiffens the political will.
The IMF folks are said to be smart, although frankly the fan club of those who believe the Washington-based body can lift poor nations out of poverty has rapidly diminished over the past 40 years.
Given all of the above, why can't a supposed smart IMF and a submissive Government agree to cut Jamaica some slack by reducing the primary surplus target while setting a new primary crime limit; say 175 murders a quarter? Try that and just watch the murder rate drop.
But a warning! Students of economics better not posit this theory to their professors, lest they get a failing grade. It ain't in the textbook.
Errol W.A. Townshend
Ontario, Canada
ewat@rogers.com
Make crime reduction an IMF target
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