For our Thomas Cook visitors...

[Jamaica Jeff]

Rob,

I am sure that with you living HERE that you read the Observer, Gleaner etc on a daily basis as I do including when I am not living for a good part of the year in Negril.

Sorry for the use of the word "fact" (not surprised that you chose to split hairs on the word not the issue) but if you read any government related newspaper article the general gist is typically the government/authorities proclaiming how excellent government and the delivery of government services are in Jamaica. Many disagree. That's my opinion and that of many of my neighbours, friends etc in Jamaica.

I am not sure what the sales tax in NYC has to do with the GCT (thanks for clarifying the 16.5% part) and I agree that a discussion of GCT can be boring. Not boring for the Jamaican government when you take in to consideration what percentage of their total revenue is derived from the GCT.

The IMF? You don't say? I didn't realize that. So the airport related fees that the Jamaican government collect go to the IMF?

Before you take the time to answer let me clarify that the above is rhetorical SARCASM. Perfect civilized. Actually a common type of subtle and sometimes not so subtle communication especially favoured by the British. The same British whos High Commissioner when asked for a statement (as he would have been asked by many, many countries affected by the Thomas Cook bankruptcy) chose to make a blanket and seemingly generic statement which is the common and polite thing to do.

I am not sure where you are going with the human hours in Jamaica being worth just as much as in any other country? Did I indicate or infer otherwise?

I admire your love of Jamaica and your desire to promote and protect all things Jamaican but you may want to consider that others are entitled to their opinions just as you are. Constantly jumping on anyone who speaks their mind is quite common in Jamaica. Encouraging free speech and an independent media has been cited by Transparency International as one way to improve certain problems in Jamaica.

I do not live here full time and have only been coming to Jamaica for 33 years but I do strive to learn as much as I can as often as I can.

That being said thank-you for providing this forum.

Respect.