Despite the criticisms of People's National Party president, Portia Simpson Miller, I believe she is a rare gift to Jamaica. She is a charismatic, astute visionary who cares deeply about the people and the future of Jamaica. She is an unselfish leader who never places personal ambitions ahead of her public duty.

This talented and gifted leader is restrained from letting her light shine because of bad-minded and prejudiced people who oppose her because she is a strong woman in a chauvinistic society.

'Big brains'

She is also held up to ridicule by uptown people because she is one of the few politicians who consistently advocates for the poor and downtrodden. She consistently proposes changes that would "lift all boats", and the defenders of the status quo just as consistently attack her for her advocacy. According to Marcus Garvey, "If one wants to do good for the masses of Jamaica, 'big brains' will plot, conspire, and do everything to destroy you and your name."

Our country will be judged by how we treated people in need and what we did to educate, house, feed, clothe and provide economic opportunity, prosperity and security for all Jamaicans. All she strives to do is meet the good people of Jamaica where they are (not where we would like them to be), equip them to be better participants in society, and empower them to build a good life for themselves, their families, and their communities. In contrast, we live in a sound-bite world and people make very quick decisions about politicians based on very limited information. It has been a great privilege for my wife and I to really sit down with Sister P and hear at length what she is about.

The more I get to know her, the more convinced I am that Jamaica would be in great hands under her leadership, and what Jamaica needs right now is to change the party in power. My feeling is: If you want anything said, ask Mr Golding. If you want anything done, ask Sister P. Thunder is good, but it is lightning that does the work.

I am, etc.,

BASIL WAINE KONG

Kingston 10