I am writing in response to the front caption of Sunday's Gleaner - 'EXODUS!' This is exactly what the situation will be not only for nurses and young professionals but for small business owners like myself. In 2003, on completing my master's degree from the University of New Orleans, I was commissioned along with others to go out and create employment for others.

In 2006, I did just that. I began a marketing consulting practice catering to the needs of small- and medium-size businesses. This is the group of persons who, according to US statistics, make up 90 per cent of their economy. I'm sure it's quite similar for Jamaica.

This group found it extremely hard to pay for services to market their goods and services and now they will not even bother to look in that direction. The European Union and Private Sector Development Programme did a lot to help this sector, but that source of funding has come to an end. How do we grow a country without growing the small-business sector? What is the plan for that sector? With all input costs up, how will they compete with their counterparts in the Caribbean?

Justify increasing taxes

How can this Government justify increasing taxes three times in one year? Could this happen in the US? Why do we stand by and watch the Government destroy this country? Our debt situation is very bad, I agree, but now the Government wants us to pay 90 cents out of every dollar we earn so that they can reduce their $1.30 in every $1 debt.

I never ever, in all my 39 years, dreamt that I would leave Jamaica. My five siblings all migrated in excess of 10 years ago to the US and Europe and they always ask me: "What are you still doing in Jamaica? What are you holding on to?" I was committed to making it work, I was committed to playing my part, but I simply cannot do it anymore. A month ago, I gave up my office space to return to my home office in order to cut out some overheads. Now I must give up my practice in Jamaica altogether. I am very upset and traumatised as the Government is forcing me to leave my country.

I still cannot see myself living anywhere else, I really do not want to live anywhere else, but when I look at the next 10 years, it will be no better than now and I don't have the luxury of time. Government officials cannot afford to live in squalor and so they refurbish houses to the cost of $80 million of taxpayers' money, purchase expensive chairs and desks for their lavish offices, fly first class on airlines, stay in five-star hotels when they travel, attend lavish parties, and buy expensive clothing.

The working class of this country, on the other hand, cannot afford decent houses, furniture, send their children to school or even to take a family vacation because every dollar we earn literally goes from hand to mouth. As a matter of fact, it can't even reach the mouth.

No trust in Government

I am very sure that young professionals, small-business owners, etc, would give 90 cents in every dollar to dig the country out of the present position if we trusted the Government and if they could show us the 'plan'. There is no plan. They are like headless chickens creating a lot of mess.

So 'Exodus' it will be for new university graduates, nurses, young professionals to construction workers and business owners. We simply must find another country to live in where government officials are fair and just. Where government officials go to jail when they are found to be guilty of defrauding the people of their hard-earned dollar.

I am, etc.,

ON MY WAY OUT

Manchester