Poverty has been a major political asset in this country. Over the decades, more efforts have been made towards poverty alleviation when the greater focus should have been directed at the eradication of poverty.

Martin Henry's article 'The cheap politics of poverty' in The Sunday Gleaner, is insightful and informative. I am in full agreement that "the only real cure for poverty is wealth creation''. While one of the key factors in "the capacity to generate wealth is based on property and the security of property", the fundamental remains education.

There are many families that have been enriched by the creative and productive use of their properties. At the same time, however, there are many with even large acreages which have remained poor. In contrast, there are many families which strove and ensured that their children were educated, enlightened and empowered to earn their way out of poverty, even without the security of property.

The performance and success of any government should be judged by the extent to which its policies and programmes have facilitated and ensured protection (of life, well-being and liberty), nutrition, education, job creation and recreation for its people. These are the basic factors that will ensure wealth creation and poverty eradication, a higher standard of living, increase life expectancy and, hopefully, a better quality of life for all.

I am, etc.,

DAIVE FACEY

DR Facey@gmail.com