Despite the brand value Jamaica has gotten recently, our reputation is not dis-similar to Nigeria and her notorious Internet scammers. Cynicism here about American lotto scam victims is terribly jarring. Surely, anyone stupid enough to part with money on the promise of winnings from a lottery they did not enter deserves to lose it. This is payback for these elderly Americans, some Jamaicans say. It is their reparation! Such callousness to justify deception and robbery with the ignorant view that Americans have money should trouble us deeply. Read article
Lotto scam cynicism
No returning islanders, no foreign dollars
More and more overseas Jamaicans are opting not to retire in their homeland, scared off by our staggering violent crime rate. Over the last 20 years, the annual number of "returning nationals" has dropped by more than half, down to slightly more than 1,000 in 2011. With their pensions estimated at 15 percent of the $2 billion foreign currency inflow from overseas nationals the Government has good reason to be dismayed by the slow down. Read article
The economics of natural talent
Jamaica is too rich to be poor. That is, rich in natural talent. Steve Lyston urges us to tap these invaluable human resources and stop waiting for politicians to bail us out. It is not the job gained through academic success that brings you fame and fortune but your God-given natural talents. John Public is proof of this, says the Biblical Economics consultant, as he merely works to pay taxes and bills. Lyston shares ideas on how best to harness these natural gifts. Read article
Just hang up
Once again we’re making international headlines for all the wrong reasons. Dan Rather’s stinging television exposé shines a light on the Jamaica lotto scam and its devastating consequences on vulnerable US seniors bilked of their life savings. The thriving illegal telephone scam brings in an estimated $300 million annually to Jamaica’s economy. Rather hopes the investigative report will lead to more awareness and fewer victims. Read article I Watch excerpt
Uncertainty in post-Chávez Caribbean
PetroCaribe-reliant nations have good reason to be nervous. The death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has put the concessionary oil arrangement in doubt and 17 Caribbean countries could loose a critical economic lifeline. The deciding factor will be Venezuela’s presidential race next month. Whatever the outcome, Sir Ronald Sanders says the time is long past for a collective investment in the region’s energy security that is not a repeat of this enormous dependence not even on one country, but on one man. Read article
