Mark Wignall | Politicians and the midterm blues

The music and the dance around a politician follow the standard choreography. Just before elections, they spread the news that new promises are floating in the air. In fact, most are empty. Many are words poorly thought out. After the win, let the music play again as the first empty promise is reinforced with lyrical syrup.

Month after month there is less of the travelling show as the constituents begin to practise how not to vote in the next elections. As the midterm cannot keep up with the many complaints of various sectors in the communities, politicians are neither here nor there. There are, of course, those politicians actually dancing to the beat of the people’s drum. They are known and they are not many like those.

Recent polls are indicative of a less positive view of key officials in the Jamaican society. The commissioner of police seems to be in need of a new formula. The new music and dance and soliloquy issued from the stage are all out of synch.

He must ask himself, what solid achievements can he can openly demonstrate to our people that he is gaining the upper hand in beating back the pockets of organised criminality in Jamaica? What has he done to create more songs of joy instead of another drowning of dirge and tears being shed by another mother and another boom, bye, bye?

The commissioner and the security minister have it the hardest because they are tied to the nation’s coattails. When they dance with two left feet and they trip and stumble and bumble, we are the ones who fall.

At the same time, because our people knew from day one that even if Commissioner Antony Anderson had all the IQs of the brightest people in Jamaica, that could not impel him to make any significant dent in lowering the gun deaths in Jamaica.

Many of us allowed ourselves to dream even as we deliberately fooled ourselves and hoped for short-term salves when only a long term solutions would have been possible.

Thus, we are likely to consider the usual part two in the play from the stage and the music. He will eventually leave, and the nation will seek out and find another fall guy to dance to new music but on the same old scuffed up dance floor.

Minister Chang has my sympathies, but his government is hoping that the voting population will forget that his prime minister tried to politically hoodwink us a few years ago by promising us safe sleep and unlocked doors.

We know that one was macka stick covered in syrup. And we licked it like a lollipop.

A friend of mine emailed me: “The JLP government is in worries. The SOE was the last good card in their hand, and they played it, but it was not a winning hand.”

NO, STEPHEN GOLDING

Head of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) Stephen Golding has suggested that Jamaica has not been forceful in the pursuit of reparations.

He has stated that the Government should consider imposing a tax on visitors to Jamaica bearing a passport from countries that have a history of kidnapping Africans and trading in chattel slavery.

It looks viable at the first look. But how can you demand upfront funds from, say, a British citizen because it is much harder to force the hand of his country/government?

And even if the local move was set as policy in the travel and tourism sectors how, we would immediately deal with any financial fallout arising from the move?

I can easily see a young progressive British traveller agreeing to it but only on condition that his government will impose the tax at point of departure.

A great conundrum exits in making claims of reparations. Think of it. If Britain should say sorry and promise to pay us, how would we go about collecting it. We need the funds and are ethically deserving of it.

But where is our nuclear sub? Where is our armada? Moral suasion will not do it. So what do we do? Indulge in the mind games or dream of tankers loaded with gold bullion? Or wake up from the pleasant dreams?

MORE ON LISA HANNA

He is a Jamaican tax accountant living in the United States. He made reference to my recent column on Ms Hanna.

“The problem with her is that she is not a consensus builder. She must win every argument. Her point of view is the only viable one. She does not listen. On the recent PNP Diaspora tour, it was more of the same. She was always right. Her view of listening is waiting for her time to talk and set everyone straight. In the long run, the PNP will be in a better position without her. She can help Jamaica in so many other ways besides politics.”

CHEAPER CHICKEN AND WHAT ELSE?

I have seen first hand how Jamaica’s poorest families navigate their way through living in peaceful rural communities with little money. I have had more than mere glimpses of those living in violent communities and hustling each day for their meals.

The news that Jamaica Broilers has announced a lowering of whole vehicles and the big favourite, chicken parts, is a welcome one.

“Wi nuh know if it apply to we, but a have a good feeling bout dis,” said Tandy late last week as she cussed out the prime minister over everything that she voted for was possibly going wrong.

“It better him concentrate on lowering prices. If him come here looking vote, wi nuh have none round here so. Not today. Not tomorrow.”

Mark Wignall is a political and public affairs analyst. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and mawigsr@gmail.com.