Give Jamaica something, PNP

I am very concerned about the citizens of Jamaica. We need a virile and viable political system that provides worthwhile choices and not simply the lesser of two evils.

Almost four years ago, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) took office amid serious financial turmoil and from a People's National Party (PNP) that aggrieved the nation with several credibility and managerial problems. The JLP promised a bright new era to Jamaican politics. Although several positive outcomes regarding the economy and crime emerged, political priorities superseded good governance in other areas.

Ultimately, the JLP's term of office has been irreparably marred by the mother of all foul-ups: the Coke extradition debacle. This administration still doesn't seem to get it - it not only wilfully and decidedly deceived the citizens of Jamaica, it abused and used the Constitution of Jamaica conveniently and broke the hearts of our people.

Lesser of two evils

I believe that, once again, and as usual, the voters will choose the lesser of two evils come next year's scheduled general election. I must, however, credit the Chief Servant for displaying calm determination, keeping a cool head and charting a course in an attempt to take him and his party out of the tempest that they created. Whether or not his plan for political recovery will work is up to the voters.

Come election time, we can expect the usual cast of (reshuffled) characters, the rehashing of the same old lines, and the adherence to the same old script. Money will be handed out to buy votes in some communities. The candidates will make their appearance to their constituents and briefly walk among them, ushered by several staunch and well-known party supporters from within that community.

Leaflets will be distributed and promises of help and support will flow. Perhaps some sort of (very short-term) social project will be undertaken to appease the gullible.

On the wider stage, there will be boisterous, unruly, fed and feted revellers speeding dangerously to and from political rallies. The 'production' will include a façade of levity amid loud, harsh and sometimes comical criticisms levelled at the opposing side.

The PNP has been milking the Manatt debacle for all its worth. However, berating an administration for failings in rectitude will not guarantee electoral triumph. Many Jamaicans depend on 'politics' for survival and, in spite of the Manatt-Coke disgrace, they still believe that neither major party has a clear ethical or administrative advantage; therefore, they are not likely to vote solely to express moral outrage.

Tired of the old diatribe

Jamaicans are tired of the usual finger-pointing and empty promises from politicians; they want to hear detailed strategies for improving the economy. They want to hear of genuine, practical and sustainable plans for the development and emancipation of people trapped within the poverty-violence-dependency inner-city cycle.

They want a comprehensive preview of the type of governance that can be expected from the PNP. They want to hear the PNP say where they went wrong and how they plan to avoid repeating their mistakes.

I have been mulling over the findings of the Bill Johnson polls - 60 per cent of Jamaicans surveyed believed that we would be better off under British rule. Obviously, most people think that they would be much safer and happier if they were treated like the property of a foreign power and not beguiled, exploited, pitted violently against one another, kept economically and socially dependent and used to create power and wealth for a few of their own countrymen.

That's truly a stinging and resounding condemnation of our politics.

Garth A. Rattray is a physician with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.