Time to grow up

Oh, well, here we go again. The recent developments in our politics suggest that a general election may be just around the corner.

The real reason for the hasty resignation of Bruce Golding, as leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and prime minister of Jamaica, remains a curiosity. The hurried sweeping of a young, seasoned and vibrant Andrew Holness into the vacated positions set the stage for the calling of an early election before the novelty wears off.

Furthermore, speculation is floating around that the Government's urgent need for severe and mandatory spending cuts will make this administration so unpopular that it will blight any hopes it entertains of election victory if they are carried out before the general election, which is constitutionally due no later than December next year.

The attempt to peel off the tightly clinging and smelly parasite of the extradition affair, the ascending wave of JLP pride and popularity, along with a People's National Party (PNP) response, which is in need of far more substance and depth, all serve to provide the JLP with a real chance of success at early polls.

Vulnerable speakers

And thus begins the campaigning ... haltingly now, but already the insults and name-calling have begun. There must be something in the air on that political platform that intoxicates some vulnerable speakers at political rallies. Perhaps the constant cheering and long-winded speeches deplete the air of oxygen and increase the carbon dioxide.

Whatever it is; lost inhibitions, muted consciences, abandoned ethics and forgotten manners cause unkind words and piercing jeers to spew from overly exuberant politicians dazzled by brightly coloured and jubilant supporters caught up in the circus-like atmosphere.

Many people enjoy the manufactured jubilance and onstage antics, but they are major turn-offs for mature and level-headed citizens who see politics as a very serious entity that directly determines our country's future. The dancing, prancing, skipping, hopping, swaying, theatrical happiness, demonstrative hugging and verbose speeches effectively repel an indeterminate number of Jamaicans from participating in the political machinery.

Because of this, the party workers (and, therefore, the delegates) are heavily represented by people who can tolerate that level of 'excitement' and, perhaps, find it enthralling.

Immature antics fail

Entertainment, teasing, insults, divisiveness, quarrels, free (sponsored) food and frivolity are great ways to draw a crowd, but they are not the best ways to attract the right proportion of the right kind of party stalwarts. Immature antics fail to transmit the unselfishness, seriousness and patriotism with which we need to approach politics.

The masses (among which are claque) applaud and cheer when politicians perform at political meetings; however, the way some speakers address the audience often seems condescending to me. Instead of elevating their followers, some lower their personal standards of statesmanship to appease and entice their respective supporters. People need leaders that they can look up to and who will elevate their way of thinking.

If politics is truly for the good of the entire country (as it's supposed to be), in spite of our different preferences, we need to grow up and work together for the benefit of everyone. We have had more than 40 years of political strife, which introduced dependency, the buying of votes, gun violence, lack of respect for life, intimidation, terrorism and mindless murders. The spin-offs - governmental corruption, an entrenched gun culture, crime and gangsterism - continue to plague us today.

Given our dire economic problems with much more looming just over the horizon, we need unity now more than ever. I long for some of our politicians to grow up and portray maturity, even if only for the sake of our beautiful country.

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