My Jamaica

by Gordon Robinson

Last week's column drew much critique regarding my alleged abdication of my civic obligation to vote.

The suggestion that citizens are obliged to support their own civic rape by voting in an all-powerful government with no enforceable reciprocal obligation to citizens would be hilarious were it not so absurd. My civic obligation is owed to my Jamaica, not to the current system of Jamaican politics.

"This is the land of my birth.

This is the land of my birth.

This is Jamaica, my Jamaica,

The land of my birth."

As someone who has never been enumerated, I'm perpetually offended by politicians and others bleating on about my civic duty to vote, especially those with green cards and dual citizenships tucked away in their back pockets.

"I will never leave her shores.

I will never run away.

I will always believe in the black,

The green, the gold, I say.

All nations greater for their trials.

We must face the test of time.

'Cause our people, they are strong

And we are going to get along.

Though some people say we are poor,

But the progress you make, my friend,

Is not always how rich you are."

Patriots don't indulge in knee-jerk reactions. Patriots don't vote simply because they can. Patriots understand their civic obligation to the nation and fellow countrymen is to ensure that all votes have meaning before casting a single vote.

So, I'm often asked, what exactly is it that'll satisfy you? When will you vote?

1 When I'm allowed to vote for my choice of prime minister, I'll vote. I won't bow down to the tyrannical contempt our political system has for me. Let's suppose I want Young Andrew for prime minister. I can't vote for that. My only hope of a remote contribution to that objective would be to vote for my constituency's JLP candidate.

But the JLP candidate in my constituency is Dwight 'I Can't Recall' Nelson. I'd sooner cast a vote for The Dunce who, despite his own impaired memory, seems more likely to remember to pursue my concerns once elected. Why must I vote for Dwight Turned White to represent me when I really want to vote for Young Andrew as prime minister and Young Julian as my MP? When I'm presented with a ballot permitting me to do that, I'll vote.

2 When the Constitution allows Jamaica's CEO to choose his management team (Cabinet) from among its meagre talent pool (excepting MPs), regardless of political affiliation (as does every corporate CEO) subject only to parliamentary confirmation after a thorough, public interview process, I'll vote.

Until then, I refuse to board in the philosophical dungeon where our current system resides whereby Jamaica's senior management team's sole qualification is the ability to make more empty promises to an undereducated electorate than opponents, followed by adroitly sucking up to a prime minister with limited choice.

3 When MPs must reside in their constituencies, I'll vote. Young Andrew says he wants to end garrison politics. Trust me, Young Andrew, it's not hard. This is the way. Try it nuh?

4 When the tenure of Cabinet members, members of statutory boards, and members of executive agencies is subject to parliamentary confirmation and impeach-ment; and MPs subject to midterm recall, I'll vote.

5 When the Senate is elected (not selected), every three years using a broad-based system of proportional representation, I'll vote.

Campaign promises regarding fiscal/monetary policies or tax reform are immaterial if our finance ministers can do as they like once elected. In America, Bill Clinton was able to win elections using the slogan 'It's the economy, stupid!' because voters knew the system would hold him to his promises if he became president.

We're no longer a British colony. We have a written Constitution that we must understand, respect and reinvent as necessary to suit us. Let's leave British tradition behind and create our own, even if it means borrowing appropriate ideas from wherever.

"Let us stop for a minute

Count our blessings one by one.

We should never be disloyal

But stand up and keep strong.

My Jamaica is a beautiful island.

She is the pearl of the Caribbean Sea.

And our people they are free;

No oppression there to see;

With the prettiest women there be;

And the hills and the plains and the rivers

And the valleys a beckon to me."

Like 'Mr Festival' (Eric Donaldson), I consider Jamaica to be mine. It's yours. Reject politicians' careless promises and perennial non-performance. Insist on real change. Now!

Peace and love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.