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Showers of blessings?
Lloyd B. Smith
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
A political cynic has pointed out to me that since the Jamaica Labour Party won the 2007 general election on September 3, the country has been weeping. That has been his interpretation of the persistent showers that have been falling since then. He went on further to list a number of woes afflicting the nation in the wake of Bruce Golding taking over as prime minister, including an increase in violent crimes, the spiralling prices in basic foods, gas and utilities, and a plethora of other negatives. All this has occurred against the background of the JLP's favourite slogan/buzzword "Shower".
And even as the JLP, after some two months in office, prepares for its annual conference at which it is likely that the date for the local government elections will be announced, the "showers" continue almost unabated. Is this a classic case of "be careful what you wish for"? The plot gets even thicker when one factors in PNP Member of Parliament and former State Minister Kern Spencer's "showering" of Gordon House with his tears even as the Bulb Scandal unfolds like a daytime soap opera in prime time. What? Did I hear someone say, "More shower!"?
Seriously, though, if I may be allowed to use a tried and true epithet, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going", it would seem to me that rather than giving the nation excuse after excuse, the Golding administration must become more proactive and get the job done. After all, that is why they were elected. To govern, not to continue to be purveyors of doom and gloom as they were wont to be in opposition.
Listening to Prime Minister Golding on Sunday night during his first fireside chat to the country, one senses that he means well, despite the many challenges that already beset his fledgling regime. Clearly, he had to say something to an electorate that he and his party will be calling upon shortly to give it another mandate in terms of controlling local government. Timing is the art of politics and Mr Golding's time is perfect, both in terms of assuaging an increasingly worried nation as well as his troops who must now prepare for yet another battle on the hustings.
Against this background, it is beginning to look as if it will be business as usual. In other words, "ole time sinting come back again". Where is the newness, where is the difference, Mr Golding? I know I will be pilloried by the motley crew of JLP supporters who feel that their "Golden One" can do no wrong, but that is one of the hazards of being a columnist that dares to take on whichever party is in power.
As a Jamaican that is truly committed to this country, it is my fervent hope that Prime Minister Golding will achieve many of the objectives that emanated from his party's manifesto.
However, in order for this to become a reality, Mr Golding must realise that his promise of an inclusive rather than exclusive government must be fulfilled. Current trends do not suggest this. Indeed, those of us who now dare to rap the Golding team on its knuckles are fast becoming personae non gratae.
It is still early days yet, and what may be deemed to be showers of curses could well turn out to be showers of blessings for Golding and the JLP. To put it bluntly, the tough ones in the JLP need to get going. The country has had enough of the excuses, complaints and the pointing of fingers. Action time now, no more "bag o' mouth"!
lloydbsmith@hotmail.com
Lloyd B. Smith
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
A political cynic has pointed out to me that since the Jamaica Labour Party won the 2007 general election on September 3, the country has been weeping. That has been his interpretation of the persistent showers that have been falling since then. He went on further to list a number of woes afflicting the nation in the wake of Bruce Golding taking over as prime minister, including an increase in violent crimes, the spiralling prices in basic foods, gas and utilities, and a plethora of other negatives. All this has occurred against the background of the JLP's favourite slogan/buzzword "Shower".
And even as the JLP, after some two months in office, prepares for its annual conference at which it is likely that the date for the local government elections will be announced, the "showers" continue almost unabated. Is this a classic case of "be careful what you wish for"? The plot gets even thicker when one factors in PNP Member of Parliament and former State Minister Kern Spencer's "showering" of Gordon House with his tears even as the Bulb Scandal unfolds like a daytime soap opera in prime time. What? Did I hear someone say, "More shower!"?
Seriously, though, if I may be allowed to use a tried and true epithet, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going", it would seem to me that rather than giving the nation excuse after excuse, the Golding administration must become more proactive and get the job done. After all, that is why they were elected. To govern, not to continue to be purveyors of doom and gloom as they were wont to be in opposition.
Listening to Prime Minister Golding on Sunday night during his first fireside chat to the country, one senses that he means well, despite the many challenges that already beset his fledgling regime. Clearly, he had to say something to an electorate that he and his party will be calling upon shortly to give it another mandate in terms of controlling local government. Timing is the art of politics and Mr Golding's time is perfect, both in terms of assuaging an increasingly worried nation as well as his troops who must now prepare for yet another battle on the hustings.
Against this background, it is beginning to look as if it will be business as usual. In other words, "ole time sinting come back again". Where is the newness, where is the difference, Mr Golding? I know I will be pilloried by the motley crew of JLP supporters who feel that their "Golden One" can do no wrong, but that is one of the hazards of being a columnist that dares to take on whichever party is in power.
As a Jamaican that is truly committed to this country, it is my fervent hope that Prime Minister Golding will achieve many of the objectives that emanated from his party's manifesto.
However, in order for this to become a reality, Mr Golding must realise that his promise of an inclusive rather than exclusive government must be fulfilled. Current trends do not suggest this. Indeed, those of us who now dare to rap the Golding team on its knuckles are fast becoming personae non gratae.
It is still early days yet, and what may be deemed to be showers of curses could well turn out to be showers of blessings for Golding and the JLP. To put it bluntly, the tough ones in the JLP need to get going. The country has had enough of the excuses, complaints and the pointing of fingers. Action time now, no more "bag o' mouth"!
lloydbsmith@hotmail.com
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