C. Roy ReynoldsTHE NUMBERS produced by recent polls seemed to have saddened a lot of commentators. Most seem to be alarmed that some 50 per cent of the electors polled were politically disinterested.
Admittedly that is one way of looking at it. But is it the only way? I think not, and therefore I take a different view to the lamenters! Now if we believe what many of us have been saying for some time politicians and governments such as our own in the light of world reality are considerably circumscribed in their ability to deliver certain things traditionally within their purview.
Could it be therefore that while the most vocal commentators have been acting on the assumption that all bad and conversely all good must flow from government, the masses of the people had read the road signs and moved on.
Contrary to what the most vocal would-be opinion makers in our urban centres seem to assume, everybody is not benumbed by allegations of an inept and corrupt political system, but are getting on with their lives. Overtly or tacitly they have concluded that many more people succeed in spite of their government than because of it. So they are not unduly detained by the numbing twaddle that passes for erudition in the media.
Which is not to say that they have been weaned entirely from the political system and process. They are just not exercised on a daily basis about it. When the appropriate time comes I am sure many of them will participate. And as a matter of fact I have a strong suspicion that many of the "not interested" responses given are driven by a puckish desire to "tell them what they expect to "hear" than any firmly committed position.
It is as well instructive that the strongest commitment to participate in the process is coming from the more well-off. They have always been the greatest beneficiaries of the system and now that the system is less than bounteous they are looking for other wells to drill and herein lies a pointer to the outcome of a future contest.
Those now more committed are numerically far inferior to the rest of us. So, almost inevitably the contest will turn on the domino game principle: "We versus They." Which might not be enlightened politics but effective politics. And in this scenario a number of related things will as well be in play.
CCJ issue
What about that CCJ issue? Can you imagine one side stoutly condemning it while the other thunders that all they want to do is to keep on toadying to a bunch of unelected aristocrats sitting in their white ivory tower thousands of miles away?
And what about the JLP's leader's financial troubles? Bear in mind that he has always been partial to the Minister of Finance post.
How will he be expected to, as it were, adjudicate on his own situation? I am sure that there must be some within the party who can see the great train wreck up ahead and who fear the ghost of elections to come.
So to a very great extent the revelations of the polls is reason for the JLP to fear rather than rejoice. The very fact that they seem to be doing so well in the enclaves of the well-to-do creates a difficulty with the majority. A majority that no longer sees politics as the leading force in their economic life, but more as a sport and a means to assert their "smaddiness."
Contrary to what the urban-based opinion peddlers seem to believe there are many areas in this country where the majority of people are not constantly traumatised by politics. They have seen politicians come and go and are no longer convinced that whatever little money that jingle or rustle in their pockets has a political connection. I remember a few years ago on a visit to my birthplace I was in a little shop and bar when I fell into conversation with the daughter of an old school mate. She told me about some electronic equipment they now had in the school which in my time did not even own a lamp.
I expressed concern that since they had no security at the school weren't they afraid that it would be stolen, making it necessary for them to ask Government to replace it or do without.
Her reply was "afta wi neva ask government fi it. Dem nah tief it, but if dem doh it wi will buy it back."
People, that is the so-called "bright" ones are forever seeking models of development for us to emulate. Tragically they are yet to discover that there are models within our society, maybe not too high-tech, but which are remarkably successful. And many would be surprised that high-tech gadgetry is turning up in some very surprising quarters.
So the dreadful poll numbers might be more important for what they conceal than what they suggest on the surface. Like Chicken Little our little chickens are mistaken in the view that the sky is falling!
C. Roy Reynolds is a freelance journalist.
