By Lynford Simpson, News EditorPRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson last Monday moved to ward off the criticism that was expected following his "...More man have gal than at anytime else" comment to the party faithful at the 65th annual conference of the People's National Party inside the National Arena.
His attempt at a clarification, however, was perhaps even more pathetic than his unfortunate outburst, as long before the so-called apology was televised, my colleagues and I had correctly predicted that he would claim that he was either misunderstood or taken out of context. He did just that! He claimed the former. Isn't this proof that the Prime Minister really thinks the Jamaican people are idiots? For how long will Mr. Patterson and his Government continue to insult the intelligence of the Jamaican people?
Here he was, the Head of Government, lamenting that he was not shown the respect he thought he deserved for all he claimed to have done for Jamaica build more highways than anybody else, done more to reduce poverty than anybody else, provided more running water, electricity and telephone than anybody else, put more children in school, etc. But, he spoilt it on three counts.
'FOOT IN MOUTH' DISEASE
Firstly, you don't beg respect, you earn it. If the Jamaican people do not respect you, then there's most likely a good reason for it.
Secondly, if you are going to point to your successes after you were elected by the people to perform, then you should also point to your failures such as the intolerably high crime rate, especially murder, which is higher than anybody else's; the vast number of people out of work because manufacturing has failed, more than anybody else's; the continued devaluation of the Jamaican dollar, greater than anybody else's and the mushrooming of squatter settlements because people can't afford housing despite Operation PRIDE.
Thirdly, the irony of begging some respect then being disrespectful to your women folk in the same breath. This may well have put the nail in the coffin of Mr. Patterson's so-called Values and Attitudes programme which, despite being around for several years, has not made an impact. In short sir, you have just made it more difficult for the people to respect you.
STICK TO THE FORMAL
The learned Queen's Counsel should be encouraged not to depart from the formal, even on a political platform. The audience at a party conference is much too diverse for that kind of performance. You offended many in that crowd Mr. Prime Minister and many more who read or heard your comments afterwards. I urge you to, in the future, resist the temptation to be 'one of the boys'. Your office is way too important for that. According to the Oxford dictionary, 'gal' is a derogatory term. I suspect even those women who jump and scream at Dancehall D.Js referring to them as 'gal' have a major problem with their Prime Minister doing the same thing to them.
Without realising it, the Prime Minister with that one statement has endorsed promiscuity. Men who already see women as 'things' to possess will be encouraged to possess more of them, especially in the context that he spoke. There he was telling Jamaicans that because of him, a humble man from the country, they were now able to possess things which hitherto, they could not. Such possessions include "more gal."
Mr. Patterson, in pleading for some respect, showed us why he's not getting any. If you think you're going to be respected based on the physical things you claim to have provided, then think again. For people will take what they can get with one hand and yet turn their backs on you. You will have friends only because you are popular and in a position to help people. This does not mean that they respect you.
PEOPLE DO NOT FORGET
The truth is, neither the Prime Minister nor his Government readily commands respect. They are too mired in controversy; too many scandals and, in the case of the P.M., he has exonerated too many irresponsible members of his Government. He and his Government lack credibility. People do not forget things like the NetServ and Operation PRIDE scandals. Not to mention the pomposity with which this Government has ruled. What about telling people who vote for you to "forget it" in relation to a referendum for the proposed Caribbean Court of Justice.
Yes, you have done some good things and I could add to that list for you. There is now a decent bus service for the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region by way of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company. But again that's why you were elected in the first place.
What exactly does Mr. Patterson really want? Is it respect or thanks for what his administration has done? If it is the latter, then that thanks has been expressed several times since 1989 as the people have not failed to return the PNP to power in general elections a record fourth consecutive term following last October's victory. Next time, think before you speak, Mr. Prime Minister.
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Lynford.Simpson@gleanerjm.com
