Garth Rattray
MOST JAMAICANS are having an incredibly difficult time coping with the exorbitant cost of living. A significant cause for disgruntlement is the high cost of utilities and transportation. People are fed up. There is no recourse and the Government only seems to tighten the screws when we complain. Jamaicans need a powerful and feared consumer advocate, but since there is none, people depend on the Opposition to stand up for them against rapacious businesses and an apparently unsympathetic government.
It is indeed a pity that a political party has to play the role of advocate because the issues involved risk becoming politicised and could, in fact, help to divide the nation along Party lines. This is the sort of polarised thinking that prompted Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, Portia Simpson Miller to admonish all People's National Party (PNP) supporters not to participate in the Jamaica Labour party (JLP) - instigated islandwide demonstrations.
Opposition Leader Bruce Golding said that he wanted the people's dissenting voices to be heard, and a day of public demonstrations was the best way to achieve this. A friend suggested to me that he should have chosen a Sunday to avoid the economic backlash. Mr. Golding orchestrated the day of demonstrations to allow people to vent their pent-up frustrations and to draw attention to the dire state of affairs within the country. I, however, believe that he also used the demonstrations to test his political clout and to deliver a veiled threat of 'bangarang' to the ruling PNP.The demonstrations set the stage for his press conference that turned out to be steeped in oratory and veracity. The current administration has indeed displayed callousness, arrogance and reneged on its many promises and agreements. It has also been riddled with corruption and mismanagement, all of which has taken its toll on the people of this country (especially the poor and struggling).
But, I believe that Mr. Golding (an aspiring Prime Minister) erred in calling for this type of demonstration because he exposed some areas of his own weaknesses. Although he promised that his party would carry out peaceful and lawful demonstrations without disruptions, he had no control over his "troops".
A TRUE LEADER
A true leader would know that there can never be peaceful and lawful islandwide demonstrations in Jamaica. A true leader would not have been so naïve as to believe that people would resist the opportunity to disrupt production, commerce and everyday businesses by blocking the roads. A true leader would know that idlers and criminal elements always infiltrate demonstrations to commit violent acts and extort motorists. A true leader would remember that this is the back-to-school time. A true leader would be cognisant of the fact that Jamaica cannot afford the negative press.
BETTER PROTESTING METHODS
There are more effective and direct ways of protesting. The JLP leader could have called a press conference and outlined his concerns and grouses. He could then have given the government an ultimatum to act within a certain time before calling for an islandwide strike. That way, people would stay home in protest. This would minimise the risk of violence and loss of life. Since we are all suffering (and this administration jolly well knows it), the excuse of wanting to "bring it to the government's attention" is weak. He could have called for peaceful demonstrations outside the relevant Ministries. He could even have called for a withholding of payment of utility bills for one month as a mark of protest.
And so I wonder, who is the biggest loser in all of this? Was it the ruling PNP? The demonstrations and press conference highlighted their numerous chronic shortcomings, inefficiencies and arrogance. Was it the people? The disruptions robbed many of much-needed revenue, inconvenienced innumerable citizens and gave us even more bad press. Was it the JLP leader? Although his cause was just, one wonders about his true intent. I suspect that Mr. Golding was flexing his political muscles in the name of the nation, but (unfortunately) at the expense of the nation. I suppose only time and the next general elections will tell.
Dr Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice.
