Red herring... without crackers?

JAMES MOSS-SOLOMON

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Well, it has started earlier than expected after the election. Both principal parties seem to wish to ignore the strong messages sent by the electorate that suggests that "old-style divide-but-secretly-agree politics" has been firmly rejected.

In fact, a strong message has been sent, but the two sides seem to be intent on testing the effectiveness of that message through arguing trivial facts in the face of looming threats.

So we are faced with wide and wild discussions on topics that will not provide any debt relief or, for that matter, create any wealth. There are several going around, and my colleagues in the media are totally blind, or worse, complicit in masking this deception.

I do not want to be insensitive to people's rights. That may be important to them, but a review of the Offences Against the Person Act (Buggery Act) is not likely to reduce our expenditure on petroleum. But it takes the time and focus of the churches and several other groups off the reality of our circumstances. Here are a few more:

* Does size matter? Well, it certainly seems so. Even before the new Cabinet can find their offices and staff, we are having a full-blown debate on numbers. We are doing an assessment of their worth based on unknown problems and no work being done yet. This does not strike me as a major debate at this stage, so let us focus on their ability to discern and classify problem areas. If the numbers are needed to perform, well, so be it. If not, the electorate will be the final arbiter. The Opposition is pleased to participate in the debate but has not named senators or portfolio spokespersons.

* The Queen. The prime minister has stated that the Queen is a lovely and insightful lady, but we need to tell her farewell. The Opposition has no opinion at this time as the leader is too young to really know the ins and outs of Buckingham Palace. Regrettably, Peter Tosh is no longer around to be his advisor.

* The Caribbean Court of Justice. The many lettered lawyers of high repute are unable to agree on either the time or the measures required to end Jamaica's relationship with the Privy Council, or starting the relationship with the CCJ as the final Appellate jurisdiction. We have chosen to ignore the fact that the Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs Caricom's original jurisdiction is already in place, and we are already paying our share, and that agreed obligation cannot be easily rescinded if we continue to be members of Caricom. Our own courts have a backlog that is shocking and this is systemic, not merely a lack of funds. So this debate is currently a distraction.

* The Republic of Jamaica. The discussion is just starting but already there is confusion in the various concepts. Even the definition is unclear and therefore this topic need not be an immediate distraction as there are so many choices to be investigated prior to any referendum.

1. Would we like to make a simple change from the Queen to a super-sized and renamed governor general to ceremonial president? If the answer is yes, then nothing really changes and both political parties can be happy. This would mean no changes or necessary improvements for us.

2. We think and speak of the United States version, but that would entail providing for a presidential election that would exclude the concept of a winning party. In fact, no party alignment would be required for an individual to win and would be based on popular personal support. Thus Ras Astor Black, Vybez Kartel or I could stand for election as an executive president like Obama, but this would certainly not gain the support of our current parliamentarians.

3. Parliamentarians would hardly accept reassignment as mere legislators without being part of the executive. The heights of control of contracts and the pervasive trough of political spoils could never be voluntarily abandoned.

4. The Guyanese mix of two electoral modes is hardly understood here and the concept of overseas voters is enough to spark a vigorous debate here. Can you imagine the prospect of US$ donations for running a campaign in Brooklyn? The very thought is amusing. Can you imagine the bus loads with protruding bottoms parading through the city in the snow? Well, we may yet influence Democrats and Republicans as we stage our own "booty call campaign" in the Big Apple. (Yes, I am laughing in anticipation.)

5. We could also have a banana republic (without the bananas) and have an expectation of regular military intervention.

* The Attorney General. Yes, you enjoyed him with the Sheriff (now renamed 'Star Boy') during the Enquiry, so why don't you want him to perform in the continuing reality saga called Parliament? We may well learn some new English and Latin terms if he steps into KD's shoes.

On a serious note, though, the IMF team is due to arrive on the same day that 'Dudus' is scheduled to be sentenced. If the sentencing date delay is allowed, perhaps we will realise that his songs are still continuing. The same will also apply to the song and dance that will have to be done in order to renew any future agreements with the IMF. Something will have to give, as they say.

Even more urgent is the possible effect on oil supplies and prices as a purchasing embargo is put in place on Iranian oil, and Nigeria is beset by a growing insurrection. Parts of Alaska are facing severe winter storm conditions that may affect transportation. "Black gold" may yet become even more expensive on world markets.

Any upward movement of oil prices will result in another round of inflation as transportation, electricity, and every other sector that depends on electricity or fuel will be affected. Therefore, there are several areas that currently supersede the petty concerns that are the subject of focus in idle debate and speculation.

Please forget the trivia and attend to the urgent matters of state that cannot be postponed.

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GCT to go down, white rum prices going up

Red herring... without crackers?