Will the 48 per cent please stand up?

HEART TO HEART

Betty Ann Blaine

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Dear Reader,

Many of us did not vote in the December 29 election, and for good reasons. I described it as an election of “convenience and corruption” — called hurriedly amidst a Jamaica fraught with allegations of corruption.

And it wasn't just the scandals — Manatt/Phelps, Dudus, Tivoli, Trafigura, JDIP and others. It was the vulgar disregard for the critical electoral reforms that had been proposed after months of work by the Electoral Commission and stakeholders representing the broad spectrum of the society. In the rush to elections not one of the recommendations for campaign finance reform was adopted. So the People's National Party won and the Jamaica Labour Party lost, but the biggest loser was the degenerating standard and quality of the democratic process.

For those of us who never thought about it before, a “novote” is actually an important protest vote, and in some democracies, the ballot actually includes the option, “None of the above”. I for one could not in good conscience participate in an election riddled with charges and countercharges of corruption, lies, deceit, votebuying, and the like, and cast within the context of murders, garrisons, political gangs and a myriad other ills and malpractices.

My position was very clear — “investigate and clean up the scandals, introduce crucial electoral and campaign finance reforms, and call the election for late 2012”. That I felt was the responsible and ethical thing to do and would demonstrate the respect and dignity the people of Jamaica deserved.

But having taken a powerful moral and principled “no-vote” stand, the question we must now ask ourselves is, “Are we prepared to change what we don't like and if we are, how?” I was inspired by a statement I heard recently, made by a woman leader in South Africa who, in discussing the issue of “compromise”, said, “It is accepting what you don't believe, because you refuse to stand up for what you do believe.”

Evangelist and author Jim Wallis, in his book God's Politics, addresses the philosophical and political balance that is essential in moving a society forward. Says Wallis: “Protest should not be merely the politics of complaint. It should instead show the way for both personal and social transformation. That's what excites people and invites them to give their lives for something larger than themselves.

“The power of protest is not in its anger but its invitation. The test of protest is whether it points and opens the way to change or merely denounces what is. When protest is both instructive and constructive in a society, it becomes something that has to be dealt with and not just merely contained.”

Wallis further cements the point by writing: “In fact, those who protest should be making a promise. They are promising their society that a better way is indeed possible. They are saying that bigotries, the injustices, the indignities, the indifference, and the unnecessary violence we experience today will not have the last word. Instead, their protest reveals the things that can and must be changed for the good and health of the entire society and the world. We need people who pledge themselves, not just to object to what is wrong, but to help find and fashion an alternative. In other words, the best protest is not merely counter-cultural, it is transformational. It gives a society a better vision for itself and for the future.”

Jamaica is at a critical crossroads – we must either swim or sink, and the truth is that the lifelines are becoming scarcer by the day. Those of us who are committed patriots must do something now, before the country gets to the point of no return.

There is absolutely no excuse for apathy or inaction, and there are innumerable avenues through which each of us can make a contribution. The country needs “think tanks” that can conceive, articulate and help implement critical programmes for national transformation. We need coalitions that will “coalesce” to find solutions for crime, education, youth unemployment, energy, water, agriculture, among other pressing concerns. There is tremendous scope for new and workable ideas and projects with the principles of justice, fairness and equity embedded in those initiatives. I was intrigued that printed in Wallis's book was a letter written to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair from a group of five US church leaders, including Wallis, regarding the Iraq war. That initiative was sponsored by a group called “Business leaders for sensible priorities”.

The country's voluntary sector is crying out for help, especially those organisations working with children and young adults. I am convinced that if each of us would help one family in a powerful oneon-one “national family recovery programme”, half the battle would be won.

As I write, another five Jamaicans have perished in a fire on Whitehall Avenue in Kingston. It is reported that among the dead is an 18-yearold, a 14-year-old and an 18-month-old baby. The families of those victims and that community need our help.

My fellow Jamaicans, we can choose to change the present realities, but we must first find the will to do it, and we must do it as a whole. So the question I ask is, “Will the 48 per cent please stand up?”

With love,

bab2609@yahoo.com

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COMMENTS (18)

muzzy piper
2/1/2012

Your non vote was obviously in support of the PNP, they won, soo, was that your intention? The decisions they make that affect you or other Jamaicans will be as a result of your non vote. A non vote in my book is akin to spitting on the graves of those people who died to give us the opportunity. Jamaica has come a far way, there are countries in the world now that do not have this privilege. This is again an example of where education is not all. No vote,no control of your direction!

Neketa Foska
1/31/2012

This article is genious. I am in favour of including a "no vote" option on the ballot as a form of protest. The author has framed the issue expertly by hinting that the 48% who did not vote are those that have note benefited from our so-called democracy and are likely of the same socio-economic status as the people who lost their lives in that fire. It is apparent that our leaders have forgotten that they are accountable to the people. Including the so-called wretched of the earth.

wanda woeman
1/31/2012

@TS you still sound bitter. Let it go my friend. Red Ants like the rest of us was probably just sorry not to see your frequent posts and might have just wondered whether you survived. After all this was a very traumatic and unexpected result for a lot of people given the tremendous amount of money spent by the party both for busing people to their motorcades and given to them for their votes.
Of course we know that nothing like that ever happened, but you know how these rumours get started

RED ANTS
1/31/2012

@Tom Stroke,Typical Labourite just sitting and waiting for a corruption to brew in the government to make some noise.lick hot but hush it will cool and don't take the defeat out on me because it was the people which spoke against the party that you were typing 1000 words in their defense.you have a long time in the political wilderness.

Norman Francis
1/31/2012

Betty Ann Blaine, the election is over. Jamaica needs to move forward, onward and upward. Another political think- tank will only drain our limited resources and add nothing. Its apparent some can't handle the result of the last general election but here's a suggestion for you: The people has spoken, lets get on with the will of the People. Get out there in the communities which you claim you speak for and try to make a real difference. Calling for someone else to do it is indeed "apathy".

Norman Francis
1/31/2012

From the voter turnout one could suggest there's was a level of apathy. But, Betty Ann, one could view it another way. In the past when "apathy" was not an issue we had some undesirable incidences, such as, people been forced to vote under duress or votes been bought and sold. Appear none of this foolishness occurred in the last election. I am sure the 48% you are concerned with are indeed "standing" but chose to exercise their franchise the best way they see fit, just like the 52% that voted.

Tom Stroke
1/31/2012

@RED ANTS, no one need a pair of eyeglasses, whether it is prescription, sunshade, Pinchers or otherwise, to see that you are in the last stage of idiocy. I see each day you jumping up and down on this blog spewing your usual nonsense. When will you get it that you may learn something if you keep your mouth shut for a while and just listen? Typical comrade. As Bob Marley in his song titled Rat Race said: “In the abundance of water the fool is thirsty”. So what else can I say to you to make you start using your brain instead of sitting on it?

Noel Richards
1/31/2012

Not voting after considering the offerings is a vote of no confidence. Continually settling for the "lesser of the two evils" perpetuates "evil" (figurative). There is some apathy in the 48%, but that apathy is born of frustration and distrust, there is nothing motivating those voters to make the effort. They will immediately recognize the principles they yearn for and the moral persuasion that motivates them, when they hear and see in action, what they inherently know they can believe in.

0o k
1/31/2012

Your column is waste of good space!

PL BOGLE
1/31/2012

It certainly wasn’t an organized effort why 48% did not vote! Betty Ann Blaine, with due respect, I’m wondering why you or anyone else feel the need to hijack the 48%?
@Meat Head and robert heath I agree.

N Manley Blythe
1/31/2012

We MUST vote!! Parties will come up with their best long-term strategies for growth and overall economic management when they see that there is in fact a motivated and willing electorate. The government of the day will work harder to manage effectively and show achievements to warrant another term.
We are in effect subjecting ourselves to inadequate representation by way of underperforming leaders who have no incentive to excell.
The non-vote in our case gives the politician a licence to chill!!

N Manley Blythe
1/31/2012

A non-vote protest works in an atmosphere of consistently strong voter turnout. The non-vote there serves to deny the likely winner a victory. The party realises it has a great chance of winning and works hard to maintain and add new support.
In our case, we have low voter turnout. Here, it is a mystery who will win, the non-vote therefore loses it's value. Also, the non-vote simply guarantees victory for the larger base.
Use the carrot to lead the horse. Remove the carrot, what's the incentive?

robert heath
1/31/2012

While I understand where you are coming from I have to disagree when you say a non vote is a form of protest. Actually a non vote is a vote for the incumbent, it is the responsibility of the opposition to vote out the government, so a non vote hurt the opposition first
The flip side or reverse takes place when the opposition is ahead in votes then the non votes affect the government.
Now get off the fence and vote because a non vote only helps the party that has won the election.

Meat Head
1/31/2012

I couldn't make sense of your logic. In our winner take all system, your no vote is somehow a protest? Against what? The obvious fact is your protest didn't matter; a govt. was elected and you and the other "protesters" must live with its policies for the next 5 years. I am sure there is some higher reasoning here that I don't understand. But, to me, this whole idea of protesting by refusing to vote seems like a waste of time. I wouldn't brag about it.

Dan smith
1/31/2012

You and the 48% who did not vote that's all of your buisness

wanda woeman
1/31/2012

The writer says there is no excuse for apathy or inaction, but isn’t a “no vote” a form of apathy? She then makes the call for think tanks, but I have been asking her to do this several times (I think the latest was last week) instead of 3rd parties which won’t work in our lifetime. We have seen it over and over again, but it seems that everybody wants to be prime minister.
The JDF people set up their protest group and although at times it appears to me that they are political, they have done well in reducing police killings in Jamaica. Go ahead Ms. BAB and set up these think tanks. You look like you could become a leader.

RED ANTS
1/31/2012

Tom Stroke could you please stand up.Can someone tell Dr.Intyre i am taking my medicine before i go to bed.These two bloggers seem to have gone into political retirement.Dwl

RED ANTS
1/31/2012

Betty even if the 48% should stand up that still wouldn't make your party victorious at the polls.At least 30 out of that 48% would not vote no matter how you look at it,the other 18 would not do any good for you Betty.With all of what was going on the people deserves to be the judge and justice was serve.it was the lowest percentage of voters but at the same time it was the highest voters turnout in our history,keep in mind the voters list now have the highest numbers of registered voters.

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Will the 48 per cent please stand up?