WHEW! What a year it has been! Alas, poor Bruce! From Saul on the road to Damascus who became Paul and then back to Saul! From the talk show host that revelled on Disclosure who has now ended up being a victim of many disclosures. Yes, Orette Bruce Golding, whether wittingly or unwittingly, has to be Jamaica’s political man of the year.

Some say he is a political cat with nine lives, others see him as a delayed time bomb getting ready to explode like a suicide bomber on the loose at Belmont Road. Truly, as old time people used to say, “Bad luck worse than obeah.” From Manatt, Phelps and Phillips to leftover potato salad and tea for two, but no tea, compliments of Wikileaks. As the guys in the ghetto would say, “Wicked!”

Frankly, it is my considered opinion that Orette Bruce Golding, along with his green team, needs to head for St Thomas for a bath. But then again, isn’t that the parish where James Robertson the “salt” one is clinging to a greasy pole. Maybe a best bet would be for them to head for St Mary where Robert Montague seems to have it locked. Talk about having enough “oil a mek mi rise”.

With the government having to cancel Christmas parties for the civil servants, could it be that Vale Royal had run out of tea? My good friend Mayor/Senator/Deputy Leader Desmond McKenzie, he of many hats, has had an acute case of amnesia. But seriously, if he said what he is said to have said, who is to say he has not said what ought to have been said?

Seriously though, as Jamaicans get ready for what seems to be even more of a bumpy ride in 2011, my greatest wish is that the Golden One will cease being a flip flopper. Surely, he ought to realise by now that a fixity of purpose ought to be his mantra rather than “eenie, meenie, myniee, mo, here comes my latest distraction”.

Can you imagine the current chairman of Caricom putting a damper on the Caribbean Court of Justice? Kinda reminds one of that famous expression “One from 10 leaves zero” when the Alexander Bustamante-led Jamaica Labour Party opted to exit the West Indies Federation and went on to lead the country into political Independence in 1962.

Is the prime minister/JLP leader pulling a fast one by using that same technique to appeal to the citizens’ penchant for insularity (splendid isolation), exploiting that sentiment in a general election mode? A seemingly inept Opposition People’s National Party continues to allow Bruce on the loose to wrap rings around them. Take for example the recently held North East St Ann by-election. It is obvious to any discerning observer that the majority of the constituents were turned off by Shahine Robinson because of how they saw her handle (or is it mishandle?) her dual-citizenship issue. Kudos to Devon Evans of the Marcus Garvey-inspired People’s Political Party for having the cojones to take on the JLP armada. Clearly, the PNP should have contested that election, because even if it lost, it would have been by a very close margin which would have sent a powerful signal to the JLP that they ought not to have let Shahine Robinson run. To put it bluntly, she should have been penalised and this would have sent a strong message to the nation that Mr Golding and his party still cling to some amount of integrity and honesty. Instead, what transpired was a political farce.

In the meantime, thanks to courageous and vocal Dr Peter Phillips and Deacon Ronnie Thwaites (the lone backbencher with any guts), all was not lost on the Opposition side. Meanwhile, we wait with bated breath for the anticipated Cabinet reshuffle as the JLP gets ready for a 2011 general election. Or will they wait for 2012 when the euphoria of celebrating 50 years of so-called Independence and spectacular performances at the London Olympics led by Usain Bolt may well help them to use the “feel good factor” to the hilt? Then again, “it’s the economy, stupid”! If after 13 consecutive quarters of no growth, it is more of the same; and even if the economy were to grow but there are no jobs, jobs, jobs, then “dawg will nyam the JLP’s suppa”.

For Jamaica’s sake, I hope like all well-thinking Jamaicans, that the government will settle down and govern with common sense, compassion and competence. That the arrogance and constant bungling will give way to humility and good governance. It “sipple out deh”, Mr Golding and Mrs. Simpson Miller. Jamaicans are hurting not just from economic woes but are bewitched, bewildered and bemused. They need leadership they can trust and respect. Justice, truth be ours forever needs to be embraced as the new national motto because we are no longer “Out of Many, One People”. Enough said!

lloydbsmith@hotmail.com