Well the election date has finally been called and Christmas as I know it is officially ruined.

Already the familiar smells, sounds and sights of the upcoming festive season have been replaced with raucous orange and green coloured convoys of motor vehicles blaring all sorts of unholy messages throughout our city’s streets. Christmas ornaments have been replaced by strips of cloth bearing party emblems on lightposts in several strongholds. It is most unfortunate that political seats are won in this country, not by proposed future issues and real proof of work done during a government’s tenure, but by the popular vote.

I believe that he or she who throws the biggest campaign parties; paves the most roads (even those formally neglected for years and will resort to that position after the election); makes the most outrageous promises without establishing where the funds will be coming from to effect same; gives away the most phone cards and food and talks the loudest and most passionate throwing in street jargon when relevant, will win by a landslide.

To my advantage or detriment, depending on where you happen to be seated, I shall not be participating in the democratic process as I have grown increasingly wary of the way our politicians conduct the country’s affairs. Corruption exists in every government, but that does not make it right.

When I look back at the various scandals that have rocked our little piece of paradise over the country’s relatively young political journey, I immediately get a headache. The millions of misappropriated funds from these occurrences could feed, educate and house each citizen for years to come. The list reads like a dancehall line up on a poster of yester year: “Its here again for the first time at last when Daddy Andrew and di Fruit Bowl Massive presents a dance called “Election 2012. Featuring such sounds as Shell scandal, IT scandal, Cuban bulb scandal, furniture and zinc scandal and many more. Bring your machine and leave your queen…to miss is to diss! Nuff giveaways and excitement. Admission: your vote”

I love to party, but, this one has to go pass me. I’m fully cognisant that I will be guilty by omission for the sins of the elected winner, but I’d much rather live with the shame of non-participation than the horror of giving power to the wrong party.

My granny, God rest her soul, a wise woman, never ever participated in the electoral process either, maybe it’s genetic. She always said: six a one….half dozen a di odda. A very popular Jamaican saying similar to ‘swap black dog fi monkey’ which means the similarities are not so great, therefore it matters not who you choose.

Some of our elected officials need a strong wake up call, but they are not solely to be blamed. We, as in we the people, with our seven-day memory and eager to please famous faces mentality, need to remind them that they are our servants. Hold them accountable the way any employer would hold his/her employees responsible.

Why do we delay the start of a function because a minister is running late? Would your boss not start a meeting without you and maybe chastise you for your tardiness? I’m just saying. It seems a little backwards to me. My taxes pay them so they should be reverent in my presence, not vice versa. Minister is supposed to acknowledge me, when I walk into a function as the signer of his/her pay cheque. WE hold the power to hire or fire them, so let’s get them to toe the line.

Those of you exercising your right to vote, please do so responsibly. Examine the issues and the track records, not just the slogans of a political party. I will be somewhere on the north coast sipping on margaritas waiting for normalcy to return. Have a great weekend folks. elvachatalot@yahoo.com and follow me on Twitter @ElvaJamaica