I wish you all the best for the year 2012, may your dreams and aspirations become reality. No resolutions from me this year, I have come to recognise that acting on my dreams as opposed to solely wishing for them to miraculously be true works out much better, so no writing, just action this year.

I confess that I have entered the new year with some very old habits. Oh well, I never said I was perfect, so I guess I will need a little more time than others to transform.

With the exception of a few over zealous supporters who still see it fitting to sport party colors and loiter around talking about the December 2011 elections, the rest of the country seems to have moved on with our daily lives. I wonder though about the employment status of those orange clad revellers still living it up, since I know, whichever party is victorious, I still have to reluctantly get out of bed and go make a living to keep a roof over my head. Could it be that they are being paid to party? I sincerely hope not, because as much as I am not a registered voter, I am a taxpayer and I shudder to think that while schools, roads and health care need major work, funds are being expended on a victory when so much needs to be done. I hesitate to say ‘Congrats’ to Sistah P and the PNP, since running a country is no easy task. I really want to say ‘condolences’, since, they will be chastised and criticised at every turn just as their predecessor was by everybody and their mothers, including this writer.

As much as their road won’t be easy, I do not promise to show favour to any party when it comes on to how this little piece of paradise will be managed. My voice will be heard in the distance over by Elva Land, demanding fair work for fair pay. I pay the government so I will have my say. I was very embarrassed by some of my fellow countrymen and women who I thought loved this Rock.

When I returned to Kingston from my idyllic Negril, some of the broadcasts on my blackberry about the predicted fate of Jamaica and Jamaicans because the PNP had won, made me cry. Based on what they were saying, things were so beautiful and now the majority has ruined it. One lady predicted higher utility bills, unemployment and she even went as far as to suggest that she was going to enjoy sitting back and watch us ‘eat our words’ because so much suffocation, doom and destruction was to come. Am I going crazy or are they mad?

Firstly, I don’t know where in Jamaica she resides, but utility bills have never gone down in this country, to my knowledge, irrespective of who is ruling. Secondly, where as I didn’t vote, as a Jamaican I will respect and try to support whomever is governing until they get the boot, because this is my home. As it is in any democracy, the majority rules. I may not agree with them, so I built a bridge and got over it. Out of many one people.

I challenge the PNP to step up to the plate and keep the promises made that gave them the opportunity to govern the affairs of this country and not just do, but exceed the expectations of the masses. I also challenge the JLP to step it up, now is not the time to sit back and take a break. Challenge their decisions, work even harder than when you were in office; give us a reason to believe that you have the country and not your party’s interest at heart. Lastly, I challenge all Jamaicans to pray for our island, not laugh, mock and jeer, since whether Sistah P or Bredda A, WE have to live here. God bless Jamaica!

Have a great weekend folks; keep the comments coming to elvachatalot@yahoo.com.