Dear Reader,

“A fi wi time now fi eat food,” are the words I’m told being spoken by comrades across the country, and quite frankly, no one can blame party loyalists. After all, the People’s National Party’s (PNP) slogan of “people power” wasn’t clearly defined, so that what the followers expect and what the rest of us are coming to recognise is that “people power” means the “people” who voted for the PNP.

As is always the case, some will eat more food than others, and it hasn’t taken long for the victory spoils to be divided up, albeit unequally. Of course, those at the top will get more – much more than those at the bottom, and the key indicators are already visible.

Two of the indicators that attention must be paid to in any immediate post-election period are car dealers and real estate agencies, and this time around is no different.

The shopping spree for cars is now under way and I’m told that the cars of choice for 2012 are strikingly different from the 2007 and earlier brands. Our politicians are no longer interested in driving Mitsubishi Pajeros (popularly called “P”-jeros under the PJ Patterson administration), or Toyota Prados. Those $4-5 million cars are no longer suitable for the palates of the 2012 politicians.

The pick of cars this time around include the Audi Q5s, Toyota Land Cruisers, Mercedes Benzes and BMWs, all within a price range of between $10 and $20 million a piece. I suspect that all of those come with matching caps, and I’m certain, matching egos.

How do these politicians justify sitting behind the wheels of the most expensive vehicles in a country so poor? How do they feel driving those luxurious machines along roadways punctuated by potholes and through communities where citizens live in shacks and can barely find food and send their children to school?

I have never visited Trinidad, but people tell me that for a country rich in oil, they were amazed to see how few SUVs are on the streets. With gas prices here at home now at $118 per litre, and with a debt to GDP ratio of 140 per cent, I am flabbergasted that this new administration does not understand the need for modesty and frugality or the practicality of common sense.

The other entity that is logically poised for the post-election windfall is the real estate industry, though I suspect that it will only be those handful of companies connected to certain seats of power. It is going to be interesting to see how the real estate largesse is going to be divided up this time around. I keep wondering which ones will be purchasing spanking new homes and for how much, or looking to refurbish the ones previously refurbished by their predecessors. I wonder also how much might be spent to upgrade those already owned by certain politicians?

Even more important is the possible windfall for overseas real estate agents, especially those in Florida and Atlanta. It would be useful to know what the best homes are going for in those American states, and if any early inquiries have been made for purchases – perhaps in some cases, additional purchases.

It appears that the Portia Simpson Miller-led administration has already made it abundantly clear that the tradition of rewarding comrades and loyalists will not end with her.

All the appointments made so far to the various public boards have been given to supporters and loyalists, and there is obviously more to come. The argument coming out of the government that the criterion is the candidate’s devotion to the administration’s policy and programmes should be stoutly challenged. Is the administration saying that it is only PNP partisans have the interest of the country at heart? Is the government contending that there are no independent and objective individuals with the competence and integrity to lead certain public bodies?

Anybody expecting anything new and different from the recently installed administration had better get a quick reality check. The same old brand of “incestuousness” that has kept the country poor, corrupt, divided and bankrupt of ideas, remains perfectly intact. The only new and different thing is the calendar year.

As we watch the spoils being dished out, there is little hope that the country’s Opposition can, or should have anything to say. After all, that too was their modus operandi – in fact, that is exactly how the political game is played by both sides – “when we’re in our team must win”.

The losers all over again are the people of Jamaica – the masses – people hoping that their lives will improve, but knowing deep down that the next opportunity for cash and contact may be four or five years away. In the meantime, they are on their own, with perhaps the exception of those who may be favoured for employment through JEEP (Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme).

I want to take the opportunity to congratulate Carol Narcisse’s Civil Society Coalition for having the courage to speak out about what I describe as the “steadily moving nepotistic gravy train”. I am aware how difficult it is to speak truth to power, especially in a society where the government is the biggest employer, so the group must be commended. The question posed by them about the criteria for selecting heads of public boards deserves an immediate and detailed answer, but given the mindset, it wouldn’t make sense for any of us to hold our breath for a response. After all, it’s the comrades’ time once again!

bab2609@yahoo.com