We hear the urgings of former prime minister of Jamaica, the Honourable Mr Percival James Patterson, that politicians should be shown appreciation while they are alive and can acknowledge such.

Mr Patterson made the call to Jamaicans as he paid tribute to the late agriculture minister and People’s National Party Vice-President Emeritus Roger Clarke at his official funeral Saturday last.

Give them the accolades while they are alive instead of constantly lambasting politicians, Mr Patterson argued.

“A fitting measure in Roger’s memory demands that we cease to vilify our political leaders, to lump them together in a class of gang who are inimical to the national well being, then we wait until they die to praise lavishly for their national contribution,” Mr Patterson said.

Mr Patterson is correct.

In fact, appreciation for the positive work of all human beings, no matter their standing in society, should always be shown while one is alive. This is only just.

But, while we agree wholeheartedly with the former prime minister, throwing around praises and showering awards merely for the sake of appeasing politicians’ egos is not in the best message of inculcating national well being.

National accolades and awards should be earned, not doled out along political party lines or at the whim of political allies.

Give the politicians the merited praises, yes. But unwise or deleterious decisions by politicians must equally be brought to the fore and given the attention and vociferous lambasting they deserve.

One does not negate the other.

Politicians, as with anyone else in any sphere of endeavour, must earn the accolades and rewards they so greatly desire.

While Mr Patterson, in his discourse, did not say what level of praise he expects for politicians whom are deemed to be doing good work, one significant reward that politicians often overlook in their line of work is a return to office after an election.

Indeed, Mr Patterson, in remembering the life of his friend, cautioned politicians to change their attitude and take a page from Clarke.

In our reflection on this life of a Jamaican icon, we can begin to change our attitude to political engagement; he moulded a template for practitioners in the heart of politics, Mr Patterson said.

So while Roger Clarke’s death has again brought to the fore the politicians’ yearning for praise, the onus still rests with the politicians to rise above the fray and deliver fairly in the national good. Praise will come — if even at election time.

Moreover, isn’t the vocation of a politician founded on a calling to serve a nation without expecting grand rewards in return? Politicians, of whatever shade or hue, must ponder this.