QUESTION: How much longer will be the run-up to the next general election? In other words, how much can we take of the doses of bad mind, cantankerous and uncivil behaviour leading to “mash it down to build it up” in the name of progress? Election campaigns were never intended to be love affairs, but that shouldn’t mean that we have to live only to beat up and “batter-bruise” one another.

Luckily, we haven’t sunk to the cruel level of the 1970s, when democracy was reinforced with gun smoke. So far, there is no evidence that any of such senseless acts having anything to do with the journey to Polling Day. For these and other mercies of self-discipline, give thanks.

In the meantime, however, we are wearing ourselves and others down with an outburst of character assassination and community divisiveness. Have you ever asked yourself what we used to do before social media created a new world of gossip? Now, nobody has to leave the comforts of home to go and stand up at street corners to hear party leader one cuss out party leader two.

So, we mash up and tear down anybody and send the remnants overseas by e-mail, if we want to. Then, we worry why so many members of the new generation think so little of politics and politicians and proudly declare that they have no interest in participating in the democratic process?

This doesn’t stop us here or others Up There from making absolute idiots of ourselves fighting for candidates, too many of whom are not worth the time of day, and end up trying for a sales pitch which will lead the innocent astray. Take the current US race to succeed in placing Democrat or Republic in the White House. Take us here (anywhere but There), noting the endless chat on the topic of who can do what better. Here at home, we don’t know the date of the great election, but that doesn’t stop us from wearing ourselves down like sharpened pencils trying to convince one another that “cockroach nuh business inna fowl fight”.

The problem is that things have reached such a low level that we find it difficult to differentiate between the cockroach and the fowl. One thing which binds the two is the common battle for survival. The pollsters have not been able to predict if the cockroach is more powerful than the fowl, or is it the other way. Well, someone is drawing the line and daring the other to cross it.

Campaigns right now in the hallowed halls of Parliament seem to be turning up the flames on the stove. Somebody may end up roasted before we are satisfied that this is a battle worth the time and effort. Who in their right mind could ever believe that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) struggle would still be staggering under the load of who left the room and didn’t come back, from the toilet or the lunch room? Surely, such locations couldn’t be one and the same?

Cast your mind to all the urgencies of daily survival and try to understand how we manage. Time and again, we have come perilously close to demonstrating to the wider world, that we are committed to another round of cockroach vs fowl, whether they can recognise it or not. There has also been the battle of the wannabes on US TV where the combatants in the Republican ring took the opportunity to show their electorate who is worthy of winning the fight to spend years to come in one of the world’s hottest seats?

Republicans have no objection to destroying fellow Republicans, so long as the last gladiator is left standing. Then, he or she can be put back into the ring for another round of sparring and to receive the cheers of the mob.

It is questionable if this method is any better or any worse than a slower dance of destruction, which we here like to indulge in. Which is worse: the punching or slugging away in the American ring or our slow chipping away until the day of reckoning is finally made known? So, when we can put on the boxing gloves and take to the ring?

Why should what happens in ‘Merica be of such interest to us? Because it is ‘Merica and we depend on them? Of course! If Donald Trump were to end up in the White House, would it benefit us? If the pious surgeon Dr Carson were to substitute healing of mind and spirit for being ruler of the entire world, would it change America and our lives? Is it just curiosity when it holds us so enthralled, or do we believe other people can save us?

There is a whole lot going on Up There. Meanwhile, we convince ourselves that Down Here we are not worthy of consideration; consequently, we specialise in belly-aching and doing some weird stuff. Should the mud slinging in our Senate the other day have really extended to the president’s disability, ie his lack of sight? Why is it now a problem?

Are we going to let politics drag us down to such a low level that we could be throwing words about whether Mr Morris can do the job well or not? What has he been doing up to now? Wasn’t that a low blow, when he has been consistent and dedicated, and where did it come from all of a sudden? That must be what is meant by “wi head tek wi”.

PS: It is said that Donald Trump has supporters here who are relying on his victory and his generosity. We always like things that come from America, especially the dollars. So dem say. Really? Truly? It is said some are actually hoping he will end up ruling us, too. Is a joke. Right? Don’t we have enough “chupidniss” and mad rulers here already?

WHAT NEXT?

The public defender has spoken. Consultations have been held. Endless words have been published and almost as many let loose on the airways. So, when will the St Hilda’s suss come to an end? If we want healing for the schoolgirl who has been at the centre of the storm, as we claim, why is the matter still being dragged on and on and on? I don’t get it. Who stands to gain? Whose truth are we really seeking?

Barbara Gloudon is a journalist, playwright and commentator. Send comments to the Observer or to gloudonb@yahoo.com.