From ‘chronic’ to tonic
A colourful transport mogul was once quoted as saying that Jamaica is “in a state of chronic”. Well, we have fast been moving away from that to a state of panic, given the crime and grime, the corruption and crass indiscipline among the many other negatives which plague this land, compounded further by what Leader
of the Opposition Portia Simpson Miller referred to
as “Taxmas”.
In this scenario, what Jamaica needs is a tonic to get it out of the “chronic” and “panic”. After all, now that Christmas itself is behind us with all its attendant festivities and escapist pursuits, the new year looms even larger and ominous like the moon before the gathering storm clouds that will obliterate it from view and thus engender an evil darkness. If the new tax package is the bitter medicine that the nation has to swallow in order for the necessary “wash-out” to take place, then what is left of that economically ravaged structure will need something to give it a feeling of vigour and well-being.
And that’s where all well-thinking Jamaicans, both here and abroad, come in. I am urging my readers, including my usual detractors and narrow-minded partisans, to come up with meaningful suggestions, programmes, projects and ideas that can fuel production, revive a patriotic spirit and help Jamaicans to become more useful and happy. In this vein, for each of my columns in the new year, I shall be devoting a section to the way forward and therefore anticipate your input which will be duly acknowledged.
In the meantime, as 2009 comes to a close, there are some pet peeves on my mind that I want to put on the table with the hope that a thorough examination of them will urge the guilty to change their ways and make Jamaica a better place for us all in the long run.
Here in Montego Bay, I am becoming increasingly concerned about what I refer to as “pedestrian crosses”. With the introduction of the new traffic system in the western city, many people who cross the streets in the downtown area have been paying no attention at all to the signals. They just walk willy-nilly across the roadways, often in the line of moving traffic, with a certain in-your-face feistiness, even when drivers have been given the green light.
Much of this behaviour stems from ignorance or outright insolence. Just recently, a pregnant woman with a small child in tow walked in front of my vehicle, even as I was slowly and cautiously going through the green light as is my right of way. I had to slow down immediately, and in the process my vehicle just stopped a few inches from her protruding stomach. Giving me a most disdainful look, she launched into a furious tirade telling me what I should go and do to my mother!
The National Works Agency has placed the necessary equipment alongside the traffic lights to indicate to pedestrians when to cross but this is being ignored. Part of the problem is that so many commuters had got used to bobbing and weaving through vehicular traffic, they are totally ignoring proper procedure. This is a most life-threatening situation which must be addressed by public education as well as some form of sanctioning. Frankly, I wish there were some way pedestrians could be penalised in the same way motorists are for such carelessness and lack of common sense!
Another practice that peeved me throughout the year is the behaviour of our parliamentarians, both in the lower and upper houses, especially when pressing matters of state are being debated or discussed. The recent presentation with respect to the new tax package by Finance Minister Audley Shaw and Prime Minister Bruce Golding saw some members of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party behaving in a most arrogant and unconscionable manner. Indeed, one would think what was being announced was a set of goodies in time for Christmas! The bitter irony was that the people bawled and the tax package had to be withdrawn forthwith.
The way in which our elected representatives continue to conduct themselves while doing the people’s business is often akin to a brawl in the dancehall. Our governor general in his capacity as our first citizen should have the courage to berate these men and women and ask them to set a better example. Other influential people and organisations should join in this call to plead with our MPs and senators to behave in a more civil and tolerant manner at Gordon House.
As for those ignoramuses who persistently toot their horns the moment the traffic light changes to green… yuk! When will they stop this stupid and annoying practice? And, yes, in most cases it is taxi drivers and minibus operators who are constantly in a state of impatience and irascibility. They are the same ones who “bad-drive” everyone, breaking stoplights, overtaking at spots where this is not allowed, stopping in the middle of the road to let off and take on passengers, or just having a chat with another driver, or making change! Where are the police when you need them? Then again, for the most part, they usually turn a blind eye. Is it because so many of them own and operate public transport vehicles?
Another peeve of mine is the constant call on journalists, be they columnists or reporters, analysts or commentators, to stop criticising and come up with solutions. Really! So what do we elect people to do? What do we pay public servants to do? Gimme a break! A journalist’s primary role, as has been stated elsewhere, is to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. This business of going after the messenger rather than focusing on the message has caused many in the media to become wish-washy, lukewarm, self-deprecating or outright cowardly. Well, I have absolutely no intention of falling into that trap. I will give solutions if and when I feel like. My task is to keep those who were elected to stand and deliver on their toes, not to be comfortable while others do their work for them!
And my final pet peeve is, why do we continue to be a nation of “wagonists”? We are always appealing to the lowest common multiple. Is it any wonder we continue to be a nation of persistent poverty and mediocrity in most things we do? Have a productive, happy and safe 2010.
lloydbsmith@hotmail.com