Because I have long decided to abandon my fore-parents’ hard-won right to vote, I am/was tempted to tell you-all to ignore all these open and subtle election moves, gimmicks, dirty-tricks, speeches and writings.
However, I must respect your exercising your right to elect your representatives from this lot, or some newcomers you’re probably hoping for. So since you’ll still be caught up in this “elections thing”, let me guide the younger electorate especially (18-30 years).
That the early-early pre-election “campaign” is already on, there can be little doubt.
Some early election moves
With an eye to 2011, (early or late?), just listen to the rhetoric , the charges and counter charges. Read, if you really care to, the early elections-related “issues”. Note how every type of issue can be made political, firstly, then electoral in some manner.
As I hinted last Friday, I’m still newspaper addicted. I read all and actually write for one or two. But as I try my best to be a-political, I can’t help but notice the loaded letters (watch for about six specific letter-writers – both pro-government “professionals”, and the identifiable former, now bitter PPP/C members); the new columns and features, et al.
The Chronicle even took a photograph of a private meeting on Tuesday and the Kaieteur is going to be relentless with its anti-government exposes. (Some say the Publisher of the latter daily is no longer a cell-phone buddy of the President?)
But this I find predictable, as Hugh Cholmondeley reported that the issue of the advantage of the incumbency had engaged the authorities’ attention before and during Trinidad and Tobago’s recent elections. It’s always a heated issue at election time in “unregulated” Third World societies. The government and its ruling Party should never be allowed free, unfettered and unfair use of the State’s resources in pursuit of its campaign. It puts the opposition forces at a disadvantage – both economic and practical – and psychological.
Always however, amidst the debate, especially where there are no legal guidelines as there are in India, the government feels free to engage in well-publicised – and strategized – “outreaches” around the country; to make donations, to complete massive projects to benefit (favourite, supportive) communities; to pay out salary increases and to appear quite charitable even as it executes what should be normally expected of it.
My point to you “voters” is this, in summary; spare yourself time to identify the “election moves and tactics”. By all contenders. Analyse the worthy or worthless; the unnecessary, the unkind and the rational, when you discover the early campaign tactics. Should you have time with it? With them? Those who would be “leaders?” who yearn merely to be members of parliament (MP’s) benefitting from attractive perks you yourself can’t access even as they pretend to represent you and your interests?
Our realities…
All these electoral moves and preparations, of course, are gathering momentum in the midst of our continuous and collective working-class misery. If you’re not into takings from corrupt practices, cocaine trafficking, favoured-few status or outright criminality, you have to be facing the daily challenges thrown up at you by this depressed economy.
From urban ghetto to coastland village to hinterland community, the working-class majority live in sub-standard dwellings made into “homes”, struggle to send children to school, doctor and really purchase properly from the supermarket. Yes we exist. But we don’t progress or prosper if alternative incomes or the overseas remittances are not accessed.
Everyday crime, disease challenges, unlawful rowdyism, fear of the crooks and the police all make it a tough life as politicians and pretenders discuss coalition and alliance politics. They want to replace the incumbents badly. They say we all want that too. Me? I say it will be déjà vu (“all over again”).
The World Cup – and Hitler
Every four years – during World Cup football – I marvel at the phenomenon of how the lucrative world of sport and prestige either defines or determines the changing – sometimes temporarily – acceptable – nature of race, nationality and allegiance.
A significant step-up from the foreign player being engaged by another country’s top-rated club, sees a national of any ethnicity being passed to qualify to play for another country – not of his birth. Like countries do for track-and-field foreign stars – refugee or new immigrant, World Cup football does for countries really craving to do well – or to win.
My biased mind mischievously looks for which Chinese would play for Tanzania, or if a Caucasian Dane would play for Jamaica. I love, wonder and marvel at the non-racial ethnic mix at World Cup Football tournaments. Immigration problems and race give way to nationality and football skill at world cup time! Sure, a good, gifted Pakistani-related forward, born in Togo would be picked to play for Togo.
Oh but I find fun in seeing dark-skinned Afro’s, born in the country, or naturalized, playing for European and Asian teams especially. This week in South Africa, I’m beholding Africans, Afro-descended or Afro-mixed, playing for Mexico, Switzerland and Germany! What would poor Adolph Hitler say!? A black man representing Germany? The Fatherland!? Long Live International Football!
Until…
If a Party provides you with largesse before elections, would that act alone make you vote for it during elections?
Be careful with polls and surveys. They are useful but could be manipulated and skillfully used by strategists. Take time to be influenced.
Whatever happened to Minister Rohee’s lie detectors?
‘Til next week!
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
