Protecting the trough - Political pigs, JLP and PNP, in bed together

Linton P. Gordon, Contributor

No matter how we try to deny it, we cannot escape the reality that the JLP and the PNP both treat Jamaica as a huge trough from which their members should feed when they are in control of the reins of power. They are akin to hostile tribes who wage war against each other for control of the trough. Once control of the trough is secured, the tribe in control feeds its members, leaving members of the other tribe to starve. The PNP had control of the trough for 18 years, ending in 2007, and there is no doubt that during that time, members of that party fed from the trough liberally.

Some became overfed and obese, while others simply became rotten rich. Those controlling the trough usually develop an air of arrogance about them. No longer are they servants of the people. Instead, they see themselves as rulers of a country whose citizens should submit to their whims and fancies and never question any of their decisions.

Both tribes, the PNP and the JLP, have solid support among the citizens of this country, and this can best be seen by examining electoral trends over the past 35 years. During this period, we have had seven general elections, and on no occasion - except the one-horse 1983 poll - did either of the tribes receive less than 40 per cent of the popular vote. In 1976, for example, when the PNP won by a large margin of seats, the JLP never got less than 40 per cent of the popular vote.

Likewise, in the 1980 election, when the JLP all but wiped out the PNP from Gordon House, the PNP never got less than 40 per cent of the vote. If we accept as empirical evidence shows a 40 per cent minimum for each party, we have to conclude that no matter what happens in Jamaica, there will always be 40 per cent of the electorate supporting the JLP tribe and 40 per cent of the electorate supporting the PNP tribe. The balance of 20 per cent of the electorate is what determines who will win the election. If the majority of that 20 per cent sides with the JLP, it will be the winner; if they side with the PNP, it will be the winner.

This political reality is both good and bad for the country. It is good to the extent that it is an insurance against dictatorship and an established foundation for multi-party democracy. On the other hand, it is a hindrance to the development of third parties and the emergence and survival of independent thinkers, in particular those not aligned to either of these tribes.

both parties closing ranks

What is very dangerous about these two tribes is that whenever they believe, or they get the impression, that there is a threat to the trough, they will agree to a temporary or a convenient cessation of hostility and close ranks. The tribes are united against Greg Christie because of the threat he poses to their access to the trough. He was appointed by the PNP administration and was hailed and loved by the JLP while it was in Opposition. The PNP, while in power, was uncomfortable with him, but with an election pending, it prudently kept quiet. Now that the JLP is in power, it no longer loves the contractor general and we are now being told that both the PNP and the JLP are not satisfied with him. Christie is a threat to the trough, Christie must go!

The refusal of the JLP to make full disclosure of how the loan from China will be spent is an example of one tribe protecting the contents of the trough.

After 18 years in power, the PNP developed the skill and craft of feeding from the trough even before our very eyes without us knowing that they were doing so. They learnt to slice the trough in thin slices like one does fruitcake.

The JLP is yet to learn these skills and, instead, is hogging the trough like a heavy potato pudding. The result: their feeding from the trough is obvious and conspicuous. No doubt, in time they will develop the craft and skill of the PNP in feeding from the trough.

Do you agree with Linton Gordon's view.Email letters@gleanerjm.com