Gordon Robinson | Continuity not enough, Jamaica needs vision

In dominoes continuity/consistency is important but vision is the most vital element of success.

Because you’re in a two person team, you should try to be consistent. Play the same card as often as possible. A consistent message to partner is essential. But you must also see clearly how the game is likely to unfold and craft a strategy to get there as soon, directly and obstacle free as possible. But, wherever there’s conflict vision trumps consistency every time.

“Take out a half sheet a paper!” said Father Winshman. Or, better yet, use a real pack of dominoes to see, in real time, the game I’m about to describe. Time for a pop quiz!

You draw the following: six-five; five-ace; four-deuce; trey-deuce; trey-ace; double-ace; ace-blank. Partner poses double-six (Gene Autry’s House Rule); left hand opponent (LHO) plays six-deuce; you play deuce-trey (never cut partner’s pose without good cause; deuce-four sends the wrong message as it’s your only four). Right hand opponent (RHO) contributes trey-five (hinting RHO has no sixes; should’ve cut the pose); partner plays six-blank.

Mental note: partner “ran” from RHO’s five and cut his own pose. Fives are giving him discomfort. Now LHO plays five-four. Four and blank face you. What do you play?

You must play blank-ace despite “cutting” partner’s card (only played after he was forced to cut his own pose). Your vision of the game’s future must be to prevent another five facing your partner for as long as possible. You hold ace-five. Five-four was just played. RHO can’t play five!

Jamaican governance faces a similar scenario with a similar need. On September 3, those participating in the electoral process clearly voted for continuity and against a change in political management. Continuity was delivered by way of a cabinet of veterans with very few changes none of which introduced any rookies. However, in addition, PM committed to succession planning to ensure a future where vision and continuity wouldn’t conflict.

So far, so good!

Unfortunately continuity alone seems to be the Opposition’s plan as it began its new term still whining childishly and publicly telling Government who it ought not to appoint as Speaker.

Sigh.

It’s just plain sad. Sulky complaining while blaming others for your own deficiencies doesn’t leave room for the introspection or renewal vital to the development of a new political vision for Jamaica and reversal of past adverse results. Insistence on the same old political gamesmanship has gone as far as the filing of a complaint to the Constituted Authority regarding the conduct of the election in West Central St. Andrew where PM predictably won by more than 2,000 votes.

This infantile action seems to have been encouraged by hype coming out of election night coverage when, after 87 boxes were counted, Paul Buchanan was leading narrowly. Then it seemed to take forever for the rest of the boxes to be reported after which PM was declared a comfortable winner. Again I blame poor media election coverage that failed to inform listeners/viewers of the constituency’s well-known political demographics. Every election votes from a particular JLP stronghold are counted last and normal political reality returns. I suspect that at least the young JLP representative on TVJ’s panel knew this but not a word in English was spoken.

Where’s Steve Kornacki when we need him?

For a PNP candidate, who should be aware of the constituency’s history and demographics, to allege electoral fraud is ridiculous. But, hopefully, one day soon, PNP will grow up and decide to act responsibly. In the meantime it seems determined to throw itself deeper down a black hole of irrelevance. The perennial petulance and misplaced sense of entitlement it exudes won’t help Jamaica progress or prosper. It won’t encourage good governance.

Time come for PNP to develop a VISION. Time to convince Jamaicans it has a vision of the way forward not an obsession with rearview mirrors.

BREAKING NEWS: The election is over. JLP won. PNP lost. Everybody needs to get a grip; move on from political finger pointing; insane allegations; demented reasoning; and irrational denial. There’s a new Government. That Government, because of its length of time in office, is highly likely to become complacent, arrogant and autocratic. We must do what we can to discourage any such tendency by extreme vigilance and sharp, focused critique to hold Government accountable to the people.

There’s no time for immature politicking. Together we must help to build this nation into the powerhouse it ought to have become decades ago.

Vision 2030 foresees “a vibrant and internationally competitive economy; a secure and cohesive society; a healthy natural environment; a high level of human capital development; and greater opportunities for social and economic mobility and prosperity.” This is what our grandchildren demand. They don’t need any more polytricks.

Peace and Love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com