Dennie Quill, Contributor
IT SEEMS a huge chunk of money is being spent on the PNP's presidential campaign in which there are four contenders. Financial backers are reportedly filling the pockets of their favourites. In some cases backers who are determined to have a seat by the fireside are taking no chances and have feted and contributed to more than one candidate.
Were I a candidate, I would want to find out what are the expectations of these contributors. Are they expecting the money to be spent promoting me as candidate or is there a time in the future when they will want to make a withdrawal from the favour bank, or worse, dictate policy. Were I a contributor, I would want an accounting of how my money was spent. I would hate to find out that it was spent on something like buying a suit. So while commentators are not making any noise about high campaign costs and reliance on interest groups for funds, the question looms: How much does donation influence political behaviour? It's a question that has relevance in both party and national elections.
SHIRTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
A friend of mine who regards himself as a savvy political watcher declared to me this week, "The shirts will make all the difference in this campaign." Puzzled by his observation, I asked him to elaborate. He explained that presidential contenders are issuing free shirts to their supporters throughout the length and breadth of Jamaica; he noticed that some shirts were of better quality than others. For example, some are rather flimsy, the ones that stretch with the first wash, others were of better grain, but there was one candidate who had in fact issued red cotton shirts (not tee-shirts) to his supporters.
My friend reasoned that it costs a mini fortune to issue cotton shirts as part of campaign largesse. Besides, wads of cash are being spent on advertising and propaganda literature, campaigns, transportation, accommodation and food. My friend feels the person with the most cash who can contribute to Christmas 'bling-bling', new DVDs, cellphones, etc., will emerge victorious. Others argue that spending is out of control - not the hallmark of a prudent leader, I may conclude.
So while they prowl the neighbourhoods in search of delegates' votes, there's a whole lot of chest-thumping going on. But quietly others are asking what difference will any of these candidates make? If they have all the answers, why is the country in such a parlous state when all four were at one time members of the Cabinet? How will they deal with crime? How will they tackle the decay in our many communities?
A man of wisdom once wrote: "Men (read and women) make history, but not in circumstances of their own choosing." And circumstances will play a significant role in who emerges as the new leader of the PNP and by extension the country.
HOLLAND BAMBOO FACELIFT
P.S. Guess what folks? Holland Bamboo is getting a facelift, courtesy of the National Environment and Planning Agency. I am not saying it was our advocacy that caused it, but I am ecstatic to see some action on this once pristine treasure, and I know there are scores of people who feel the same way. To all those persons who wrote letters agitating action, I think we have earned the right to celebrate this Christmas. I look forward to a refurbished Holland Bamboo in 2006, and I hope the owner of the cows can be persuaded to keep them away.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who may be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com.
