How's my driving?

ALLEGORICALLY, Jamaican politics is like two rival buses that sought permission to operate their respective routes independent of any external control. They muffed that golden opportunity by constantly engaging in bitter battles. Touts, hangers-on, loaders and strong-arm thugs were associated with them but the drivers and other staff members consistently denied any relationship, with or without knowledge of any unsavoury characters. This was incredible since there was incessant deadly violence between the two as the poor and unfortunate vied to make their chosen bus dominant, in return for various 'gifts'.

The buses took separate routes to get the people from point A to point B. Consequently, over the years, dominance shifted from one bus to the other. At one juncture, the driver of the dominant bus of the day became frustrated with the perceived overbearing attitude of a rich and powerful bus from the north and decided to veer left during a time of economic crisis. He may have had good intentions, but the sudden left turn panicked the passengers - many of whom abandoned all routes.

Black sheep

He even aligned himself with a nearby bus legendary for its left turn - a left turn that made it the black sheep of the region. The consequences of his left turn forced passengers to bear terrible hardships; the journey was very uncomfortable. And, the far more powerful northern bus was extremely displeased with the driver for swerving away from the accepted norm for the region. It admonished him severely and quietly supported the alternate bus.

Naturally, the people sought out that alternate (right-turning) bus for transport because it was more favoured by the powerful northern bus and promised a smoother, more comfortable ride. So, once again, control of the passengers changed hands.

The right-turning bus was back in charge. It had a very ambitious mechanic working with it for many years. He was part of a team led by a shrewd driver who intimately involved himself in every single aspect of his bus. Over time, the driver of the right-turning bus became so authoritative that the crew and passengers grew tired of his one-man-band bus.

Once again, the populace changed buses. They employed the re-invented (now right-turning) bus driver but he retired in short order and was replaced by a prominent and long-serving mechanic who had also learned to drive well enough to be able to turn right when the need arose. That bus dominated for a very long time. However, complacency set in, some of the crew were accused of incompetence and underhand activities. People lost faith in that bus, once again, and switched their support once more.

Impatient mechanic

In the interim, the ambitious mechanic grew so impatient at waiting for his chance at the wheel of the bus with the authoritative driver that he went off and constructed his own bus to drive. Even though he admitted some past knowledge of undesirable characters and fervently espoused operating all buses without the aid of touts, hangers-on, loaders and strong-arm thugs, his new bus did not conform to the accustomed way that they were constructed, so it garnered very little patronage.

The authoritative driver was ousted and the ambitious mechanic was invited back to drive his former bus. Hoping for a new style of driving, the people entrusted the ambitious mechanic to drive the dominant bus.

However, between the rough roads, unforeseen potholes, arrogance from several crew members, no discernible difference in driving style (in spite of numerous promises of change), the recent discovery of flagrant lapses of judgement and endangerment of passengers. Isn't it time that the driver asks: "How's my driving?"

Garth A. Rattray is a medical practitioner. Please send feedback to garthrattray@gmail.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.