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2015: Jack’s mighty vote

December 13th, 2014 | Tags: Dickson Igwe Jack the Voter elections politics
Dickson Igwe. Photo: VINO/File
By Dickson Igwe

As predicted by this Old Boy, among others, 2015 will be a straight two party slugfest. The year promises to be a very interesting year for the British Virgin Islands. It also promises an election campaign in which voters will be assessing national issues like never before.

Now, like all the election campaigns preceding, the upcoming Virgin Islands general election has been termed CRITICAL for the future of these Lesser Antilles. All elections, it would appear are crossroad events. One general election can affect the future trajectory of a country for decades. So, Jack and his vote are never to be taken lightly.

The following story is part parody. Jack is both male and female in the story. It is first of three stories on Jack the Voter.
OK. Jack the Voter is a very formidable Beast. And every 4 years in these Antilles, Jack like the proverbial sleeping giant awakes, to cast his ballot at a general election.

Today, Jack will readily admit that in the past he has placed his personal interests above the national interest, above Queen and Country, so to speak. Jack’s greed, selfishness, and narrow-mindedness have impoverished the country. Greed has prevented the Virgin Islands from becoming a fully developed country. No one is innocent, before the finger pointing starts.

That all important retaining wall. The paved road to Jack’s front door, over budgeted to grease a palm or two. The cutting of that hill yonder, in such a manner that it benefits a piece of prime land Jack recently acquired for future residential development. These have been Jack’s top political priorities in past years.

Yes Sir, in past years, the, “what is in it for me,” had been the measuring stick for Jack’s vote. Jack’s priceless vote was for sale to either Party X or Y. Jack would have sold his democratic privilege to the highest bidder, ‘at the drop of a hat.’

Jack’s version of political vision started with the requirements of Jack’s ‘belly.’ Jack saw no further than his front door. Jack measured his virility by what he could coax out of another jack: Jack the politician. Yes, Jack was typical of most voters.

Jack was short sighted, self-obsessed, unpatriotic. But then, Jack was no different from voters in any other democracy. Politics is a game that is uniquely personal and selfish.

However, in this transition month of December 2014, into a major election campaign year in 2015, Jack is being called to a higher place. Jack must place a sword called patriotism by his side. That sword should sit in a scabbard of loyalty to crown and country, ready to be unleashed in the defense of the realm. Jack has also been given a dagger called duty. Jack must walk into 2015 well-armed politically.

And Jack should furthermore put on the cloak of integrity. The cap of discretion is to be placed on Jack’s weighty head. The Shoes of Wisdom have been fitted on to Jacks gigantic feet. Jack must walk wisely and cannily from this day forth.

Jack’s new clothes should look good on Jack. Especially when Jack stands in front the mirror named perspective. Jack should feel good about himself these days, when political ‘shenanigans’ are becoming more intense.

Why should Jack feel good: because Jack will be the decision maker this coming year and beyond. JACK IS BOSS in 2015! And Jack once more is at a time of the HISTORIC DECISION. Jack is the key player in a game called Democracy.

Yes, for a very short few months, Jack and Jill are truly KING and QUEEN. Politicians will be lining up to kiss Jack’s behind. But be warned Jack, Jack will be surely forgotten once more, after the election ends, and the Seat of Power occupied for 4 more years by Julius Caesar, beginning sometime in 2016 .

It is encouraging that today Jack appears to look at national issues first. Jack no longer ‘stresses’ over local and personal matters. Jack has learned that when national issues are taken care of effectively, then local matters are much better addressed. So it seems.

Yes, Jack is not naïve. After all, all politics is local.

But Jack has learned something new nonetheless. Jack has had an epiphany. That even more important than Jack’s personal needs, are the needs of the country. Why? Because, when the needs of the country are unmet, Jack’s attaining that retaining wall becomes a type of terrible reminder of poor priorities. The paved road to Jack’s home on the hill becomes a road to nowhere.

But when the needs of the wider country are met first, and the vision of El Dorado is getting closer, then the value of Jack’s home, and its surroundings, increase. Jack’s family’s quality of life improves, with the intelligent and visionary development of the country. Jack and Jill, enjoy the safety and security that accompany good governance. When the national vision is achieved, the result is happiness and joy for Jack.

Yes Jack, in 2015 the final decision is yours. Once again, you’ve got the whole world in your hands Jack.

To be continued

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