Date announced or not the opposition Jamaica Labour Party is gearing up for general elections. Well My Friend P was saying the JLP has been in opposition so long that they must have a hunger to be in charge that knows no second.

I said to P that I am not convinced that I stand to benefit in any way from either the ruling People's National Party or the JLP.

Because the truth is that all policies and systems that are set up in this country are exclusively designed either for those who are dirt, dirt poor or those who are rich. And since neither My Friend P nor I fall into any of these categories we know we were both born on a Saturday and must work hard for our living.

But we watch still with interest the posturing. The thrust for education started again by the opposition is good. Shall we say very good - if they are serious. And were this thrust to become a real turning point in their fortunes at the polls it would be the irony of ironies.

lost their way

The ruling party that claims to put people first - headed by a People's Prime Ministress - was the party that planted the seed that education should be free and a right not a privilege. They lost their way somewhere and that is why we are now where we are.

But the benefits of education are hard to count for people can only see the world in dollars and cents and this is a serious problem. Yet until we get our people educated there will be issues.

An educated population:

- is easier to govern.

- is less hostile by nature

- solves puzzles rather than destroys them

- is more inclined to talk first than take violent action

- thinks they are smart

- will be less involved in violent crime

- is inclined to avoid confrontation

- is likely to be kinder to tourists/visitors

- will be harder to bribe by politicians

Maybe it is that last point that makes me so sceptical about how serious our politicians are about getting this free education thing going.

Just imagine a Jamaican political party not having the ability to mobilise thousands of people to go trekking around the island in motorcades for days on end. Just imagine a Jamaican politician being really required to win an election based on debating the issues and convincing people to vote for him/her. I think they would go stir crazy.

But P and I must hold back our cynicism. after all, we all know that to educate our people is the right thing, right? I sure hope so.

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