Patterson
Leonardo Blair, Staff Reporter
PRIME MINISTER P. J. Patterson's expression of disappointment over what he said was the lack of respect for him has not evoked much sympathy from the Jamaican public.
While some agree that he has not been shown enough respect, many contend that's his and his Government's fault.
"I think it is he who has disrespected the people," said 66-year-old Rudolph Perry, a resident of Hanover. "I think there has been too much corruption under his leadership and the poor are suffering even more. He doesn't deserve the respect.
"Even the statement he made about the women, the apology is a face-card, you can't fire a bullet at somebody and pull it back. A man of his intelligence shouldn't have said something like that."
In his address at the People's National Party (PNP) 65th annual conference two Saturdays ago, Prime Minister Patterson lamented a general lack of respect from the Jamaican public despite what he said, was all the things he had done for the country.
DIFFERENT STYLE
"Every leader has a different style and my style is the style. I am a humble man and I will always be to my dying day... Blood runs through my veins like everybody else's but I know that I have never got the respect where respect is due for the things that I have done," Mr. Patterson had said.
Among other things, Mr. Patterson said, "I build more highway than anybody else. I have done more to reduce poverty than everybody else. More people have running water, more people stop use kerosene, more people have electricity, more people have telephone and more man have gal than at any time else."
Despite his disappointment, however, several Jamaicans last week wondered what was he lamenting about.
Marketing manager of Digicel, Harry Smith, told The Sunday Gleaner that despite Mr. Patterson's lament he should expect no special praises for doing a job he was employed to do and if he isn't getting favourable feedback from the people it simply suggests that he might not be doing something right.
"First of all, public servants must realise that that's what they are, public servants. They volunteer themselves to work for us.
"The populace didn't respond to them based on how they perceive their work as men. If people aren't showing the respect for his achievements it may be because his achievements haven't been recognised as achievements as much as he might think," he explained.
Managing director of Brandram Henderson W.I. Ltd., Dudley Horner, said: I am not a politician here and I won't comment on the matter of respect but I can tell you that the business people are catching hell. Something is wrong somewhere. I know if any business was being run the way this country is being run we would be in trouble."
Some people sympathised with Mr. Patterson however, saying even though he may not be doing a job to suit everyone, he should be given the respect that is expected with his office.
"In some aspects, he (P.M.) deserves what he is getting and in some ways he doesn't," said 38-year-old Lincoln Buchanan. "On the matter of the 'gal' comments, you have to understand that P.J. is a Jamaican. When him say the word 'gal' is just a slang and mi feel like the people them a gwaan too hard on him fi that. Them must respect him still because he is the Prime Minister."
Another respondent who didn't wish to be identified said: "I don't think that he is getting what he deserves re: respect. I have listened to people in the media, especially on radio. Whenever I hear the people calling in, it is disgusting, regardless of who is up there. I don't agree with it."
It was Waldy Davis, 59, however, who gave the unpopular explanation for Mr. Patterson's respect woes.
"I wouldn't say him getting exactly what him deserve right now because a lot of people might have gotten a lot of benefits from him.
"I never receive any. But on a whole Jamaican people ungrateful from morning so nuh matter what happen them not going to satisfy."
