A RECENT limited study has cast some doubt on the feasibility of direct-to-consumer drug advertising for prescription drugs. It cites several reasons why the effect of such advertising is waning. I would like to believe that one of them (not mentioned in the study) is the long and frightening list of possible side effects (including death) that many prescribed drugs have.

The same may be said about politics in Jamaica. It is an integral part of our democratic process. It seeks to give all adult citizens the opportunity to choose their parliamentary representative. Our political process has done a lot of good for our little island but it has also caused and continues to cause immense suffering.

Politics can be so messy that it is often shunned and even reviled by many who possess a genuine and selfless desire to serve their country. Representational politics has its positives but the list of possible side effects is just as long and scary as the lists that we see on direct-to-consumer drug ads.

Only two political parties predominate in Jamaica. Anyone seriously attempting to become a member of parliament needs to align himself or herself with one of them. Our society has been so politicised that individuals who are labelled as belonging to one political party or the other risk having their lives and livelihood inextricably intertwined with the fate of their chosen party. This may bode well or ill, depending on the success or failure of their party. In other words, a lot is put at stake when one commits to representational politics.

'Run for office'

As soon as someone is accepted by the party machinery and declares his or her hand by announcing an intent to represent the people ('run for office'), swarms of hangers on, professional mendicants, touts and toughies (dependents of one sort or the other looking for handouts and constant support in exchange for their fealty), appear and seek out the would-be representative. All of a sudden strangers declare that they are the candidate's 'man' or 'woman' —meaning that they 'belong' to him/her (are committed to and dependent on him/her, are at his/her disposal and deserve all the 'benefits' that being a party supporter brings). The resultant financial strain on candidates is astounding.

Involvement in Jamaican politics can so determine one's success or failure in life or whether one starves or thrives that, inevitably, the threat of violence or violence itself becomes a real issue. They don't seem to want to kill the top or popular politicians but they will kill the 'small fry'. I suspect that they fear the awful repercussions if someone well known or high up in the hierarchy is shot at or shot up. Since many start out as 'small fry', the risk to life and limb is a deterrent.

I can't say with any accuracy whether certain personalities enter politics or whether politics transforms people into certain personalities. Maybe it is because of the power that politics brings. Maybe it is because politics can open up a world of social and business opportunities. Perhaps it is because our politicians can get away with an awful lot while those in more developed, democratic countries are subjected to far greater scrutiny and accountability —but, some politicians have, from time to time, demonstrated arrogance, deception, manipulation and corruption.

Economic ruin

Politicians who expose the wrongs of their colleagues and/or party face ostracism and/or economic ruin. As long as our politics has so many 'side effects', many good, decent Jamaicans will preclude themselves from serving at that level.

Garth Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Feedback may be sent to garthrattray@gmail.com and columns@gleanerjm.com