I AM now anticipating being awakened by loud jingles. Campaign season is drawing ever so near, and we can only wish it away.
This is my first election in adulthood when I am no longer bothered by public relations staff of politicians and the politicians themselves, and I am enjoying the quiet. Gone are the seasonal friends, and I’m loving it.
While I understand the PR person’s job, I still look with fondness and greater value at those who extend real friendship or effort to extend the association beyond the big friendly smiles that meet you only during election season.
But who am I to look down at them when my smiles were just as plastic. My job before required me to represent the company the best I can. Thus, while I would have loved to snub them, even sneer at them, I smile, like them. What a life that was.
Now, I just dread the campaign jingles blaring over public address systems going around the city; the worst being stuck in traffic with a recorrida behind you. But like my past life, that’s just part of our reality. Anyway, like the fake smiles of politicians and their PR people, these will soon be gone, right before election day.
Through the three decades that I had to suffer these fake smiles, I have come to realize that the sincerity of the smile and connection is directly proportional to the sincerity of a candidate’s pledge to serve.
Thus, I have the distinct advantage of blacklisting them as they come and go every election season.
Having said all that, may this election be the best ever yet as we elect those who really deserve a seat, those who are running to serve the people and not themselves.
We have witnessed the last election that people can indeed decide who sits in power. Let us decide well for all elective positions and put an end to all these fake smiles and promises.