by Rick Lowe

On Second Thought was a weekly column this blogger wrote for The Bahama Journal from July 7, 1998 through September 7, 1999. Some of them might be dated by now, but I republish them here for what they are worth.

On Second Thought! June 29, 1999.

Sublime to ridiculous

My parents always told me that I would become disillusioned with our political process. Of course being younger and naïve I honestly felt one could accept most politicians and the people involved at face value…my parents were right.

This is not an exercise in FNM bashing because they have brought us a long way on the road toward freedom and responsibility, unfortunately they do not seem able to articulate that rights or privileges bear responsibilities. They are incontrovertibly linked liked scorched and conch.

A few examples

1. Price Controls: The opportunity presented itself recently to correspond with a politician on the issue of price controls. To my astonishment I understood him to say that he agreed with me that they were not necessary. At least he said our positions were very similar on the issue. Unfortunately he had participated in a debate in the House of Assembly only days before, seemingly extolling the virtues of price controls.

2. Unwed mothers are another issue I frequently raise when speaking with politicians. None have ever disagreed with me that this helps create economic disadvantages for most of the children raised in this environment. However, you hear very few of them discussing this issue in public.

3. Governmental waste of our tax dollars is unbelievable. Several years ago I served on the Government’s Vocational & Technical Training Board at what was then the Industrial Training Centre. They had a new truck valued at approximately $32,000 at the time that for several months sat in front of the office where our meetings were held. Being the inquisitive type I kept asking when the vehicle would be repaired. Each month I was assured it was being dealt with. Finally, in a fit of temper at the utter disregard for my tax dollars I left no doubt as to what course of action I would take if the truck was there the following month. It was subsequently repaired and put back into use. It is important to note that ITC or BTVI as it is called today has the responsibility for teaching mechanical and body repairs to its students. Here again, there is little argument from the politicians as to the benefits of cleaning these situations up.

4. Education is another issue that needs effective reform. Again there are nods of agreement or very little disagreement from the politicians on this one. But what happens? Education gets more and more of our tax dollars with worse results.

Misplaced faith

It’s far too easy for us to believe the eloquent and seductive speeches from both sides of Parliament that politicians will fulfil our hopes and dreams for us. This is impossible. If they have the political will they can make opportunities available but as individuals we have to make the effort ourselves.

Yes it seems to come easy for some people to succeed; others take years to get there, while others never “make it.” I don’t think it can be any other way. However I think we do ourselves a disservice when we prefer to believe that success – however we define it – comes without effort.

Our misplaced faith in the politician is part of the problem.

Adopt Reagan’s vision

President Ronald Reagan offered Americans hope in their ability…not his. James Strock wrote, “Ronald Reagan was elected to a dispirited country that had lost its way…” “ How Reagan turned the country around is an inspiration for leaders everywhere.”

President Reagan had a simple vision and in 1980 he articulated it this way, “At the heart of our message should be five simple familiar words. No big economic theories. No sermons on political philosophy. Just five short words: family, work, neighbourhood, freedom, peace.”

We would do well to follow this vision and just maybe the ridiculous will become sublime.