It’s a dump. No two ways about it, it stinks, full of discarded bodies, threats of exposure, conflicts run amuck. It just keeps piling higher, just like a garbage dump.
Why is this? What kind of self respecting person would put themselves up for the kind of abuse, in the face of impossible challenges, to serve a public that just wants handouts?
None that I know would, that’s for sure.
Let us analyze the situation, as best we can, as laypersons.
Our political leadership, sometimes lately called our political elite, an oxymoron if ever there was one, is comprised mainly of lawyers, and currently feature the progeny of former lawyer/leaders.
Aside from the fact that these are argumentative people at best, and skilled in the arts of manipulation and interpretation, for special interests, i.e. clients, they are not exactly the most ethical group we could choose our leadership from.
Looking at the purely practical side, as lawyers, whether they win or lose the clients case, they win. Financially, they can do themselves no wrong.
To most lawyers, only two of whom I would count as friends or acquaintances incidentally, most will agree, the law is an ass, to be interpreted to their own favor, and if the client benefits, then good show. But it is not the show and as we can see from our parliamentary debates, an extraordinary show it is.
So this special interest group has wrested control of our country from the actual entities that are charged with running the country, the permanent secretaries of the various ministries of government. This is why they are called permanent, because they stay there.
It is a career thing. Not elected for 5 year terms.
I say they, the politicians have bypassed them, because at every turn, the politicians are into everything, and at every level. This has come to include cutting “business deals” with almost every foreign person and entity that sees the potential to make money in our country. It is not that we Bahamians do not see this potential for ourselves; it’s just that we are sort of, well, controlled or excluded by these lawyer types.
But to get back to the business deals, the ones that are supposed to be good for the country that will increase our G.D.P. or create employment for Bahamians, and be profitable for the foreign investor also. Lawyers just are not good at them and in fact, by their training, for them to win, someone else must lose. This shows in the deals they have cut as of late. They are not good deals.
Businessmen (and women) on the other hand, are intrinsically good at cutting deals, and in fact, all things being roughly equal, if two business persons are negotiating with each other, both will get a good deal. If they do not, they and their business will suffer. Or they will breach their contract, and need lawyers, who will ultimately win, for themselves, of course.
If we agree that our country, with it’s over 3 billion dollar debt, and its rampant crime, and its “D’ average school grade, is in trouble and is facing ever increasing pressures and challenges ahead, should we not consider consulting with, or better still, electing those types who are good at solving problems? Those who are good at surviving in adversarial scenarios and who stay in business despite these challenges?
In point of fact, the adversarial conditions that business people overcome and succeed against are created wholly by these same lawyer politico types, and those who follow them.
Our current crop of 2nd generation political elites does not believe in consultation, except where they must, in order to win. But they will only consult with other lawyers, thus compounding the problem. Lawyers come in on a problem when all other avenues have failed, and a judge must intervene to settle a dispute, and argue with each other, and the judge, to convince of their clients correct position or standing in the dispute.
This is not what we need in our house of assembly at this time.
We need action, and an honest evaluation of our countries various dismal situations, so the problems can be fixed, not argued about.
I note with interest, the creation of a “forum” at C.O.B. to study the ramifications of these trade agreement we are heading for.
Let us save some time here, on behalf of our people. Let C.O.B. students study them, for the purpose of academic debate: but let government and business people consult together on them with the purpose of creating policy and seeing the pitfalls.
These trade agreements are no school project. I can understand the politico’s fear of the ramifications and issues that business people will flag or raise, but I think they should fear more the public outrage and anger if they do not consult with the business community, and misstep.
Chris,
Why are you attacking politicians? They are only doing their job- the lawyer politicians at that. They do what they have to do; learned this a long time ago.
Look, when more people, step up socially, then we will have a change. We, as a people, on all sides, have sat back at let it go to the extent where everyone is crying. Just do for you and let everyone else, do for themselves I would reckon.
But, I would have to take issue, with this “political hand-out” mentality, you so easily sweep upon ALL Bahamians. You have to be careful when you say that. Because, I know you don’t mean to say, that the Kelly’s, Wilson’s, Symonette’s, Butler’s, Maynard’s and any other accomplished Bahamian families, sat around waiting for hand-outs.
For that matter, most Bahamian people I know, want to work and do work. Don’t know if you know any of them, but, apparently not- or you have them mis-interperted.
That being said, I know for myself, I am not and have not, waited on a hand-out. So, personally, I find that offensive to me. Especially since I applied to every job I know, and had to get in the middle of things, to get even a fair hearing- private and public. Let alone now, when I have been sitting on the side-lines for over 6 months, in an economy that has more than stalled- it has employer’s in fear to hire on top of all else.
No Sir. I, at least, have not been sitting around on a hand-out. In fact, quite the opposite…I have been busy trying to get things in order, as I had an opportunity to dip out of the country for a short stint, and, applying to any type of work, vigorously, in order to get started on something…nothing happened yet, Rick. So, what should I do?
No hand out here. So, should I go looking for a hand-out, Chris? They are in abbundance as you said, so, maybe its time to go and get one!??!
My honest opinion, and you can take this as you wish, I think politicians, love to have people ask them for hand-outs. It gives them a feeling of self worth and power. A powerful feeling indeed, to know you can kill or save a life. They want you to beg them like a dog, or, they had to give you a piece of bread…..true. Both sides. Some would do for you. But, others, just want you to get clandestine and underhanded, and forget your principles, and go out and beg them for it. I truly believe that. Sad though….we are depressing our economy and social mentality at the same time.
But, the thing about it is, if that they weren’t there, and, let the market reign, things would work out for the better. Politicians, in this vien, work out to hamper productivity in this country more than they help. They don’t have the power, and the will, to put a clamp on themselves in order to foster transparency and market equity. For example, considering Mona Vie, how many politicians, have given a hand-up to a friend of a friend, unfairly (as many saw Mona Vie in regards to customs rates was), when the rest of the market players, suffered? Vice versa for that matter, how many businesses, have they killed, or, put under, for personal gain???
Not saying this is what Min. Laing intended. I use that as an example to speak to the broader issue- something that was lost, in the midst of this fervour on this stupid drink.
We are in for a SERIOUS social revolution. Another one. With Global implications and consequences, both inverted and exerted.
Best,
Bill.
Thanks for dropping in Bill.
The problem as I see it, is that politicians are part of the market, but they do not limit themselves and what they think they can accomplish.
They are no doubt a necessary evil, but should be limited in scope.
That’s where it all starts to go down hill and the people expect more and more.
Hey Rick,
Thank’s for the editing the names. I normally just see the last name, and set my response on auto-pilot- but, the post was directed at you, anyways!
But, as I have been telling you, on many different discussions, Rick, is that they [government] are and will always be a neccesary evil- we have been through this before, and I am glad you see it for what I have been telling you it is. You have sure changed your tune, within a few short months- I credit myself, for educating you, on the logical fallicies on the libertarian model; or, the now warped and perverted libertarian model, which had good intentions, but is flawed on many of the premises it espouses. Like socialism, it sounds toooo good!
That being said, and not to make privatization any less attractive, the government, not a politician, but our government should work to foster true growth at all times- politicians, don’t understand or care to understand the market, yet they make plans for it and create arbitrary rules for it. I wonder what for? They set, or, should set policy for government and leave it at that….our politicians, are too broke and scrapping to step aside and create a system, where they would put themselves at a disadvantage from their only advantage- governmental power. This is a dilema world wide in developing countries….poor, broke and busted politicians, see their break for the door and get out of pocket. Sad!
Progressive countries on the other hand, have found a way to get the government out of market activity, but also, found a way to make them relevant to the process by 1. fostering an even playing field, built on transparency and free-individual market principles and 2. Providing the atmosphere, built on consensus, to further that market growth built on pro-growth principles.
That being said, the Bahamas government, is FAR off. So far off, that when globalization comes knocking, we will be more hurt than if we had left to ourselves.
Bahamians, have to get engaged in the process once again. We, as a country, have gone to sleep.
When a politicians is not threatening you, he or she is simply hogging up the resources for themselves. True.
Best,
Bill
Thanks for the lessons oh learned one 🙂
However, Libertarians see a role for a limited government. What we have and are getting more and more of, is a government that the Bahamian people cannot afford to support.
You might be comparing me to anarchists? If so, you are mistaken.
But of course the people willingly vote for it.
Here’s the answer to the so called rape in relation to the school kids from Bahama Pundit Bill:
“Meanwhile, the response from the political class has been to exchange veiled threats about exposing each other’s sexual peccadillos (don’t look it up – just consider the way it sounds). Or, as another correspondent indelicately put it:”
“Parliament is going to waste time talking about some kid that got a blow job in school (like we all tried to do) and who is being boungied by who, and who is sweethearting who, while accused killers and armed robbers walk the streets committing more crimes.”
http://www.bahamapundit.com/2008/05/slipping-toward.html
Hi Rick,
I don’t understand where that last few paragraphs come in in regards to our convesation- are you “OK”, Rick? However, rape is rape and those who committ rape, should be punished with the full extent of the law!
That being said, we need to fix the government, transparency that is- that and foster a system, where people feel free to come forward.
This victimization and veiled threats, border on human righst abuse.
Bill