Rick Lowe
Over the years many individuals and companies have been involved in very public disputes caused by over zealous parliamentarians looking to score political points rather than determining facts before raising sensitive issues in the House of Assembly or Senate.
If caught out and pressed they usually hide behind Bahamas Statute Law, Chapter 84, The Penal Code, Section 320 which says:
(1) The publication of defamatory matter is absolutely privileged, and no person shall under any circumstances be liable to punishment under this Code in respect thereof, in any of the following cases, namely-
(a) if the matter is published by the Governor-General or by the Senate or the House of Assembly of The Bahamas in any official document or proceeding;
(b) if the matter is published in the Senate or in the House of Assembly of The Bahamas by the Governor-General or by a member of either House;
It goes on in this vein generally exempting parliamentarians from any responsibility for their remarks.
This is unconscionable.
Another unconscionable law is Chapter 294, Protection of Revenue that gives parliament the power to change ""imposts" includes all duties, tax or fees levied under the Tariff Act, the Stamp Act or any other Act." making them effective immediately. Without notice in other words.
Of course this ignores any contract that a company or individual might have, completely distorting business arrangements.
One final point that smacks of debauchery is the fact that if government makes an error with their billing, they can always come back to collect what they think you owe them.
As discussed at other times, this same right to collect in the event of error is denied the private sector.
My understanding is if a store under prices a product with the price sticker, the consumer is entitled to pay the lower amount.
These distortions represent the coercive power of government in all its glory. How can government in all good conscience continue with these double standards?
Unfortunately they are like slow burning embers placed at the foundation of a wooden structure. One day a breeze will blow up and ignite the pillar, causing the entire house to fall.
This is democracy's failing at its finest.
It is amazing to me that these politicians can get so worked up over stupid little things, & yet things like, out of control crime, corrupt police, a crappy court system, continuous wasting of the public’s money, etc.etc.etc. all seem to just be ignored by them. What world are they living in ? I really believe they think we are all a bunch of fools.You are right Rick,one day the breeze will blow up ignite the pillar & we the people will decide we are not gonna take their crap anymore, I for one do not believe one word out of their mouths,not one.
It deflects attention from the real issues DP.
I believe that many of them are sincere, but honestly do not understand the economic consequences of their actions.
Of course many of them are blowhards as well, but they have the coercive power of the laws they create behind them.
Many of them build their reputation on rhetoric that they will level the playing field and care about the small man etc, yet their actions and the laws they pass often make things worse.