by Jerome Pinder
Not that we have a unique group of politicians in the Bahamas, but certainly we have a strong dose of those that believe the electorate can't live without them.
In a recent Tribune article entitled "Carl Bethel hits out at tabloid's 'campaign of character assassination'," the MP confirms his commitment to SeaBreeze and denies any interest in the St. Thomas More constituency. Should Seabreeze be relieved?
His comments reminded me of a recent survey that I came across by Rasmussen Reports stating "45% Say Random Group From Phone Book Better Than Current Congress." The survey was conducted in 2010 and the results were up by 12% over the same survey conducted in 2008. 45% of those surveyed felt that they would receive just as good representation if they picked their representatives from the phone book, as opposed to the current election process.
What has Carl Bethel done for Seabreeze? His comments in the above-noted Tribune article give you the impression that he feels the Carl Bethel / Seabreeze relationship is a match made in heaven. Each Seabreeze resident will have to answer the question for themselves.
Carl Bethel's representation has been indifferent to me. During the period of 1992 to 2002 he did not do anything in my particular area. It was actually after 2002 during the PLP administration that I received speed bumps on my street, a life saver, given the cars that used the residential street as a race track. And since the most recent election, I have not heard from or seen Mr Bethel in my area. I know he wasted constituency money on putting a curbing around the median of Golf Course Blvd, which narrowed the road and made dual traffic more difficult. Has the MP taken a look at the condition of the asphalt at the intersection of Prince Charles and Golf Course? What about the tree roots that are affecting the paving on the eastern side of Golf Course Blvd? These are things I would have dealt with to make driving a littler easier. But who I am, certainly not a lofty representative!
Let's not talk about the utility polls being installed on the roadways, I guess we will end up with polls in the front and back of our properties. None of the workers that I have spoken to seem to know what's going on with this one.
On a national level is the record any better? The rate of borrowing and spending by the Government is out of control. I don't hear my representative speaking out against this? I am opposed to the Government borrowing money at this time for the new airport gateway project. Will this become the gateway to nowhere? I suggest we wait until the Country can borrow at better rates on the international market without having to hire Chinese workers. Who built the Tonique Williams-Darling highway? My MP is not speaking out against this? Perhaps nobody in Seabreeze builds or works on roads.
However, it is not only Carl Bethel. Its the majority of MPs that have the attitude that we could not do without them. I can tell you this, they are not our Saviors, and I think too highly of St. Thomas More to wish my MP on them. Look at Fred Mitchell and Obie Wilchombe. They are going to fly up to New York as Saviors to the Straw Vendors, rather than teaching their Countrymen and women to produce authentic products and not sell knock off goods.
Carl Bethel states and I quote from the Tribune's article, "Let me say from the outset that I made a personal commitment to the residents of the Sea Breeze constituency in 1990, at the age of 29 years, which I have never abandoned." I wish to ensure the MP and others like him, no hard feelings from me if you wish to relieve yourself of that personal commitment.
Perhaps we would be just as well off in closing our eyes and picking our representatives from the phone book.
what a mess we are in eh Jerome…?
For the Record: My dog, in my backyard, has done more for my neighbourhood in the last year than Fred Mithel [our MP] or any party or opposition party has done in 10 years. They are only seen during the run up to election time… then “ghost move” ‘cuz they disappear without a trace.
At least my dog has awakened my neighbour & I at 3:00am one morning so we could call Police who DID come and deal with a prowler… and alert us to another theft in progress… and stopped the man from stealing my fruit…
I’d vote for her… 😀
Perhaps it is the St. Thomas More constituants who should be relieved?
I agree with your dog being of more value, as she also fertilizes the yard!
I will be hard pressed to support any candidate never mind party in the forthcoming election.
That in itself is a sad indictment of the state of representation we face.
Well put, they are all useless MP’s, both sides.What can we do ? I am at my wits end with them all.Its like a dog & pony show in Parliament.They are not taking our country seriously at all.Very sad.
I frequently hear this claim that al politicians are useless. I question, what is your expectation of MPs? I can tell you what I am doing and what my plans are in my constituency, but maybe what I have planned is not what is relevant, tell me, what are your expectations. I see that some negative comments on Fred Mitchell, I can tell you that he is probably the most engaged MP in his constituency, in there almost daily. but if the opinion is he is doing nothing, maybe there is a misunderstanding of the expectations
The answer is in having an agenda which decentralizes power, or takes away power from the central govt, hence giving MP’s less responsibility, less work and less power. As long as the central govt. has all the power and no matter who is in power and we look to them for the answers they will fail and disappoint us, no matter who it is. Thus give more of the power to the people, individually and in their own community, to shape their own future. That’s the only way to change our present system. Unfortunately a change as such can only happen gradually, or by revolution, and revolutions usually aren’t pretty.
The ideas around the Abaco Independence Movement would have done just that Larry.
But alas, the politco’s hang on to total power at all costs, and society lets them in the event they get any crumbs.
Sad commentary indeed.
All I want is for them to get serious about dealing with the court system & building a new very large jail, with a brand new hanging station.Stop all the waste with ZNS,BEC,Bahamasair etc.Maybe bring in a non corrupt police force.
I have no desire to see my MP all, It would be nice if they returned a call when needed, that’s all.What I would like is for at least maybe one member of parliament to show some concern for the present mess we are in.from their actions, they don’t give a damn.They all know, including the PM how bad it is.The criminals are not being punished, corruption is the norm, there is no justice in the Bahamas,period.They know of all the problems, yet the PM leaves Turnquest in charge of national security when he clearly in not the man for the job.Does this not baffle you ? Maybe I expect to much.I just thought they would want to do better.
The problem is systemic, in that “power” is assumed, without responsibility by most.
Understanding the difference between Authority and power would be a start.
Also, not too many seem to familiarize themselves with our constitution and the laws, nor the portfolios they may be given to maintain.
The Civil service has developed its own sense of self preservation, political allegiance, and in many cases have assumes their own “power”.
We inherited a system of rules based law, which we have dismantled to the point of intervention being nesessitated almost daily, which indicates micromanagement,a difficult situation for a small company nevermind a country.
The very fact that an M.P or P.M. must get involved in disputes or irregularities between Civil service and public is disgracefull.
It encourages and endows greater assumption of Power.
Lastly, the personal enrichment which has become a given, the feed trough mentality, which has the wolves looking at the chickens instead of being satisfied stealing eggs due to the economic stagnation.
Our problems and our decline were very much in progress long before the global mess.
It is icing on a rotten cake.
@ canesfins
I mentioned Fred Mitchel because he is currently my MP. Note I said any party or opposition party. I appreciate you saying that he is in there daily etc. but I am in the Fox Hill constituency, [although we are not exactly in the Fox Hill area] and he has not been accessible to me – daily or otherwise. If I need to communicate a problem in my neighbourhood, my constituency, to my MP… is this an unreasonable expectation? This is not a personal attack on Mr. Mitchel. However, I will endeavour and try to make contact today. I’ll let you know how I do…
I do agree with you 100% on one thing you said with regards to Mr. Mitchel… “I can tell you that he is probably the most engaged MP in his constituency”
Absolutely! yup,but by the way… he is the ONLY MP in his constituency 😉
I meant as compared to other MPs in their constituency. Give Mr. Mitchell a call, if you need his contact information email me, I will provide it to you. rpinder@gmail.com
OK… Called Mr. Mitchel. Today I got through to him easily and he was very helpful. Thank you.
I’ll report on the follow up.
Well, the problem with Carl and Seabreeze/St. Thomas Moore may be resolving itself… got a call from a contact in one of the family islands. Carl along with a leading local party man from one constituency was seen with a long time party leader from a neighbouring constituency where they are disenchanted with their present MP. Could he be vying for a family island nomination? If this is the case he better be ready for some heat because even the party faithful are expressing their disappointment about the present MP.
I think it might be better for you to frame what you think the responsibility of an MP is?
But I think it is useless to suggest that the government should pay bail for alleged criminals.
I also think it is useless to mock the owner of private property but instead should ensure he keeps title to his property.
MP’s should be counseling us on what is right, not encouraging foolishness.
MP’s or government give us nothing they don’t take from us first yet, MP’s encourage us to believe the exact opposite.
In my opinion our representatives should be there for the people. Have any of you had their MP call them (not during election time) to inquire about their concerns? For those in management roles at various companies, have the MP for that area ever reached out to your business for feedback?
I agree with Larry about the community taking control of their future? Why can’t an island petition now for some form of self-governance? What legal or constitutional constraints are there? Other than that, there are serious issues such as transportation, education and housing that need to be addressed.
Bay Street: You need to read Rick’s published research on what Abaco tried to do back in the 70’s. I believe what they really wanted was to control their own destiny and not necessarily break away from the rest of the Bahamas. They are,and continue to be successful in spite of national governments past and present. One would think that having had a prime minister represent one of the districts and always electing an FNM representative, producing the third largest amount of revenue for the public treasury they would have had been rewarded for all of this. In my talks with some Abaconians they feel that that have always been vicitmized instead.
The constraints which concern you are not insurmountable if there was a national government willing to give up “control of peoples lives.” More importantly to the politicans is the money which the take from citizens and waste e.g. Government run corporations which employ faithful voters that keep them in power.
There is a no doubt that businesses are being victimized & taken for a ride, or being raped, whatever you want to call it by the government.They are taxing business far to much.I know they need revenue, but my God do that have to keep raping people ? The “MP”s need to try & stop this.The unions have far to much power & so does the labor board.Maybe these “Great minds” in Parliament should put their heads together & do whats right & stop this madness.For what reason should anyone believe one single word out of their mouths, I for one do not, not one of them.I am tired of all the talk, shut up & show me you have our interests at heart, talk is cheap.
I searched back in time to this blog to report back again…
It is now almost one year since I contacted my MP on a problem in our neighbourhood. I spoke with Mr. Mitchell on a few occasions. He was to contact the neccessary party/s in the Ministry of Works as did I… To date…. NOTHING Nada Zero Zilch!! Now I appreciate my MP is not in the Governing party and so is at a “disadvantage” and I don’t expect miracles but a year… Good Sir you have my number, I’m not calling anymore.
Well Hell !! Election year is fast approaching and that may be the only time you can actually get any action. I can’t wait for the candidates to visit my area…