Rick Lowe
With elections constitutionally required by May 2012, we knew it had to start and as usual the political propaganda is predictable.
The first group through the neighbourhood so far is the Democratic National Alliance – The DNA, and their standard bearer for Montagu, Ben Albury left a flyer outlining his party's goals at the door.
Really they're simply cute phrases, nothing more than symbolism over substance.
Here's a few of them:
- Re-Establish Social Protection
- First-World Global Education and Training
- Legitimize, Transform and Authenticate Bahamian Culture
- Strengthen The Family
- Rebuild Christian Values
- Diversify Industry Structure
- Ensure Food Security and Sustainability
- Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness
And an obligatory quote from the Bible about vision and perishing is thrown in for good measure of course.
Okay, I'll admit that I'm older and more cynical now, but the reality is governing politicians have their hands so full trying to ensure the Civil Service gets the job done with their current responsibilities that to expect them to do just the eight additional items above is nigh on impossible.
Besides, are these things really the purview of the political class? Not according to the Constitution any way.
And after all those and more, there is not a single word about fixing governments fiscal and monetary imbalances, probably the most crucial problem facing the nation and its future generations.
Politicians seem to believe they have to portray that they can solve every issue imaginable if voters simply mark their X against their colours, but when you start digging below the surface of statements like ensuring food security and sustainability, you realise they are no more than space fillers.
I'm still trying to find the one country in the world that can feed itself without food imports. The mighty USA can't and the DNA can do so for The Bahamas?
I keep hoping, against all odds it seems, that the political class will get down to specifics on how they might fulfil the functions they're already responsible for and understand we don't need them to do anymore than that.
Can't wait to see what the PLP and FNM will do.
In a true democracy the nation’s citizens choose whom they want to represent them in the national assembly.. In the Bahamas, political parties tell us who will be the candidates in our local jurisdictions.. Is the Bahamas a true democracy when we the people have no voice or meaningful say in the selection of candidates who will run for political office?? You be the judge.. Our representatives today only represent their political parties and not the people they claim to represent.. We even have no real say in who becomes our Prime Minister.. No wonder our beloved Bahamas is in such a terrible state of affairs..
AS for the DNA it appears to be more of the same old song and dance that has brought our country to the sad state of affairs we find ourselves in today.. For what it’s worth, I shall do my civic duty and vote in the coming election, but I may just mark my ballot “present” and say to myself so be it..
Thanks Tradewinds.
The selection of candidates is certainly interesting. Top down, instead of bottom up.
The party system is an issue, however, the Constituency Associations do not take the bull by the horns with recommending possible candidates and I found this tends to be because, in general, the Constituency Associations do not function until election time draws nigh.
Unfortunately we Bahamians “buy into” the political game lock stock and barrel, no matter the party or personalities, instead of standing back with some form of Civic minded consciousness.(In which case we would have to say stop the nonsense we’re killing ourselves!)
Slim pickings would be an understatement, but sure enough,and each with our own reasons,be it a Tee-shirt or a Government job or posting,
we buy into the same claptrap we’ve been offered since the Queen asked L.O.P. “what took you so long” when he went seeking independence.
Disgraceful. We sell ourselves so short.
Rick you hit the nail right on the head.. Where “bottom up” governance is basically democracy; “top down” governance is authoritarian rule.. In a democracy, the citizens select their representatives at the local constituency level.. Under authoritarian rule, a political or party elite chooses who will run for local office with the people having no meaningful say.. In our Bahamas, Constituency Associations have no real input as Association leaders only are interested in promoting their own self-interests by always agreeing with the party leadership..
Opted Out points out that “we Bahamians buy into” this system similar to the Association leadership by acting in their own selfish self-interest.. I guess it has become never bite the hand that feeds you and get what ever you can get in exchange for your vote.. Sadly this is what we are today and what we have become..A democratic country, not really.. An authoritarian nation, perhaps so.. You decide..
And we are all paying for it in out of control taxes