Bahamian Politicos Should Eschew Partisan Histrionics and Work on National Agenda

by Larry Smith

In the end you've got to use power for the purpose of making change - Alistair Campbell, Tony Blair's former press secretary.

God is in charge of the Bahamas - radio caller.

Thanks to the deity, no doubt, it is still possible to enjoy a comfortable life in the Bahamas despite signs of an impending social tipping point. But frankly, when we do reach that point it's hard to say whether we will be able to regain our balance.

Of course, it can be argued that we have been there and done that before. Prior to the economic take-off in the 1960s, the Bahamas was a dreadfully poor and undeveloped place. And despite brief spurts of prosperity since the end of slavery 173 years ago, generally these islands were not a desirable place to live and many simply gave up and moved on.

Emigration peaked around the time of the First World War when there were less than 60,000 people living here, and right after the Second World War thousands of Bahamians worked as migrant labourers in the US because there was not enough to do at home. Stultifying social and racial barriers were not dismantled until the reform movement of the 1960s won power.

Belying early expectations, those reformers congealed into another entrenched oligarchy. And during the 1980s a venal Pindling regime presided over the corruption of our entire society - emasculating dissent, mismanaging the economy and selling us out to foreign gangsters. Predictably, this led to a dramatic rise in lawlessness, substance abuse and economic woe.

By the early 1990s many of us were considering the option of emigration yet again. But 15 years ago this month we achieved a long overdue political upheaval, bringing another group of reformers to power. That first Ingraham government launched public hearings on the state of our society, opened up the airwaves and set the stage for economic recovery.

But there are those who say that - despite the continuing foreign interest in our waterfront real estate - many hard choices have not been made over the past generation and the chickens are finally coming home to roost.

Those chickens include thousands of illiterate and unemployable high school graduates, violent crime that is spiraling out of control, rising illegitimacy, an increasingly chaotic urban environment, a nationwide refusal to follow rules or set examples, an ever-growing and unassimilated immigrant underclass, and a massive and unproductive public sector.

There are now a third of a million Bahamians, and the costs and responsibilities of running a modern economy have multiplied exponentially over the years.

The first Ingraham government set up a commission to study youth development, a task force to look at education, and inquiries into corruption and conflict of interest at Bahamasair and the Hotel Corporation. But many recommendations were never implemented.

For example, Bahamasair should have been sold off to local investors (from who it was taken in the first place) along with an international partner. Instead, many more millions of our tax dollars have been wasted over the years to underwrite this poor service. Opportunities to produce a master plan for the development of New Providence, to turn ZNS into a true public broadcasting service, and to privatise BaTelCo (among other things) were also lost.

In the early 1990s the National Youth Consultative Report called for "visionary leadership" to inspire Bahamians to transcend narrow attitudes, to create a freer and more participatory democracy, to pursue integrity and accountability at every level of society and to mobilise the nation to address the decline of family values. We are still talking about these issues today in the context of the latest crime wave.

When the so-called New PLP came to power unexpectedly in 2002, it also presented a reforming face to the nation. The Christie administration called for the appointment of commissions to examine a variety of issues, including cultural development, urban renewal, prison reform, trade policy, Grand Bahama development, the constitution, social security and public service reform.

The Grand Bahama commission was never appointed. The Trade Commission was quickly sidelined and forgotten about. The Constitution Commission produced an interim report and then disappeared into the woodwork. The Public Service Reform Commission was supposed to stop the "waste of public funds through proper monitoring of spending" (you can draw your own conclusion on that one). The Prison Reform Commission reported in early 2003 but many of its proposals have yet to be implemented. The Social Security Commission also reported but its recommendations were ignored.

Critics say that over the last five years "corruption, idleness and extreme political myopia" prevented the Christie government from, among other things, modernising the airport, dredging the harbour and lengthening the cruise ship piers, stopping the massive production of illiterates by the public school system, addressing the illegal immigrant problem, capping the rising rate of violent crime and reversing the decline of our judicial system.

In this view, we suffered through five lost years, because all of these issues - and more - are still on the table today. Yet the PLP would have us believe that an election which they managed was stolen from them by sinister plotters while they were well on the way to "transforming" the country. Transformation in this context meant cutting deals with foreign investors for real estate developments on our prime waterfront property.

Any reasonable observer would have to agree that the PLP is being overly aggressive and confrontational without good reason. As Fred Mitchell's former web site put it when referring to a PLP demo in Freeport recently: "The revolt starts...The Bahamas faces a stark choice. We have slipped right back to where we were before the 1967 general election...The fact is that an FNM government has come to power with only one thing on their minds: victimization, vengeance and viciousness."

According to disgraced former cabinet minister Shane Gibson, "The battle was finished on May 2, but two months later those FNMs know that the war has just begun - we are at war." And MP Brave Davis insists that the PLP was "cheated" out of the election. This talk is grossly irresponsible and likely to lead to disturbances no matter what the election court decides. And what is to prevent the PLP from calling the court corrupt if it finds against them?

Rather than wasting our limited time and energies on these nasty and unproductive political exercises, both parties should get down to the unfinished business of their national agendas. Here's a partial refresher list:

Formulate an energy policy and ensure that power generation capacity meets demand, legislate a management authority for Bay Street and deal with the container ports, end water barging from Andros and replace 100 miles of old pipelines, eliminate prison bus transfers, facilitate a workable public transit system, enforce traffic and vendor regulations, upgrade the airport, develop a master plan for New Providence and the country as a whole, insulate ZNS from political control, privatise BTC and Bahamasair, implement freedom of information, increase the number of courts and judges, reform the education system, enact a parliamentary code of conduct, convert Collins House into a new parliament and make the old parliament a museum.

After all, as Alistair Campbell said, in a democracy political power is the means to produce change and promote progress. It is not a license to talk nonsense for five years. And don't get me wrong - we are all in this together and we all share some responsibility. Both political elites have dropped the ball because we let them.

If we want to avoid that dreaded tipping point, we should all get down to business. Let's dispense with the political myopia and partisan histrionics. Hubert Ingraham is 60, and this is likely to be the last chance to use those formidable management skills for the good of the country.

Comments

[Christina M.Thompson]

I always read Tough Call, but I have to say you are so on point with this one. I think that we are really teetering and perhaps your suggestions will be put in place. Again, great column and maybe someone with the power will listen.

[donald campbell]

In my view it is clear from the content of this column which political party you support - FNM!!!

As a columnist presumably you are presenting your views and therefore it is not to be under the realm of a journalist, although surprisingly I could not recall seeing a clear distancing from your views by the Tribune. This would suggest that the Tribune is obviously in complete agreement and accepts your views as its own!

Back to your views, bias and prejudice is what is wrong with the Bahamas today and even worse the complete disregard for these practices to the extent that we say it does not exist.

Both parties had failures and successes would it not have been more productive to highlight successes and constructive criticism for failures?

But alas we have people like you and the senior personnel at the Tribune and now the Guardian who only find fault for a particular sector of the Bahamian society.

Finally, a thought for your next column, consider how the Bahamas would have been without the successes of Messrs. Pindling, Ingrahm and Christie. One truly wonders???

P.S. God gave charge of The Bahamas to Bahamians as he gave charge to all things on earth to us to be dealt with in his favour!!

[larry smith]

Thank you for your comment.

Probably the main reason you have given me a political label is the last paragraph of my article.

However, if we are to be objective I think you would agree that there is no comparison between the management abilities of Messrs Christie and Ingraham.

And good management is what our country needs most today.

If you read through the political articles on my web site (which are few in number) over the past four years that I have been writing, you will, I hope, perceive a very even-handed approach.

But as a commentator I have to deal with reality - and what the PLP is doing today is not productive. It is not constructive. And it does not help their cause.

The Tribune's editorial policy is based on Eileen Carron's opinion as the owner. I write my personal views as an independent columnist. It is for readers to decide whether or not I am making a constructive contribution to the national debate.

I believe I made it abundantly clear in my article that both parties have contributed to the position in which we find ourselves today. But I lean in the direction that the PLP bears a greater responsibility, having been in control for 30 years since 1967, and having wasted the past five years when they could easily have made a big comeback.

I doubt if you could identify any other writer who brings as much background and perspective to national issues as I do. But everyone is entitled to a point of view.

Finally, as I noted in my article, the reformers of the 1960s and the reformers of the 1990s both made enormous contributions to the development and democratisation of Bahamian society. But that does not mean we do not face significant challenges today.

One truly wonders if we will be able to overcome these challenges by pointing fingers and worrying about labels.

[The Observer]

In your response to Donald Campbell you said, “Probably the main reason you have given me a political label is the last paragraph of my article”. I disagree, I think the sentence, “According to disgraced former cabinet minister Shane Gibson” put the F.N.M. label on you. Have you in any of your columns labeled Tommy Turnquest (air-conditioning and party deal) a disgraced cabinet minister? Or Brent Symonette (airport deal) a disgraced cabinet minister?

On another note, why are F.N.M. sympathizers so much against the P.L.P. going to election court? What is going to happen if the court finds there was wide spread election fraud and awards the three seats to the P.L.P.? Do you think Hubert Ingraham will hand over government to the P.L.P. or will he call another election? Hence the reason for election mode of both parties. The F.N.M. is just as much in election mode as the P.L.P., just about every speech or press conference by a cabinet minister displays this fact. The Bahamian people will decided at the end of the day if the P.L.P. wasted our time and energy on the election courts. If they did, they will lose the respect and loyalty of many Bahamians and F.N.M.s will have something to crow about.

A word of advice Larry, make sure you keep you immune system in top shape. The bias virus is contagious and rampant on Shirley Street and now also Oakes Field. As for your list of “unfinished business”, good job, now lets see how much they accomplish. Pleaseeee come back in 12 months with a column grading them on how much of what you listed is achieved.

My observations.

[nicob]

I agree with your major premise, Larry. We spend too much time talking about parties and far too little time talking about The Bahamas. The result, quite naturally, is fracture and fragmentation.

Our problem as a nation appears to be that we do not breed statesmen or patriots. In part because of the histories of the two major political parties, rooted in issues of race, self-determination, and self-government, we have failed collectively to create any single national perspective that can be shared by all. In this we are all guilty, not just the people who play on our prejudices in their election games. As a result, all discourse is politicized.

The fault today does not lie with any specific political party. Although the opposition has been more vocal and polarizing, that is what oppositions have the luxury of doing. But the government has to bear critical responsibility as well. Governments represent us all, and governments who are forced to rule with narrow margins have a greater burden than most.

I am left to draw the conclusion that politicians are unable to be statesmen when they come to power. Never mind history; in the world of the arts, you are only as good as your last work. Things change, and circumstances change. While no living Bahamian government has ever had to rule with such a narrow majority, it is irresponsible, in my opinion, to focus all one's energies on the possibility of another election. We have lost enough time on election foolishness this year, and what we need are leaders who can envision a path for the future of us all.

[The Observer]

Nicob, no one seems to want to answer the question, What is going to happen if the court finds there was wide spread election fraud and awards the three seats to the P.L.P.? Were they right in pursing the election court or should they have let wrong overrule right? Would it have been the proper thing to let a government not duly elected by the Bahamian people remain in power?

My observations.

[Karen Burke]

Your article is piercing and potent and will not easily appeal to the jaundiced mind bent on furthering a self-centered agenda. The dire need for national transformation is aptly presented and it is refreshing to see how thoroughly you researched your supporting facts. This gives me great respect for your journalism.

We are all Bahamians, our politics or creeds notwithstanding. The vitality of our national health takes precedence over all our personal agendas. More pointedly, the wellbeing of the Bahamas rests in the hands of us ALL and any inflammatory provocation by influential members of society, aimed at inciting the uninformed to revolt, should be viewed as borderline sedition.

One Bahamas means just what it says: Forward, upward, onward, TOGETHER.

[joanne smith]

Shane Gibson disgraced himself when he continued to be associated with Anna Nicole even after the association was given such bad press. Even if he was completely innocent he has a wife who still has to live here and face all the bad publicity about him lying in ANS's bed. He was a cabinet minister and therefore a role model; the party was already having problems with discipline in the cabinet and he should have drawn back. He should have known better not to make his marriage a poppy show! Turnquest and Symonette did not bring shame on everyone around them.

Public figures are just that - if you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen!

[The Observer]

Joanne, Joanne, how can you say Turnquest “did not bring shame on everyone around them.” Was not the $30,000 a birthday party for Turnquest paid for by a person that got an air-condition deal for Ministry of Tourism when Turnquest was the minister? Symonette was a little different but still disgraceful considering he still does not seem to think he did anything wrong with the airport contract.

As for Gibson, I would say he showed very bad taste and lack of judgment, nothing more. As for making a poppy show of his marriage, I don’t think so, he hid nothing as he had nothing to hide. The bad press was given by the BIAS VIRUS of Shirley Street that had an axe to grind with him because of the ENGLISH VIRUS having a problem getting his work permit renewed. Actually the publicity that the Bahamas received internationally, it would never been able to afford and it was never view negatively by international persons, entertaining maybe. Most if not all the negative press came directly from the computers of the BIAS VIRUS of Shirley Street.

My observations

[drew Roberts]

To Observer.

"Nicob, no one seems to want to answer the question, What is going to happen if the court finds there was wide spread election fraud and awards the three seats to the P.L.P.?"

I have heard someone suggest that if the first seat goes to the PLP that Ingraham will call another election.

The person suggesting it said that no one had the power to stop him doing it if he so chose.

I would think that if so, this might be a real possibility.

How many seats would be needed for a swing? tow of three, or all three?

If there was indeed widespread fraud, what does that say of the PLP's ability to properly run the country? If it did happen, it happened on their watch. Could they not get such a fundamental thing right?

all the best,

drew

[kj]

hi all im a bahamian living in south east asia in which some countries it is filled with poverty bahamians have a lot to be thankful for but they are squandering it through envy backbiting etc.these politicians are the reflection of the bahamian society no wonder they behave like little school children while i love my country most bahamians are small minded take for instance if a person there see you trying to make a better way for yourself instead of they try to help yo they pull you down im not saying that dont happen all over the world but i bahamas its like a disease the politicians are paid money to do the job for the bahamian people and patting themselves on the back for what they did is no favor to us.AS i read news from the bahamas seems like the country in turmoil im on next side of the world and see this imagine they country we depend on for our livihood.We have failing students cost of living skyrockting dont have a proper university we so far behind in the world its laughable all these politicians want to do is get in power to enrich themselves and their friends they dont care about you or me so my people band together and have these people in power do their job.Its the only way things will change.

[EB Christen]

One thing comes through over and over again when you read the outbursts of PLP supporters on this website: emotional character and party defenses rule their arguments and there is little actual defense of policies or any attempt at identifying true accomplishments.

Policy and not personality should be the order of the day in this little country. I tire of pointing out that there are global corporations with bigger head aches then our government and these corporations handle sometimes double the number of people.

The last 5 years left me embarassed to be a Bahamian. The next 5 years might be better, but I have my doubts. I couldn't care less about parties and political egos! I want to see action and results and improvements! I want good roads, a serious education reform, a serious plan for downtown, an end to pettiness and grand standing and an end to the FREE ride of government! This country is for the Bahamian citizen not for its megalomaniac politicians, which ever side of the fence they stand.

For a country this size, party politics on this scale is an anachronism. IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, FIND THE SOLUTION AND F****** IMPLEMENT IT! We are small and we sit next to the biggest market in the world, yet we squander our blessings in pettiness and stupidity. GROW UP BAHAMAS!

[kj]

my other contribution this thread is can we find leaders from among us?It seems that only certain few can lead the bahamas do we realize in in nearly 40 years we have only had 3 prime ministers no wonder the country is falling apart every year we re elect the same people over and over what changes will come the people who we relect has not changed ideas they come to the table with the same old formula what was not working its like a recipe for disaster take for instance MR Ingraham coming back to the FNM it was a mistake in my opinion for the FNM party to allow him back because what it will create is more strife within that party who will be the future leader of the FNM.they should have had the fortitude to try and groom somebody in this election for the future even if they had lost at least that person would have gained some expirence in the leadership position but i guess those in the party because they want instant success and greed they allowed it to happen. the plp on the other hand needs to deal with their leadership situation now to give that person time to prepare for the next election we in the bahamas like to wait around till five years nearly up to say who will lead a certain then all the bickering and infighting causes the party to lose focus on what they are suppose to we need fresh leadership in the bahamas some of these politicians been around nearly 40 years time for them to retire and allow new set of people to put new ideas on the table im not impressed with any party because its the same thing over and over the only people that wont complain is those who benefit directly from their friends or family in parliarment.

[drew Roberts]

To kj,

Re: Leaders from amoung us / grooming leaders / etc.

Hear, hear.

To put some more thoughts into the mix along those lines...

No matter if you think Mr. Ingraham is a great leader or a terrible leader or somewhere in between, surely he would have been a better leader and done better by the country had he shown the ability to seek out and groom another person able to be as good as or a better leader than himself to follow him during his first two terms when he had stated he would only serve two. Does anyone disagree with this?

On your point of 40 and 3, and leaders from amoung us... were all three men lawyers by profession? When will we have a carpenter for a prime minister?

all the best,

drew

http://openphoto.net/gallery/index.html?user_id=178

[larry smith]

Only problem with that is we are such a small pond and individuals with the leadership skills and commitment to party politics are hard to find.

[kj]

so larry and drew give me your opinons what do you think needs to be done to encourage more bahamians to come to the forefront and lead us as a nation im not talking about the ones who are loyal to a particular person or party but the ones who can stand up to the injustices going on in our country and not be afraid to be victimized for doing so.

[drew Roberts]

Well, kj,

not sure I can answer that, and we are in somewhat of a rock and hard place situation.

One thing I would like to see is Instant Runoff Elections.

http://www.fairvote.org/irv/faq.htm

I am not legal scholar, but I imagine that would take a referendum.

I think we could test it out in local elections though. Get a feel for it and see if people prefer how it works.

Anyone with a legal background care to comment on those aspects of it?

If we got it, I think a well liked outsider might have more of a chance of winning and thus more might run.

all the best,

drew

[GBcitizen]

I tell you, if we don't change this course of political tug-o-war, there will be no Bahamas, when the citizens will be in over their head with frustration at the inabillity to enforce, or implement anything because something as small as an affilliation to three damn accronyms.

In fact I'm ready for Grand Bahama to break off anyways. What does any of the Islands get in return for the millions we send to NP so that the central government can come back to us and talk bs about why a simple road, or sea wall, or a couple feet of friggin pipes cannot be built in a span of five damned years. What good is paying taxes to a government who only looks after one city, when the other islands don't even have much power to shape their own destiny?