Political Gamesmanship in the Bahamas

by Craig Butler

I don’t know about you but I’ve had enough of the back and forth between the two major political parties. To both of them I say: get over it and resume the governance of the country.

Every day there is another allegation put forward by the government and the PLP feel duty bound to respond. I am really getting tired of it, but in politics the only thing the parties have to rely on is their record and accordingly they will do whatever it is to protect that and avoid having it tarnished.

Many of the soldiers out there are still locked in election mode, and eagerly awaiting the next poll. I hear on a daily basis from both PLPs and FNMs that there will be an early election. I don’t know if this is wishful thinking, plain stupidity, or something that is being fostered by the respective parties, but I know that it is dangerous and I wish it would stop.

The average soldier appears to lack the ability to think and depends on the leader to set the tempo. Unfortunately the leaders are failing to answer the pertinent questions or quell the emotions of the masses.

The election will continue to be the topic of discussion in the coming weeks, as we are set to begin the election court cases with the Pinewood constituency up first.

Has anyone really bothered to read the newspapers lately or listen to the nightly news? It’s the same thing over and over. There is talk over the breaking of contracts and the alleged victimization of workers employed before the election. But the latest discussion concerns the 18 or so Heads of Agreement entered into by the PLP administration.

In relation to this the press has failed in its duty as the fourth estate to adequately discuss the aqgreements and in so doing assist the public in deciding if they represent a good or a bad thing. One notable exception had been Punch columnist Nicki Kelly over the last three or so weeks - but that is not enough.

This brings me to another question: how do our governments deal with foreign investors? Are we in awe of the bag of goods they are attempting to sell us or do we really examine what is being proposed with a view to determining what effect it will have on future generations. Both the FNM and PLP have been guilty of treating investors with too much deference, without realizing that these people want what it is we have to offer.

So that being the case where in God’s name did our politicians learn their negotiating skills? Are we so afraid that if we try to get a good deal for the country the investor will run away because he thinks it too high a price to pay? I would much rather believe that than the other option, which is that our politicians are receiving some sort of personal incentive and thus have no problem selling us out.

The Christie administration was the elected government at the time these agreements were made and PLP leaders are taken aback by criticisms of what they did. The have noted that the economy is beginning to slow and are quick to point out that a review of the agreements will not do much to promote investor confidence.

Whilst I agree that there may be an erosion of our credibility, I would rather that we strike the right balance in these negotiations. Some of the measures that are reported to have been agreed to do not sit well with me as a Bahamian - I don’t want to see our roads diverted so that an exclusive community can be spared having us intrude upon them, or so that I can be excluded from the facilities even if I possess the ability to pay for it.

I want a Bahamas that I can be proud of, but at the present time I can’t say that this is the case.

On another front we have Clever Duncombe calling for legislation to outlaw homosexuality and increased prejudice being shown towards our gay brethren, so much so that the Rainbow Alliance has accused the police of attempting to shut down gay clubs.

This has led attorney Fred Smith to point out that whilst we may be a Christian nation we also have a constitution that protects all Bahamians - even those who may practice a lifestyle that the majority may not agree with.

I liken us to a melting pot that has been on the fire under a low flame. However, even the slow cooking method eventually gets hot. At present the public is getting warmer and beginning to bubble. I fear that this cauldron will eventually overflow, and before we realize it we are going to have a major uprising to contain.