Promises And Price Tags:
Bahama Journal Editorial -
Nassau, Bahamas:

Both major political parties have put forward –albeit belatedly- their manifestos and covenants. These documents are politically important; containing as they do implied contracts with the Bahamian people.

These documents can make or rue the day for any or all who renege on promises that have been put forward in black and white.

For the moment, our only advice to all who would read, all who would lead and all who would vote is that they should remember that promises always come freighted with price tags.

The public wants to know whether those who would lead from the helm have what it takes to speak to the issues that would distinguish one leader from the other.

The debates we talk about should be pitched to this type of thinking Bahamian voter. We make this call in a context where it is conceded that both major parties have a tremendous amount of crowd support as witnessed by what has been happening at the mass rallies.

For some weeks now, both the Progressive Liberal Party and the Opposition Free National Movement have made it their business to rally their troops.

Based on crowd size, both have been spectacularly successful. Each has been successful in attracting its share of that ‘Look at the people- sized crowd.’

We suspect that some of their political operatives and strategists have finally figured out that such large displays may not give them the full information they need about what will actually happen come Wednesday, April 2nd 2007.

The whispered word that we are hearing is that both parties are both gravitating to a view that the Election Day decision could be heavily influenced by two minorities of Bahamians. On the one hand, there is that group of Bahamians who have decided not to register. On the other is that sliver of independent minded Bahamians who could vote for either side.

We are convinced that the general elections will be won or lost by one party or the other depending on how their written statements or manifestos are received by that minority of Bahamians who do read and who do actually weigh issues.

And here we revert to a suggestion previously made concerning debates; which is that there should be a wide ranging debate on the issues between Bahamas Democratic Movement leader Cassius Stuart, Progressive Liberal Party leader the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie and Free National Movement leader the Rt. Hon. Hubert Alexander Ingraham.

We go further and suggest that this would be a tonic for all those Bahamians who relish a bit more than cheers, jeers and rake and scrape served up on any night of the week to a wildly receptive mass audience.

These Bahamians want to see their leaders defend their positions. These same Bahamians –albeit a minority- want to hear their leaders debate the issues.

We make the additional point that it is this minority that will actually make it its business to read manifestos and covenants sent its way.

And as we have previously indicated, in the search for votes the ruling Progressive Liberal Party and its nemesis the Free National Movement have both sought – as they should – the support of the masses of Bahamian people.

They have done so using any number of wildly popular appeals; inclusive of cheers, jeers and other such repartee.

Such seems to be par for the course in getting the message to the masses in a Bahamas where so much hangs on how the people - in the mass - vote. From one point of view, this is not at all surprising.

Indeed, there is evidence galore to support the proposition that Election Time is somehow considered ‘party time’ for so very many people. And quite evidently, there will be hype, shenanigans and any other amount of fun stuff.

In time, this kind of public display begins to play out.

We suspect that this is precisely what is happening now that Election Time is upon us.

We are also convinced that it has finally dawned on both major political parties that they must now reach out to that discerning minority that, come Election Day, may well make the difference that counts.

As we have already indicated, all roads now lead to Election Day, May 2, 2007.

On that date, the voice of the people will roar.

Once that cry comes forth, some will hear the mournful cry that they have been weighed in the people’s balances and have been found wanting.

This crew will then be expected to slink away and tend to the business at hand, namely licking their wounds and wondering to themselves how they could ever be so wrong.

24 April 2007

Clifton A Nest Egg of Economic Empowerment, Says Ritchie:
By Vanessa C. Rolle -
Nassau, Bahamas:

Confident that he will be elected as the first parliamentary representative for the newly created Clifton Constituency, businessman Jackson Ritchie said last night the controversial Clifton property holds many economic opportunities for Bahamians.

At a PLP rally held at the carnival site of the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, Mr. Ritchie told thousands of supporters of the intrinsic wealth of the Clifton property and how the FNM administration was prepared to sell this prized historical property for the construction of a gated community.

Once inhabited by the Lucayan Indians, and later, slaves, the Clifton plantation will be transformed into the first national theme park and managed by the Clifton Heritage Authority, he said.

"Everywhere you turn in Clifton you can see our heritage, but more importantly, you can also see the dynamic future that has been put in place by this Christie government that will blossom, bringing Clifton’s people great economic benefit and security," Mr. Ritchie told the crowd.

He said that the FNM government would have sold the land to foreigners "to make a golf course on our ancestor’s graves," but the PLP administration’s plan for the area would directly and positively impact the development of the Clifton community by bringing employment, spin-off businesses and prosperity.

"Tourists and Bahamians alike will flock to his theme park every day of the year and will enrich the Clifton constituency with many kinds of employment and educational opportunities," he said.

Yet, apart from the developments at Clifton, Mr. Ritchie urged Bahamians to take a look at the transformation of the entire Bahamas.

Under the Christie administration, he said, The Bahamas’ present economic state is rewarding and there is a dynamic future ahead as the prime minister employs his visionary concept of anchor properties owned by both Bahamian and foreign investors.

"These anchor properties, which are investments not only in The Bahamas but in the future of The Bahamas, represent a steady income stream for many Bahamians in today’s Bahamas, and also a steady source of employment in the future as these properties grow and expand to meet the demands in the years to come," Mr. Ritchie continued.

At the heart of the PLP’s governance has been the welfare of the Bahamian people as evidenced also in its successful urban renewal programmes in the inner cities of Grand Bahama and New Providence, and the establishment of the "cradle-to-the-grave" health system called National Health Insurance, he added.

On the Family Islands, the quality of life of many families has also vastly improved with major infrastructural developments, he said.’

"Everywhere, Bahamians are being touched by the caring and compassion of the Christie government, a government that is truly concerned about everyone, not just the privileged few that are trying to bring back the bad old days when Hubert Ingraham’s FNM took very good care of that very small bunch," Mr. Ritchie said.

Bahamians are standing at the threshold of an economic development boom where everyone will benefit from such a time of opportunity and empowerment, Mr. Ritchie said.

He said that he is committed to use his business skills and knowledge to help make the constituency of Clifton a well-run community where everyone has access to information on jobs, opportunities and matters of national interest.

"I want to see the people of Clifton truly benefit from the wealth that is all around them from the natural and historic treasures and from the economic growth that is on its way to western New Providence," Mr. Ritchie said.

"I will make sure that the people of Clifton are positioned to take advantage of the vibrant economic growth that the Christie government has created and will continue to maintain for the foreseeable future. The people of Clifton will not turn back now."

18 April 2007

By VIRAJ PERPALL,
Guardian Staff Reporter -
Nassau, Bahamas:
viraj@nasguard.com -

With a three week countdown to the May 2nd general election, many Bahamians are preparing themselves for a short and furious campaign season and are expressing their personal feelings on the matter.

The Nassau Guardian took to the streets of Nassau yesterday to get the general mood and opinions of many persons concerning the upcoming election season and received mixed views on the topic.

"Both parties could have made a bigger effort, the time was too short and I think the campaigns on both parts are a bit cheesy, instead of focusing on issues they are both focusing on who slept with who, not with what they will do when they get back in power," said Alistina Kemp.

Another vocal gentlemen who wished to remain anonymous said that he has been waiting to vote ever since the PLP was elected to lead the government in 2002. "Everyone is ready and if Mr Christie had called the election date for the very next day, people in The Bahamas would all know who they want in power," he said.

He stated that Bahamians have made up their minds a long time ago on who they want to run the nation and no campaign no matter how good it is can change what the people want.

However with campaign season being just a mere three weeks before elections many also felt it necessary to voice their concerns on the shortness of the election season.

"I don't think it's short at all and even if other people think it is, it doesn't really matter because Bahamians know what they want deep inside," said a gentleman referred to as Doctor Bones. He added that he feels the time given was more than enough time and he said that everyone should have known a long time ago that elections were coming up soon.

Another lady told The Guardian, "I am not a very political person, but I just want for the elections to be peaceful." She also said that she would be voting for a party rather than her representative in this election because, the representative for the party she wants in power is not worth voting for.

"I do not believe in the person I am voting for but I am voting for the party because I want to see them as the government, but the person running for the party has done nothing and does not deserve my vote."

Rebecca Saunders said that she personally felt that the campaign season is too short and feels that the political candidates need more time to know the people in the areas they are running in. "You never see them in the hard times and in the bad times, but they pop up all of a sudden during elections."

Taxi cab owner, Edward Ferguson said that he feels the election is too soon since the announcement of the election date and said that candidates were announced too late. He added that picking a political party in this election is like choosing between the lesser of two evils. However he said that the true problem with politics in The Bahamas is that it is lacking young persons who have the knowledge and the sincerity for the nation.

"The younger people need to be in governance because they are more educated and have better ideas."

He added that a solution to the ills of The Bahamas must be found very soon as he feels the nation is rapidly deteriorating due to a steady decline in moral values.

A call for Real Debates:
Bahama Journal Editorial -
Nassau, Bahamas:

Today we challenge all who would lead this great little nation of ours to stand and be counted and to come forward prepared to debate some of the issues that Bahamians are already talking about among themselves.

Like other Bahamians who have a direct stake in the outcome of the next general election, we too want to know and hear what the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie and the Rt. Hon. Hubert Alexander Ingraham have to say concerning their positions on issues that matter to Bahamians.

The public wants to know whether those who would lead from the helm have what it takes to speak to the issues that would distinguish one leader from the other.

The debates we talk about should be pitched to this type of thinking Bahamian voter. We make this call in a context where it is conceded that both major parties have a tremendous amount of crowd support as witnessed by what has been happening at the mass rallies.

And as most people recognize, these events are staged to rally and energize each party’s base. Little is therefore left for those thinking Bahamians who want a bit more than pom-poms, rake and scrape and the now obligatory fireworks.

These people want to hear their leaders debate the issues that matter most.

We make this observation against a particular background, which was that Wednesday evening presented us with a unique dilemma – that being that we were caught in a spot where we literally fantasized about being in two places at the same time. That is so because we wanted to be an eyewitness to history at both the rallies that were being held on two of the major meeting places in New Providence.

We wanted to get a feel for what was happening for the Progressive Liberal Party as it launched its campaign down at the Sports Centre, and what was happening for the Free National Movement as its leaders and foot soldiers sought to stir up an already frenziedly ecstatic crowd at Clifford Park.

As best as we could we did do just that.

What we did was to channel surf from one station to the other in order to see and hear some of what was happening at both rallies.

Prime Minister Christie was in fine form as he lambasted the current opposition, and not to be outdone, so was Mr. Ingraham, leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition in the House of Assembly.

As we have already indicated, all roads now lead to Election Day, May 2, 2007.

On that date, the voice of the people will roar.

Once that cry comes forth, some will hear the mournful cry that they have been weighed in the people’s balances and have been found wanting. This crew will then be expected to slink away and tend to the business at hand, namely licking their wounds and wondering to themselves how they could ever be so wrong.

On the other end of the spectrum will be those jubilant Bahamians who would rush forward to give thanks to the Almighty for seeing them through. They will do what winners do, that being to wax eloquent about how they knew that theirs was the easier path.

At this juncture, both major political parties seem convinced that the mandate of heaven is fated for their side. Even now, there is that hardy band of men and women who are already trying to figure out what part they will play in the next administration.

Some will do so for naught.

And so, unlike some others who blithely and ignorantly assume that there are no real differences between the Free National Movement and the Progressive Liberal Party, we are convinced that they do differ in ways that would be decipherable to all who would examine them more closely.

In one regard, this is obvious when reference is made to their past.

One struggled for Majority Rule while the other has a record of being cold to lukewarm on that issue and Independence.

In more recent times, there was a marked division between the two as regards their responses to challenges posed by a drug trade through the Bahamas that left in its wake much social desolation.

Their leaders differ in ways that do matter when reference is made to personality, demeanor and attitude.

And so, today we insist that the issues that matter most to Bahamians should be debated and discussed as widely and as thoroughly as possible. While mass rallies and radio advertisements do give us and others some idea as to what their parties are all about, nothing trumps an open debate.

13 April 2007

Ingraham: Christie Betrayed Bahamians
By Quincy Parker -
Nassau, Bahamas:

The Free National Movement has served notice: during the next 21 days, FNM leader Hubert Ingraham said the party would demonstrate how the Christie Administration has betrayed the Bahamian people during the last five years.

During a rally at Clifford Park last night, Mr. Ingraham excoriated the Christie PLP for what he termed its "late again record."

Mr. Ingraham blasted the PLP for supposedly being late with concluding the agreement with Baha Mar, the opening of schools, getting new police vehicles, building new schools, completing promotions in the disciplined forces, and keeping a promise to pass boundary changes six months before a general election, among other things.

Mr. Ingraham savaged the PLP for – in his words – failing to empower Bahamians in their own economy.

"Five years later they have handed over thousands of acres of Crown Land to foreigners for residential developments for more foreigners. Five years later, deserving Bahamians are still waiting in that long Perry Christie line to have their applications for Crown Land processed," he said.

"Five years later, our environment is under assault and wetlands are being filled in to make way for golf courses and homes for foreigners."

Mr. Ingraham promised that the FNM would address the government’s "reckless development strategy," which he charged is "making it increasingly difficult for Bahamians to acquire and retain ownership of prime residential and commercial property."

"That is why when we are returned to office, your FNM will act to protect our citizens’ access to land by discontinuing the present government’s practice of the sale of publicly-owned land to non-Bahamians for onward sale to other non-Bahamians for residential purposes," Mr. Ingraham said.

He said the FNM would also make Crown Land available to Bahamians at concessionary rates for home construction and industry, including resort development and adopt policies to encourage and support efforts by Bahamians to retain or acquire prime residential and commercial properties.

Mr. Ingraham also laid out more of the FNM’s policy agenda.

He touted a new business empowerment programme for young people called the "Self Starters Initiative."

"It’s designed to empower young people seeking to establish themselves or expand small businesses. The programme will assist with funding for equipment and supplies," he said.

"The Self Starters Network will offer business seminars, online research facilities, access to business counselors and direct training links to the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and the College of The Bahamas."

"Available online," he added, "this programme will reach Family Island students in their home islands and disabled young persons in their homes."

The FNM, he said, would circulate "Constituency Platforms" beginning this weekend – the documents are intended to present summaries of the FNM’s plans to address some of the most important issues of concern to constituents.

He also took a shot at the PLP over the perception that the PLP may have supposedly cut deals with certain MPs not to run against them.

"We made no deals: we engaged no hatchet men. We ignored none of our supporters," he said. "We are running everywhere. We are FNMs. We are proud to run on our party’s ticket. We are not hiding behind anyone else’s trouser legs. We have no FNMs parading as independents."

Mr. Ingraham said the Manifesto 2007 is in its final stages of preparation.

The former prime minister also scornfully slammed the recent poll results done by international pollsters showing the PLP with 60 percent of the electorate voting for them.

"The PLP have taken to manufacturing poll results," he said. "They’ve come to believe that if they keep repeating their lies someone may come to believe them. They say they have 60 percent of the support, but they must mean 60 percent of PLPs because plenty PLPs are fed up with them. This time, plenty PLPs are going to vote FNM."

12 April 2007