Perry Christie sheds 'indecisive' label

PRIME MINISTER Perry Christie seems confused about the operation of web shops. So are we.

Can you imagine the number of Bahamians — except, of course, web shop operators —who are even more confused than we are.

When first there was talk of a referendum, it was understood that Bahamians would be asked to vote on whether or not they agreed with gambling for the Bahamas — any form of gambling. As discussions continued over time it was understood that the question would be whether Bahamians wanted a national lottery. And so until his recent announcement in the House setting the December 3 date for the referendum everyone was debating a national lottery. However, with the announcement of the date was the statement that a national lottery was out of the question. According to Mr Christie, his London-based consultants had told him that a national lottery in such a small country was not “commercially viable at this time.” However, what was overlooked was that other small Caribbean islands have successful national lotteries. What the advisors possibly said was that a national lottery and web shops could not co-exist – one would bleed too much from the other. Did Mr Christie have to make the hard decision as to which had to be eliminated, rather than leaving that decision to the voters?

Mr Christie promised that Bahamians would be fully educated on lotteries before they would be asked to vote. However, having been led to believe that Mr Christie had a report by experts as to why a national lottery would not work here, but web shops would, Bahamians naturally expected to see the report. This assumption proved an embarrassment for Mr Christie — there was no report, only a few letters over a period of time.

Asked if he would release the few sheets of paper giving him that advice, his curt reply was: “No, why would I want to do that?” Well why wouldn’t he want to do that if this was the only bit of information that he had on which he was making a decision on behalf of the Bahamian people, especially after informing them that it was their decision to make— not his.

Mr Christie has now decided to fly the experts to Nassau, obviously to inform the voters. He also said that a “major announcement” is to be expected soon on the referendum and web shop gambling.

As a result of the confusion and lack of the promised information, the FNM has asked that the referendum be delayed to give people time to learn more before having to make up their minds. Mr Christie should recall when his party was in opposition how — after voting in the House on the referendum for women — he went outside and encouraged the people to vote against it because, he said, it was unclear. This time the political shoe is on the other political foot.

One point that has to be clarified is whether a national lottery or web shops are better for the Public Treasury. According to Mr Christie government will collect about $20 million in tax revenue from the web shops. However, former minister of state for finance in the Ingraham government, said that according to his government’s estimates the tax revenue expected should be in the region of $40 million.

“Quite frankly,” said Mr Laing, “I think that this is why the issue needs to be aired out more so that we make a sensible decision in the end.”

Recently when asked by the press during the Abaco by-election whether any money had been accepted by either party from the illegal numbers houses, Mr Ingraham said the FNM party had accepted no donations, however, he did not know if individual FNM members had. Asked the same question, Mr Christie said he did not know if his party had received any of this illegal money.

At the time we were told by a very reliable source that the numbers people offered donations to both parties for the Abaco by-election. The FNM refused to accept anything, he said. He went on to say more, but we shall leave it there.

During the campaign we received a call from Abaco. The caller wanted to know if Mr Craig Flowers, owner of FML Web Shop, whose shop had been raided by the police last year and almost a million dollars confiscated, had been made “an ambassador or something.”

The caller said that on Mr Flower’s arrival at Abaco on the Saturday before the election, he was treated as a celebrity — met at the airport on arrival by a police Inspector and driven off in a police car. On his departure he was also escorted by a police Inspector. Of course, we could not confirm this, but we told the caller that as far as we knew Mr Flowers had had no special government appointment.

However, because Mr Christie earned the reputation, during his first term in office, for being indecisive, he is now determined to go ahead with the December 3 date regardless — if only to prove that he can make up his mind and move forward.

However, for the sake of the country it would be advisable to take more time to give Bahamians an opportunity to grasp the issues.

Comments

TalRussell says...

Yes, Comrades I know you think it's pretty darn scary when I begin agreeing, even if ever so slightly, with any Tribune editorial but PM Christie has even managed to inflict such upon me head, and believe me it's also true with many others head's who also agreed that he should have been allowed to return to power to retire during his second term as Prime Minister of Bahamaland. 

But first before I add some agreement ink to The Tribune's ‘far too extravagant’ lacking on facts way of describing the way PM Christie has made a total mess of his "pitch", unfortunately of which this editorial fails to provide readers with little to no real meat to digest, before voting or deciding to stay home?

That's where I step in to provide readers with the real beef many have with the PM's approach on the numbers rackets.

And, Comrades it is important we all start calling this "thing" for what it really is; "Numbers Rackets."

So, stay tuned because you will not want to miss my take down-of the suits "upstairs" at Shirley and Deveaux Streets, over what they should have penned about PM Christie's mishandling of his "thing' on making the numbers men's rackets "right" in Bahammaland, and all rushy in time for Christmas 2012?

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2012…

Posted 10 November 2012, 11:37 a.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

Well what did you expect? The PLP all of a sudden to be a legit government? Based on what? Their record? LOP's corruption and PGC's failed first term and corruption? The PLP will legalize FLours and no one is going to stop them. End of story...

Posted 13 November 2012, 9:50 a.m. Suggest removal

dacy says...

They are many who owe the Bahamian gullible people an apology for what happen on May 7th,,,they are the ones I blame for this mess we now find ourselves in once again...people like TalRussell, whose dislike for one man will cause a nation to come to ruins!

Posted 14 November 2012, 3:26 p.m. Suggest removal

242 says...

So true all they wanted was anyting but ingraham

Posted 14 November 2012, 8:10 p.m. Suggest removal

dacy says...

;remind me of the song: damn fool you married the gullin, damn fool, thought you married a woman, you married a big black bird.

my version: damn fools you hired a lazy man, damn fools, you got rit a provened hard working leader and end up with a provened lazy, indecisive man...damn fools!

Posted 15 November 2012, 11:45 a.m. Suggest removal

bigdee says...

to me gambling is cost families to go broke to go hungry kids cant get lunch money for school bills cannt get paid plus there will only only be a few webshops who get to opreated its not fair i say bahahmains lets vote no the fnm goverment did not had balls even to bring in foward at least the plp have a little couarge to staarted it i say closed all down its nt good fort the bahamas 3thousand jobs lets try get thoses jobs else where the number boses are gangesters and thieves they are rapeing the poor people have you notice who gamble the most the poor persons and the thing which have me so upset is that the churches is not strong enough they are nt going by the web shops and staging rallies and haveing street meetings in front of these webshops its like they wanted a yes vote come out of your fancy churches and do something god have your back church so lets fast and pray and do the right thing according to god will

Posted 26 November 2012, 7:35 a.m. Suggest removal

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