Christie in Vegas for work. Ha! He went there to gamble because he can't gamble in his own country.

Idiot does as idiot is...Christie is a joke!

PM you're extending your welcoming arms to even more broke tourists. I hope while the Comrade PM was out there in the Vegas desert, trying to protect his legacy by ducking out of the VAT vote in House - he did pay attention to what has now been recognized as a bankrupt Vegas 'gambling' town? PM, why would you fly off to study something that even the casino owners and Mayor of Vegas know to be on its last leg as the premier gambling spot? All Vegas are attracting these days are the same tourists types Bahamaland has become economical dependent upon - the McDonald's Hamburgers and Fries cruise ship's stopovers. Don't believe me -then why has Bay Street become a tourists ghost town when the cruise sips are not in port? McDonald's is the only restaurant still being heavily patronized by tourists Hamburger and Fries affordable pockets.

PC cares so much for the poor that imposed a tax that will hurt them the most. Actions speak louder than words.

1. I hope PM had a good time. 2. I am positive he collected some bragging rights, having cheered to the basketball players, starlets, and having been a VIP of a the owners and officers of private corporation that certainly paid for all the expenses because of their good heart. 3. He should have stayed there - for good.

Mr. Christie, this is something you probably don't understand but it is called leading by example.

How can one even pretend to defend something so ludicrous, shameful, embarrassing and downright disgusting? Does he even realise he has a job and the country is in shambles?

Wow. So he admits he could have voted but chose not to....**WOW** I never expected him to admit that....he is clueless and hence extremely DANGEROUS.

Really...He actually said that? I didn't bother reading the article and refuse to waste time on anything Christie has to say.

I'm just waiting for the next election to send Christie a clear message that he should GO TO HELL!

Yep, I'm completely shocked that he admitted it so flippantly. He doesn't seem to understand the gravity of the bill, personal responsibility and obviously has no idea what LEADING means.

"*Christie said yesterday his presence was not needed to pass the controversial Value Added Tax Bill, therefore he made the “judgement call” to leave the country for business purposes*"

When will he wake up and listen to the electorate calling for an election and realize that he is a failure, finished, washed up, kaput, jackass extraordinaire?

"make the judgement call" and go to hell Christie....Feet first or head first your call!

WHAT?

The *leader* of the country chose not to show up for one of the most important decisions in the last FORTY years and instead went to Las Vegas to talk about organizing a basketball event? He finally returns and uses an excuse that it was his birthday and that VAT will not harm the poor when the VAT white paper specifically states IT IS A TAX FOR THE POOR.

https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/wcm/conn…

Television sitcoms cannot come up with a better script than this.

PM what you should have done, and I speak as one who voiced many times for you to be successful in the defeat of the Papa Hubert red regime, was to have been present on the floor of the House when the VAT votes were being cast - cause it would have been a wonderful opportunity to have stood on the floor of the People's House to remind, all Bahamalande'rs that the reds had also opposed the PLP's introduction of the National Insurance legislation -of which no red would want to give up today...but you decided to miss such a chance to head for Vegas desert. PM I just don't understand who you are anymore? Yes, i do understand the "Brave's" and the Pot cake's of the PLP - cause they is the same as they were before 2012. PM you let me down.

He says VAT will not affect the poor. That is understandable, the poor will still be poor, there just will be allot more of the poor when the entire middle class is downgraded to the poor section. I thought I was solid lower middle class a couple years ago. No longer today, I am hardly holding on and have cut out any and all spending that is not considered necessary for basic survival. It sucks to live in the Bahamas in this era!

Mr. Christie has a right to celebrate his birthday. We all do. He had already done the work necessary to pass VAT and he knew it would be at passed. The opposition will blame him for VAT if he voted for it or not . As for Dr. Minnis and his worn out tales about Mr. Christie not being able to make a decision AS difficult as they may try to make VAT he made the decision, other. decisions he made the Sir Lynden Airport, Bahmar , Bakers in Abaco and Albany and many others. The Dr: knows.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. CHRISTIE GOD HAS BLESSED YOU.

From one confirmed jackass to another confirmed jackass.....LOL

Well said

Birdiestrachan - you are behaving like one mindless apologist for Perry Christie and the PLP. The Prime Minister should have been in the House to cast his vote - plain and simple. How can you even try and defend his absence?

Actually I think birdie is 100% correct. I think the PM left when he did because he had to attend a planned birthday party in Vegas. He has proven over and over again that he has no comprehension of the serious responsibilities of his office. Going home to sleep while the country burns fits right into his pattern. thank you birdie for bring the birthday celebration to light.

Birdie, you better stop idolizing your master, Christie. It is the year 2014 not 1967 and the PLP are the new slave masters. The Sunshine Boys have taken over from the Bay St. Boys and lets face it, regular Bahamians are the indentured servants. Sorry to take the blinders off but that is what it is today.

You are correct birdie, everyone should celebrate their birthday but Perry Christie is also the Prime Minister of the country and he must put the country first above all else. If he does not have his priorities straight and continues to be irresponsible he should step down or be forced to step down.

NEWS FLASH birdie is PGC on the blog, only he himself believes this mess is working to plan,.

Plan? What plan?

The only plan Christie have includes Haitian voters, friends, family and lovers.

Maybe PC should have sent the Minister of Finance to vote if the PM was going to be unavailable.

I was actually out in vegas and met the PM at the opening of SLS casino and hotel...lets just say he was "not there for business".....but rather for fun and "folly".....way to go PM....your living down to your reputation for sure....