EDITORIAL: Political ‘pay back’ time is next year, not for the June 7 referendum

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

DEPUTY Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis says he has no reason to apologise for having voted against the 2002 constitutional referendum that would have put Bahamian women on an equal footing with their male counterparts because it was Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham who had inspired the results when he “politicised” the vote.

However, as The Tribune reporter pointed out, Mr Ingraham’s statement predicting that the party whose side won the referendum would win the election was made less than a week before the vote took place – well after the PLP had already withdrawn its support for the referendum, and was well into its campaign for its defeat. And so, Mr Davis’ excuse for his decision not to apologise is a distortion of the facts.

Two years before — in August, 2014 – Prime Minister Christie took the same position. No apology was needed, he had said for his party’s decision to campaign against the 2002 referendum. It did not matter that the PLP parliamentarians had earlier pledged their full support in the House of Assembly for its passage.

“For me moving forward there is no apology from me. There will be an explanation from me, but no apology,” Mr Christie had emphasised.

Mr Christie had explained that while both the election and referendum of 2002 were long gone, it was the church at the time that had largely opposed the constitutional changes because “all of the leaders ... said they were insufficiently consulted”.

Archbishop Drexel Gomez of the Anglican Church had claimed that the constitutional referendum was flawed and that those who did not agree with his position were side-stepping the moral issue. We never understood what that moral issue was and why the PLP, then in opposition, would be so concerned about that issue that it would risk making itself look foolish by going back on its pledge to campaign with the government for its passage.

Also we still do not know what or who constituted the Church that was meant to have been consulted as many church leaders did participate and state their opinion on the matter. For example, the late Archbishop Lawrence Burke of the Catholic Archdiocese had much to say on the matter. One issue that he discussed at length was the Bahamian male’s fear that if citizenship were granted to a Bahamian woman’s foreign husband, the foreigner would take their jobs.

Why, he had asked, should this fear exist if a Bahamian man was qualified in his trade or profession, was honest, reliable and had a good work ethic. It’s only those who don’t measure up who have anything to fear. The Bahamian man is already threatened, the Archbishop observed, because he is being replaced by Bahamian women “left, right and centre”.

While the Christie government, then in Opposition, feigned a fear of falling into bad odour with the Church, it had no such qualms 11 years later when the Church lobbied hard and won a “no” vote against legalising web shops in the 2013 gambling referendum, only to be ignored by government, which decreed that web shops were now legal. The Church was a convenient excuse in 2002. Even so, it was not sufficient to justify government’s behaviour. And so, as far as we are concerned we still await a plausible excuse for government’s 2002 decision. Although, in 2014, Mr Christie said he would not apologise. He did promise to explain. We still await an explanation that makes sense.

“I think the PLP’s opposition to the (2002) referendum was that you should never do something against the will of the people, and the FNM was actually acting against the will of the people,” Mr Christie had said in 2012. Now isn’t that interesting. Again we refer to that $1.2m gambling referendum, which when government discovered it was not required by the Constitution, conveniently passed it off as an expensive “opinion poll” and boldly defied the will of the people. Really this government is so mixed up that it can’t keep its stories straight from one year to the next.

Mr Davis said he voted “no” in 2002, but did so, not because he did “not believe in the rights of the sexes but rather because it was included in a number of other amendments to the Constitution that bred a lot of confusion and (my vote was a message) not to the bills but rather the whole process”.

Even that excuse fails to hold water. Mr Ingraham did everything possible — even before the matter got to the floor of the House – to make certain that government and opposition were on the same page so that Bahamians would know that this was not an “FNM thing” but rather “a thing that we the parliament of The Bahamas have now agreed to…”

Every change that the opposition asked for was made by the Ingraham government. If Mr Davis was confused by the number of amendments Bahamians were asked to vote on, why didn’t he open his mouth, speak his mind and get himself “unconfused”? This is just more foolishness that we do not buy.

The truth of the matter is that the PLP saw an opportunity to win an election, decided to leave Bahamian women as second class citizens, and march to victory as the next government of the Bahamas. They succeeded and now they fear “payback” from an angry people who are more confused than ever.

“I would hope no ill-effects (take place from that),” said Mr Davis. “We’re all motivated by any number of things. There is always this element of payback that exists in many of us. I just hope that they will be able to overcome their disappointment over the failure (in 2002).”

Of course, there is going to be payback. Many are now asking why when the PLP urged them to vote “no” in 2002 they are now asking them to vote “yes” in 2016. Only the PLP can answer that question — our mind does not follow their contorted manoeuvrings.

And then there is the Rev Peter Pinder of the Grand Bahama Christian Council, who is saddened by the confusion created by the June 7 referendum. His followers are particularly concerned about Bills 2 and 4.

“We recognise that women in this country have occupied some of the highest offices in our land. This is an indication that as a nation we believe in gender equality. This is a position we support,” he said. We hope that he means that his followers also support women’s rights to have equality in her home for the protection of her family.

Bill 2 seeks to enable a Bahamian woman who marries a foreign man “to secure for him the same access to Bahamian citizenship that a Bahamian man has always enjoyed under the Constitution in relation to his foreign spouse. In short, the bill seeks to achieve gender equality in this regard.”

There’s talk that it is now payback time. Many are out to defeat this referendum to get back at the Christie government for not being true to its word when in Opposition in 2002, and also not obeying the will of the people who voted against gambling in 2013. In other words, this referendum has fallen into the pit of politics. Now is not the time for retribution as too many Bahamian families will suffer.

Pay back time comes when Bahamians go to the polls to mark their ballots in 2017.

Comments

sheeprunner12 says...

Whoever wins the Gender aka Sissy Referendum will win the 2017 Election (to paraphrase Hubbigity) ....... Vote NO to the Bills and Vote NO to the PLP

Posted 17 May 2016, 8:17 p.m. Suggest removal

Greentea says...

please cease and desist sheeprunner12. stop reducing something that will benefit women to something it is not.

Posted 18 May 2016, 11:28 p.m. Suggest removal

SP says...

**Vote "NO" across the board in protest to any and all referendum**

Until these good for nothing, deceitful politicians bring a referendum on Article 7 as demanded for decades by the electorate, vote NO!

Posted 19 May 2016, 9:34 a.m. Suggest removal

Amen ......... BOYCOTT, BAHAMAS!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 20 May 2016, 8 p.m. Suggest removal

Economist says...

There are four(4) separate Bills.

The first three have nothing to do with sissys. They affect children and the family.

There are many families where the children are of the same father and mother who, at the time of their birth are married. The only difference is where the mother delivered the child.

If the child was born in The Bahamas then it is Bahamain, if it was born in, say New York, then it is a foreigner, even if the child returns at six weeks.'

So you have two children (say two brothers) who both grow up here but one brother is s foreigner.

That is wrong so vote YES for Bill one.

Posted 17 May 2016, 9:50 p.m. Suggest removal

Emac says...

Sorry madam editor!!!!!!!!! Payback is at the referendum and election!!!! The people done gat a bad taste in their mouth-Nothing will change that. Maybe if the gambling referendum was not flawed and manipulated by this government, we would have a more forgiving spirit. But seriously, this is too much to swallow and say "I am doing this for country."

Posted 17 May 2016, 10:06 p.m. Suggest removal

jackbnimble says...

I agree. The Government manipulates everything! I'm sorry but citizenship grants in the hands of a corrupt Government so close to election does not sit well with me. I'll be voting NO across the board.

Posted 18 May 2016, 1:58 p.m. Suggest removal

both of you are dead wrong on this and reflect the attitude that keeping this country backward, partisan, tribal and ignorant. for once in your life take politics and xenophobia out of this, read the damn bills and think in terms of the best interest of the country. this has nothing to do with PLP and FNM and everything to do with human rights. sad that even with bipartisan participation of women - most a y'all dudes and I am willing to bet in every house that y'all are some insecure men - still can't get beyond it. stop using politics as an excuse not to do the RIGHT thing. own up to your misogyny but stop this political BS.

Posted 18 May 2016, 11:37 p.m. Suggest removal

This referendum is clearly for some PLP & FNM yet unknown evil agenda. We **DON'T WANT TO** find out what that agenda is.

Trusting the PLP and FNM is **NOT** an option!

Posted 19 May 2016, 9:42 a.m. Suggest removal

EasternGate says...

Vote No

Posted 18 May 2016, 1:07 p.m. Suggest removal

When you don't KNOW ........ Vote NO ....... to paraphrase the PLP 2002 ....... A good suggestion then ........ an excellent suggestion now ........... It's called Payback baby!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 18 May 2016, 2:21 p.m. Suggest removal

really? payback on the lives and rights of women? shameful.

Posted 18 May 2016, 11:38 p.m. Suggest removal

Greentea ......... sorry that you drink the PLP koolaid, but these Bills will not incrementally improve the lives of 98% of the ordinary Bahamians except for a handful of special interest groups .. ....... Bills 1-3 are unnecessary and Bill 4 is rooted in the New World Order.........we seem more interested in throwing away our cultural morals and values reflected in the Constitution's Preamble for the proverbial "bowl of porridge" as espoused by the YES caucus ....... VOTE NO!!!!!!!!

Posted 19 May 2016, 7:16 a.m. Suggest removal

Guaranteed we won't even get the "proverbial bowl of porridge". We could expect getting what the **DUCK** got as usual if we'er stupid enough to trust the PLP again!

Posted 19 May 2016, 9:48 a.m. Suggest removal

Honestman says...

If the "No" vote prevails across the board then the PLP only have themselves to blame. They are the biggest hypocrites under the sun.

Posted 18 May 2016, 2:30 p.m. Suggest removal

But the families will continue to suffer injustice. Especially the children.

Not to mention the rest of the civilized world will look down on our outdated and anti-women law.

Posted 18 May 2016, 8:10 p.m. Suggest removal

**.....What criteria do you refer to reach such idiotic conclusions?......**

Exodus 20:5-6 The sins of the parents fall onto the children. Collateral damage!

There is no evidence that this "civilized world" you speak of gives a hoot about unemployed, starving, homeless, disenfranchised Bahamians to date.

Why the hell pray tell, should Bahamians suddenly be concerned about what this so called "civilized world" thinks about us?

Posted 21 May 2016, 12:24 p.m. Suggest removal

Madame Editor,
Before one can qualify for the "Big Dance", One has to practice a few good moves.
The referendum is the practice, for the big payback in 2017!

Posted 18 May 2016, 8:43 p.m. Suggest removal

**Bahamians should vote "NO" on ANY referendum until we get the referendum demanded**

Referendums are for the people and from the people! The electorate consistently demanded a referendum on Article 7 for decades only to be totally ignored.

We will vote "NO" across the board on June 7th and "NO" to any other referendum they bring until we get a referendum on Article 7 and another solid "NO" in May 2017.

PLP and FNM totalitarian dictatorship rule must be brought to an end.

Posted 19 May 2016, 8:59 a.m. Suggest removal

Amen ............ BOYCOTT, BAHAMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 20 May 2016, 8:02 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

Bahamians had better mark their "X" on the ballot next to the picture of the gate, as it represents (1) the gate to keep thousands of foreigners (wanting Bahamian status) out of our country and (2) the gate to keep same-sex marriages from happening in our country! The corrupt Ingraham-led FNM and Christie-led PLP governments of the past three decades think we are all fools. Even though many of us are either unemployed or under employed, our corrupt government is now hell bent on granting thousands of foreigners Bahamian status in exchange for their vote down the road. We can't afford to let this happen. Bahamians must show up at the polls on June 7th and vote a resounding "NO!" to all four of the proposed amendments to our constitution. Remember....just mark your "X" next to the picture of the gate on your ballot. We must all vote "NO" otherwise we and our families will really be sorry when the wave of foreigners come to our shores to take our jobs for less pay!

Posted 21 May 2016, 11:49 a.m. Suggest removal

The question that real Bahamians have to weigh is: Will our vote protect the long term survival of The Bahamas as we are today or do we want to take the plunge to assimilate a plethora of future 'Bahamians' on the fringes of society ..... do we protect our national/cultural identity or become more globally inclusive ??????? ............ It is the question that many countries have faced in one form or the other e.g. Scotland vs England .... Britain vs EU .... Puerto Rico vs USA etc ............... Vote for your Future, not for a political bribe, job or phone card

Posted 21 May 2016, 12:23 p.m. Suggest removal

........................................ Five "HELL NO" votes for the PLP ...............................

Bahamians first my ass!

They gave us what the D-U-C-K got for 5 long, agonizing years. Now we'er ready to return the favor with **"5 NO VOTES"**.

Get all your children away from cell phones and computers for a few moments and registered to vote. Registration stations are not crowded to date, so do it NOW.

This is about their future, their children's future and their children's, children's future!
We're sending a clear, concise message to deaf, blind and dumb pirates **"5 NO VOTES"**

**Just can't wait to replace their D- with *our F-*!**

Posted 21 May 2016, 12:30 p.m. Suggest removal

realfreethinker says...

I already vote "yes" in 2002 I wont waste time voting yes again. Yall can use my 2002 vote to add to the numbers

Posted 23 May 2016, 2:57 p.m. Suggest removal

The first 3 bills are fatally flawed and wide open to abuse......the door will be opened to many foreigners obtaining Bahamian citizenship in exchange for agreeing to vote PLP down the road. Our country will be flooded with cheap foreign labour at a time when Bahamian families are having great difficulty feeding, clothing, educating and buying medicine for their children. The PLP can't provide us with decent paying jobs yet they want to let thousands of foreigners into our country so that they get more votes to stay in power. Go figure! As for the fourth bill, it's all about breaking down the institution of marriage to satisfy the divide and conquer policies of the political elite and their favored cronies. Wake up Bahamians.....it's important for all of us voters to get to the polls on June 7th and vote a resounding "No" to all 4 of these bills. These bills and the referendum are not about gender-equality; don't let the corrupt Christie-led PLP government pull the wool over your eyes! Vote "No" to avoid Haitians and Chinese becoming the majority, leaving poor Bahamians as a minority group within their own country. Generations of Bahamians have fought too hard for majority rule and now our corrupt Christie-led PLP government seeks to have that taken away from us. We must all vote "No" to all four of the bills to preserve our Bahamian cultural and ethnic identity, and to avoid foreign males marry Bahamian men to acquire Bahamian citizenship and foreign woman marrying Bahamian women to get Bahamian citizenship.

Posted 30 May 2016, 10:36 a.m. Suggest removal

For the record, I will be voting a resounding "No!" to all four of the bills in tomorrow's referendum. Like most Bahamians I am only intolerant of others who seek to impinge on my rights, my freedoms and my way of life as a Bahamian. This bucket obviously does not include the vast majority of Bahamian men or Bahamian women, but it does include the many thousands of foreigners who are willing to sell their loyalty to the PLP (or FNM for that matter) in exchange for our government (with its hidden agenda) granting them Bahamian citizenship or permanent resident status. And this bucket certainly does include the very loud few in the global LGBT movement who seek to impose their way of life on others under the pretense of the rest of us (the 98+% of us) discriminating against them. The vast majority of Bahamians (both men and women) should not have to give up any of their rights, freedoms and beliefs, nor compromise in any way their way of life, simply because a small few in our society falsely accuse them of being somehow discriminatory. I, along with the other 98+% of Bahamians, have rights too!

Posted 6 June 2016, 3:13 p.m. Suggest removal