*Repost:* Minnis and the FNM party will now go about making political life as miserable as possible for each of the four FNM MPs who were compelled to vote both their conscience and the very strongly expressed sentiments of their constituents. Arrogant Minnis and the FNM party will conveniently forget that they nominated these four MPs to run for elected office a little over a year ago and that each of them invested great time and energy in successfully campaigning for their seats. The vindictiveness and arrogance of Minnis is such that he will ensure these four FNM MPs are prevented from accomplishing anything for their constituents by means of the public purse. I would encourage all four of these brave FNM MPs (Robinson, Miller, McAlpine, and Chipman) to officially become independents at the earliest possible time recognizing that it will not be long before they are joined by other FNM MPs who, like them, and like the vast majority of voters throughout the country today, are most unhappy with Minnis's dismal leadership.

Can't say that I necessarily care.

I honestly don't give a flying fart about any of these guys or the current administration. What needs to be discussed and reported on is the impact of increasing taxes and the intricacies of how atrocious our fiscal situation is. People are praising these MP's or defending the PM in his decision. In the grand scheme none of that trash matters, we vote everyone out anyway. What will remain with us is debt and the bills associated with it.

You're most disturbing and unsettling big picture point is unfortunately shared by many of us.

I don't think so. Maybe amongst those that frequent this forum but the wider public seems completely oblivious to how bad of a position we are. Couple that with the outbreak of a global trade war with the United States we might be seems a slow down of the global economy, which we depend on.

All of this is nothing but political pump and pageantry to me. I really, really, hope their forecast for this new tax into 2020 is successful. We need to also slash the burden of these government funded non-contributory pensions that are about to drain the public purse when scores of those over 50 retire from the public service. Then there is the issue of National insurance increasing AGAIN, The dumpster fire of BOB and resolve Bahamas and the fact that we never remitted the landfill. Man I can go on and on.

Couldn't have agreed with you more. It is also my hope that the government stays on track with trying to bring fiscal responsibility. Peter Turnquest is looking at 3 years, while that is hard, it is completely attainable. It will take serious adherence to the targets and a serious wake up call for the Bahamian public.

Sadly, I do not think that the wider public is even aware of how close we are to ruin. They choose to listen to political pundits and follow the silly personalities on social media.

These letters seem to be more of ... more like letters of getting 'laid off' from da job as there are words like 'thanks' and 'apprrciation' and 'godspeed' used. So there is no need fer trying to start no conflict when dere is respect on all sides.

No one should ever give serious attention to a politician's words, whether spoken or written. It's only his or her actions that count in active politics.

Understand this was NOT a cabinet decision but a secretive 12% VAT sprungs upon nation by Minnis and KP.... truth is no cabinet rules could be broken when it was NOT a cabinet decision.
The demotion four red shirts MP's means nothing considering Comrades Frederick, Travis, Vaughn and Reece has be measured by their being all but 'strangers' to the inside inner going on's Imperial red shirts cabinet room.... being they were only allowed attend 'by special invitation' and that to my understanding was rare to never invite. The PM and KP, didn't even inform their substantive minister colleagues who are always allowed behind guarded cabinet walls about an approaching 12% VAT. This is taxing ways strong man's and authoritarian regimes. The 7 marked absent from House vote by the Speaker were absent with good Minnis and KP reason..... yet they are not being punished. Why not?

Four of them were in the Cayman Islands!

Time will tell if he is correct. . .

You have to ask yourself, who is these gentlemen's boss? Who hired them? The answers to these two questions in conjunction with the system of government brings us to the logical conclusion. Is the British parliamentary form of democratic government the best for the Bahamas? Is it outdated? These are important questions worthy of discussion.

Fully agree, this is the point that some don't get. Laws are changed and/or amended all the time. I think that particular policy makes no sense IMHO.

Pardon my ignorance. I digress for a minute. But why are we restricted from commenting on all the Vasyli stories. Is this some law that we cant comment on supreme court matters or something?. Each of the stories on her comments are disabled. Unless i am ignorant to the fact, this is a prime example of why our country will continue to suffer. The people ,The Bahamians are the at the bottom of the bottom shelf compared to the wealthy or well off. Money,Power and Heritage of the bigger heads in this country continue to have our country by the balls. Our people, whether criminal or not in a criminal case would be scrutinized to the fullest degree. now all of sudden we can barely have an opinion on this Vasyli case.

Having nowhere to post on the story ,i came here. excuse me.. Please tell me that i aim misinformed on this matter and that this is not another example of Power over people.

The rebel four knew the rules (or should have).

The bigger picture as a previous poster has indicated is that the country is in the financial sh#t courtesy of five years of corrupt and inept governance by the disastrous Christie led PLP. We have to raise tax revenue and seriously cut back on government expenditure. That is obvious. Failure to do so will result in The Bahamas treading the same path as Barbados and effectively handing over control of the country to the IMF. VAT is a horrible regressive tax and should never have been introduced by the PLP. The FNM had little choice however but to increase the rate but I would have set it at 10% with no exemptions save for medicines and health insurance. The Cabinet now needs to look seriously at reducing the civil service and IMMEDIATELY introducing mandatory pension contributions for ALL existing employees not just new hires. The new taxation levels for the Web Shops has not gone nearly far enough. The Government should increase them even higher next Budget and reduce the suffering caused by these parasitic numbers bosses.

According to the Attorney General, since 1968 the Bahamas Government has never paid down on its outstanding debt but has only added to it every year to run the country. While we understand how irresponsible and stupid this has been, I think most are in agreement that other measures could have been, and should be, taken and that this budget and its tax "remedies" was poorly though out and presented. Concur with all your points.

I commend THE FOUR who voted their convictions. While understanding the "Westminster" regulation as concerns voting to support a bill being presented by one's party, I do not understand the point of forced voting. It seems tantamount to a totalitarian government attempting to give the impression of democracy. However, removing said rule could create governmental chaos........

why chaos? Maybe our politicians will finally learn how to communicate and bargain. This my way or the highway BS is killing us.

Congratulations MCMR Boys! (Miller, Chipman, McAlpine, and Robinson) The silver lining behind this cloud is two of the other political parties in our Bahamaland needs REAL (((Electable))) leaders who CAN win on a third party ticket. Bran, swallow your pretty pride, I recommend Mr. Vaughan Miller for leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Let's send them a message of "We the people" and not the corrupt elite and their UBP puppets. Let's get this ball rolling NOW!!!! - MILLER For Prime Minister!-

Boy you can hear some things. . . that man is a long stretch. . . nobody in that crew got it. . .maybe Travis Robinson may in future. . . them other. . .no time soon. . .now God is the only person who can say for sure. . .but experience tells me that " HEADY CREW" een thinking!