Friday, August 7, 2020
EDITOR, The Tribune.
It seems that our system of governance has devolved into a discretionary representative democracy. Politicians get elected claiming they will represent the interests of the people and somewhere along the way they seem to only represent their own interests. I don’t know when it happened, but it has been that way for decades.
Over the past four months, I have taken great pains to listen out for representatives articulating the concerns of their constituents during this COVID-19 crisis; I am still listening to no avail! Every constituency office I have seen post election is consistently closed, while some of the people’s representatives heartily endorsed the prime ministers unforgettable statements that governments sometimes have to make unconstitutional decisions!
I am not aware of one government MP (without a personal political agenda) questioning the two-tier system the government has freely abused to the advantage of a well connected select few, over the destitute, oppressed many. Nor have I heard one MP (without a personal political agenda) highlight the consistently cognitively deficient, unscientific and disjointed decision making of the prime minister with the detrimental socio-economic affect of those decisions on their constituents and the country.
If more of these MPs did their jobs they would hear the cries of “we can’t take no more”, from many of their constituents. But if they listened really closely they would find that people have no confidence in this prime minister and if they really represented their constituents’ interests, they would have no confidence in him either. This would lead the honourable and rational, if they still exist, to do one thing.
If the FNM desires to save their ship during this storm, they must throw Jonah overboard, for he serves no useful purpose. They still have a chance, because for now at least, the people still have no appetite for the PLP!
JB
Nassau,
August 6, 2020.
Comments
Porcupine says...
JB,
I agree. However, please see the Tribune article of a man being arrested and fined for suggesting a change in government. Is it the words that got him into trouble, or the suggestion? The police work for the ones who sign their paychecks, as they did in Hitler's Germany. There will be a clampdown on free speech by the ones we wish to oust. The goal posts will change for the right to free speech, just like what PMs must do in contravention to the constitution in the future, hey? There is a word for this way of governance too, but I fear to use it, as it could be used as evidence to arrest. And, while we use a pen name, be assured that the competent authority's henchmen have their ears and eyes all over us. I am confident that the Tribune would be the first to capitulate to the "authorities", in requesting our names, places of residence and other personal data.
Posted 8 August 2020, 6:41 a.m. Suggest removal
tribanon says...
An excellent take on the current situation we are faced with and well worth reading by anyone concerned about the serious harm Minnis has already caused, and continues to cause, the vast majority of the Bahamian people.
Posted 8 August 2020, 2:47 p.m. Suggest removal
DDK says...
Heartily and absolutely concur JB!
Posted 8 August 2020, 4:02 p.m. Suggest removal
DDK says...
Quite frightening, actually, Porcupine, have often had the same thoughts, particularly of late....
Posted 8 August 2020, 4:05 p.m. Suggest removal
proudloudandfnm says...
Time for the FNM to show loyalty to country and get rid of Minnis. He has never been able to lead, and should never have even been considered for leader. The man is an empty suit...
Posted 8 August 2020, 4:26 p.m. Suggest removal
truetruebahamian says...
I have been pushing to dump Minnis since the rally to replace him with Sands and Butler Turner. He is out of his league and needs to be replaced. His performance and lack of understanding has pronounced that need even more forcefully.
Posted 9 August 2020, 9:07 a.m. Suggest removal
joeblow says...
... those least deserving of power are those who crave it the most as Sands, Symonette and Butler do. They have their own agendas and Sands showed through his dealings with Butler during that convention that he cannot be trusted. When he then cut a deal and sided with Minnis he showed that he is willing to do whatever it takes to advance his **personal** political agenda! He further reinforced his untrustworthiness and political naivety with Swabgate.
The FNM has no outstanding political talent, but sometimes nature should take its course and in this case the deputy leader should become the leader until the next convention!
Posted 9 August 2020, 11:18 a.m. Suggest removal
tribanon says...
Renward Wells is another classic example of someone much more interested in advancing his own political goals rather than the interests of the Bahamian people.
We only need remind ourselves that Christie himself asked Wells to resign after it was revealed that Wells signed a letter of intent to commit the Christie-led PLP government to a $650 million contract with Stellar Waste to Energy Limited without authorisation from the government. Wells then quickly jumped from the PLP's sinking ship to the FNM party at the invitation of none other than Minnis who has since proven himself to be our country's most incompetent and corrupt PM ever. And to think Minnis appointed Wells of all people to serve as minister of health in the midst of the most serious pandemic to afflict mankind in over a century. Unbelievable to say the least!
Posted 9 August 2020, 2:56 p.m. Suggest removal
Porcupine says...
Excellent points
Posted 11 August 2020, 6:41 p.m. Suggest removal
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