There is absolutely no benefit whatsoever in becoming a Republic. The morning after becoming a Republic the cost of eggs will still be too high, a gallon of gas will be out of sight and Road Traffic will still be a pain in the butt. This question of not wanting the Queen to be our "Master" is quite ridiculous. No one is my master and anyone who continues with this nonsense about "slave mentality" should grow up and join the present day.

I don't agree with the assertion that our nation will collapse economically from shifting to a republican form of government, nothing significant will change other than a President replacing the Queen as head of state (Plus we are in inescapable debt as it stands already. We are going to economically collapse regardless of whether we alter the governing system or not. Can't have 55 years of deficit spending while borrowing to keep the lights on and not pay the toll). What I find baffling is the notion that we should become a republic to separate from our colonial heritage while we all speak the English language and our politicians all line up to have British honours next to their name. There is absolutely no non-emotional argument in favour of becoming a republic, we do not gain a single benefit by doing so. Why do we need to piss away millions of tax dollars on holding a referendum, changing legislation, electing a President, etc. for absolutely no benefit at all?

Sadly, most people think with their emotions instead of looking at an issue logically.

No problems, LastMan, glad to see that we are both on the same page!!

Nevermind, I misread your comment. I thought you were advocating that we would economically collapse immediately after becoming a republic. My mind skipped over the "still" in your post. Apologies.

Yes, nothing will change at all.

are You afraid of moving forward.? Even your cjild will move out of your home when they reach a certain age, because they are tired of mummy and daddy shit.

Let me know when any one of these advocates stops speaking the English language. I might take their gripes a bit more seriously then.

Why change what works? Our Monarchy system with an impartial Governor-General, freely elected Parliament and impartial courts is sound and our democratic foundation. Investment comes into our country because of the stability of this system. We would become like all the other failed third world republics going down. Just look at the countries who abolished our Monarchy like Zimbabwe and many others. Now they are in a perilous state with mass unemployment, a dictatorial President and human rights abuses. I am very impressed with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. They took a great interest in all their activities here and the interaction with Bahamians was fabulous. A dynamic younger couple interested in helping the Commonwealth countries. Let us give them our support. Let us as Bahamians be proud of our history and heritage.

"Impartial" Governor General appointed by the political directorate who has no tenure and can be removed at will if the GG party is not in power? Really?

And what power does William have? All he said is dependent on his grandmother and father.

Why hold on to vestiges of the past and be governed by people who are miles away?

When will be stand up and be independent and develop ourselves?

Whatever the Anti-Colonialists may think, being apart of the Commonwealth and adhering to English Law have ensured that we are considered to be far more than a relatively insignificant population of 400,000 among the larger and more developed Nations of the World.

So very true!

How about fixing unemployment and violent crime instead of wasting time and energy on foolishness? Becoming a republic won't fix any of the problems in this country.

The consituational monarch works on the system that the police,army/navy, judiciary,Prison officers, parliament swears an oath of loyalty to the monarch, but "the monarch has no power"! In theory any of those institution has not any direct control over any of the others.
Well that's how it works here in the U.K.:)

However we in the U.K. have to pay thru nose via our taxes for the Monarchy,while I'm not a lover of the monarch ( It's too big and too expensive) the cost of a president and all the trimmings that come with that post, to the Bahamas will cost you more than a governor general and certainly more that what you pay for the monarch at present which is "nothing"
It must be remembered that your govener general is chosen by the Bahainan's elected representatives however his position by law is loyalty to the Monach not Parliament! :)

I was pleased to note an official and a pastor in ABACO gave praise to the Royal Navy ( Loyal to the Monach) being one of the first to assist after Dorian hit. I wonder if that can be debited against the reparations cost claimed by a certain section of the Bahamian society. :) :) :) :) :)

All the reforms that need to happen within our government can be done without changing to a new system. The Senate needs reforming and The Bahamas itself needs to federalize somewhat (more freedom from the grip of central government). These are the big things that need to change in our government. Changing head of state makes no sense other than just emotional gratification. You really want another elected Politian to mess around with? I mean the politicians we have had over the last 50 years sure have done a bang up job.

A didtator says, a republic issue is dead. Nothing is dead until it is dead. You can never say never. One man does not have absolute rule. .

The issue is basic adherence to the rule of law. no matter which set.
We however have yet to administer our rule of law and regulations properly, or have a political class who follows them either administratively or personally.
When we arrive at a decent level of behavior with our existing rules, we can chat.
A Prime example is the headlong rush by Ingraham starting in 1992 to pass laws to overcome our inability to observe and obey the existing laws. Problem is we selectively apply the old and new laws.
Seems we are the problem, not the system of governance.