And if SP reveals his or her real name, I call on you to do the same. You are no better than Fred Smith and the rest by comparing very tragic events in human history to the government's attempt to get illegal immigrants to finally do the right thing. So called Haitian Bahamians are saying very egregious things about the Bahamas and Bahamians. Where's your passionate response to that? Who are you calling out and attempting to hold accountable for that? If I recall correctly, you once described Fred Smith's offensive language as freedom of speech. So there you have it. SP is exercising his or her freedom of speech.

Just the perfect victims I see. I didn't read any mention of how they incite tensions with bogus claims like the government is running Auschwitz at the detention center; calling for revolts against the government; informing suspected illegals that immigration officers cannot arrest them; spreading lies about children being roughed up and deported; and all the other smokescreens they put up to resist what could be a peaceful and mutually beneficial documentation exercise.

Didn't he already spend terms in office in which time he could have done exactly as you described with regards to "Bahamianising" Haitians? Yet, he did as everybody else did. Nothing. In an article earlier this year, he said basically there is no way to properly monitor the borders of the country and that the Bahamas could not afford the technology needed to do so. This leaves deportation and regularization as options, but in the article he opposed documenting them, which is the first step in pursuing either of the aforementioned paths. I know you are trying appear deep, but your generalizations are as narrow minded as anybody else's. You cannot speak for the work ethic of all Bahamians or Haitians, and you cannot speak for Mr. Symonette. His track record on immigration speaks volumes.

What could he have learned since his retirement that would enable him to save the economy and cut crime, and by crime, I also mean the crime of illegal immigration?

Moxey is the only person who is actually being held accountable for his criminal actions. That does not absolve Hannah of his own actions. This man clearly has no remorse. He will find the money to rebuild if the government "re-engages" him? He should find the money regardless and he should be banned from working on any future government projects.

We need a full overview of how the new and old policies tie into one another, because while we react to the pieces information afforded us via the media, there is still a larger picture. As a standalone feature of immigration reform, it is hard to see how this is not a victory for people who want to turn this country into an anchor baby state. I understand categorizing these children for the purpose of attending school while their parents status is under review. However, if the belongers permit applies to children up to age 18, why is employment a consideration? If a child classified as a belonger comes of age while the parents are being vetted, he or she should then apply for citizenship. Applicants are not citizens, and they should not be able to work legally until their application has been approved. If no application is made between their 18th and 19th birthdays, they should be subject to deportation just as any other illegal immigrant.

In the spirit of negotiations, how about he tell Haitians to abandon their illegal trek to The Bahamas so that we can deal with the backlog?

I agree, but at the same time, the voting populace needs to be properly engaged and not vote for people based on personality and other factors that are irrelevant to the issues that matter. How a politician intends on addressing real and pertinent issues is key to holding them accountable. I believe that even the most sincere politician can be swayed away from their goals, when their voice is constantly silenced and they can easily see the benefit of being onboard with the politicians for profit crew.

I have always personally believed that we should implement taxes to improve and maintain infrastructure and to expand our social services capabilities. To propose this level of taxation, plus VAT, with no added benefits for the middle class is indeed sad. Even the people who are accustomed to using health and other services for free won't see the benefit since they are already accustomed to free or the bare minimum. My fear is that soon it will be more beneficial for a person to not work on the books for fear of having their wages "garnished" for services that they may never require.

The US system is currently as such, that if you are not rich, it is more beneficial to be officially poor than to be middle class. Perhaps we need a flat income tax of say 10% that is then proportionately allocated and added to the additional allocated resources of each ministry. This would mean that the government ministries are then tasked with the challenge of meeting their budgets, cutting wasteful spending, and otherwise being held accountable for any shortfalls. For the MOH, this may mean going after some for monies due and writing off others. There just has to be a better way.

For example, the Georgia lottery has funded the pre-k and post high school education for tens of thousands of students to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars per year. The program is so successful that they continue to expand the eligibility requirements for these scholarships so that they are more inclusive. People will continue to buy numbers whether the Christian Council likes or not. Why not make it beneficial for some in our community?