No question there needs to be a raise in minimum wage, but the timing, as always, is all wrong. The economy is not good, the so-called 10,000 jobs hasn't materialised, people are already burdened by VAT and a proposed NHI tax. Many businesses, especially small businesses, are just hanging in there. While they may be forced to pay more wages in such an economy, the people will still have a large amount stripped from their pockets before the paycheck even makes it home. And jobs will be lost when the businesses pack up and leave or have to close because they just can't make it anymore. It will be a vicious circle all over again -- and the only one getting benefit will be the government -- not the people and not business.

If the PLP and the Bahamas Police force cannot get a handle on crime, we need to bring in police from elsewhere. This way, they have no partisan sympathies and just get the job done. Ain't going to be no more my sister's uncle's cousin can fix that bail or that ticket for you. You screw up, you go to jail. Oh, and no bail.

And if the PLP wants a nice construction project that could create a few jobs -- how about a new prison to keep all these criminals in? One that doesn't have a revolving door.

Forget the eggshells approach here -- we need a bull in the china shop!

Figureheads??? In that case, why the hell are they even there? Last I looked "figureheads" didn't get salaries, so I'm guessing they are doing this for love of country and we Bahamian people? How damn stupid do they think we are??????????

Accountability is not a word this government understands. Pass the buck yet again.

General crazy/FNM Retards -- you think you're pretty smart trying to copy my name by just adding an "S". At least you got that part right in school -- putting an S at the end of something to make it plural. Yay!

In case you missed it, where did I have anything to say about the FNM? The PLP is in power now and they have run this country into the ground. We, the Bahamian people, cannot afford any more of this corrupt government.

FYI, I don't necessarily vote FNM or DNA, and definitely never the PLP, but rather for who I think will do the best job -- be they black, white, pink, or some damn colour in-between. Frankly, I don't see any new leadership so far, but I do know one thing, the PLP has to go!!!

To Mr. Mitchell and the rest of the delusional PLP clowns -- two words: Hell, NO!

This country cannot survive another term of PLP incompetence, theft, greed, disillusionment, and lies.

Oh great, more good news! Yet Fred Mitchell wants raises for foreign services staff.

Why does this department seem to just keep getting worse, in spite of all the budget increases? Maybe Fred Mitchell stay home and fix things here before he goes travelling again....just a thought.

TheMadHatter, that makes no sense! What does an independent national park, funded largely by corporate and private donors have to do with the Government's latest budget?? I doubt these vandals are capable of thinking logically in any case -- more products of our failed education system.

Retarded General Crazy, your intelligence (or lack thereof) never ceases to amaze me. So, just to confirm, you are happy to donate your hard-earned money to the government so they can use your money to pay for other people's medical expenses? I certainly don't want to share my hard-earned money with those who can't make good choices.

I pay my own private medical insurance, and though I know they are not warm and fuzzy, they have always covered things I've needed -- in some cases, above and beyond what I expected, so I have no beef with them.

Providing medical services to those who cannot afford insurance is one thing, but taking away my ability (and right) to choose my own medical insurance by forcing me to participate in socialised medicine as NHI promises, is another thing entirely.

This is vandalism pure and simple, but if left unchecked, these vandals will get bolder. Next "prank" will be breaking into houses and car-jackings. This needs to be stopped. Now.

That one of the things spray-painted read "F.... your park" tells me this is personal. "Your" instead of "the" says this is someone who is already known to the park. Perhaps previous issues, perhaps someone who was asked to leave the park, or similar. While I know there are more serious issues for the police to contend with, this cannot be allowed to stand. This will only be the beginning of more vandalism and escalate from there.

It's such a shame that for so many of us who work hard to make these protected places and try to keep a little beauty around us though national parks or even making our own gardens and homes looks nice, that there are those who have so little respect for themselves and others to see what damage they do by their wanton acts.

These little punks need to be caught and sentenced to 1000 hours of community service. Only then might they understand the value of hard work and take pride in their surroundings.

Dear Mr. Miller,

I happen to like my insurance company -- they have been very good to me over the years and I plan to continue with them. My biggest fear is that this government of idiots, of which you, Mr. Miller, are part of and responsible for, will not allow me to keep my insurance policy.

Yes, I pay good money for my policy and that is my choice. I have the flexibility to see the doctors I want and am happy with my health insurance company. What I am not willing to do is to pay for someone else's insurance at a detriment to my own health and pocketbook. Let people pay for their own insurance -- and if they can't afford it, then deal with it as a uninsured person case. Why should I give up my hard earned money to pay for someone else's inability to make good choices for themselves. Socialism has never worked, so why try to implement it in the Bahamas?