@bahamianson, it’s hard to believe that you’re being serious, so I can only assume you’re being facetious. Surely, you don’t mean to suggest that a convicted felon is the model leader we should emulate. The real issue in governmental administration, especially in the United States - isn’t just potholes or power outages. It’s the alarming trend of electing individuals who have been convicted of crimes to lead a nation built on the rule of law.

What’s even more troubling is that we (Bahamians) have recently followed suit and elected individuals who haven’t been arrested or convicted, but we all know their hands are far from clean. The true crisis isn’t just ineffective governance; it’s the normalization of corruption, the willingness to turn a blind eye to blatant misconduct, and the disturbing reality that some, like yourself, would vote for a convicted criminal or use one as an example to glorify or advocate for as an example.

We don’t need a leader who isn’t “afraid of backlash”; we need a leader who isn’t afraid to be honest, ethical, and accountable - while holding Bahamian citizens and residents as a priority. That’s the standard we should demand—not one that excuses criminality under the guise of strength.

Birdiestrachan, as usual, your political idiocy reigns supreme.

The high cost of living in the Bahamas isn’t just about personal “choices” like steak vs. burgers; it's driven by real economic pressures, and the PLP’s role shouldn’t be downplayed. While the FNM did raise VAT, the current government has not eased the tax burden on Bahamians—if anything, it's added to it with increased fees and expenses to fund projects that often seem more aligned with political agendas than with relief for struggling citizens. They may have lowered VAT from 12% to 10%, but increased taxation in every other area, placing an additional burden on Bahamians.

Additionally, the PLP has made minimal efforts to address the root issues impacting our daily expenses. Our heavy reliance on imports makes us vulnerable to global inflation, supply chain issues, rising energy (Utilities), and Services costs—all factors the PLP could mitigate with strategic policies and resourceful spending, but prefer to line their coffers. So, we see resources allocated in ways that don’t seem to consider the immediate needs of the Bahamian people, like the jet-setting of the Prime Minister. Rather than holding citizens accountable for the cost of living, we need governance that prioritizes efficient spending and real solutions for economic relief, not garbage PLP operative propaganda from you.

@birdiestrachan, you've always been an idiot! Trust and believe, the dirty deeds of the past PLP and present PLP will come home to roost. Many believe that nothing will happen, and they are correct in doubting the integrity of PLP politicians, as they will undoubtedly do their best to cover up and conceal their transgressions. But the day of reckoning will come—it always does.

This article should leave a deep sense of outrage and disappointment, on every right-thinking and upstanding Bahamian. The revelations from the New York State Supreme Court ruling about the deliberate slowing down of work at Baha Mar by CCA, compounded by the admission of such actions in front of senior officials including the then-Prime Minister, are disturbing. The two individuals, closely linked to the government (one being an advisor to the then-Prime Minister), who were exposed in this ruling for their illegal actions/roles, are significant, But, it’s clear (to any critical-thinking person) that they are not the only ones involved in this “sham and shakedown” against Sarkis Izmirlian. I can only imagine how the subcontractors—those who worked tirelessly were extorted while being forced to fight for payments that were rightfully theirs.

It is truly a disgrace that our political leaders and their affiliates have operated with such impunity for so long. They have taken advantage of every opportunity to pillage without repercussions, demonstrating a staggering level of arrogance. To defraud an investor like Izmirlian, who had the nation's best interests at heart, reflects how deep corruption runs. This was not merely a case of mismanagement by the main contractor; it was an outright betrayal of trust by our Bahamian officials and brazen manipulation of a project that had the potential to positively transform the Bahamas, under its rightful developer.

The Baha Mar debacle stands as a testament to the lengths that some will go for personal gain, regardless of the consequences for our country or the many people directly impacted by their actions. We cannot continue to let this go unchallenged—our future depends on holding these individuals accountable, ALL of them.

@moncurcool, recklessness is what they're guilty of, from the onset of their governance - from Top to Bottom.

@ Dawes, the cost won't be $500 million, but I assure you it will be costly to the taxpayers, and the true cost will never be divulged because that is what we allow these individuals to get away with.

I pray that retribution lands a few of our former and present PLP politicians in the pits of legal hell. These politicians have been and continue to be the thorn in the side of Bahamians, as the working class is held accountable for their corrupt and deplorable behavior.

And many of them (politicians) pocketed boatloads of money, for their roles in the fleece. They should all pay!!!!

I totally agree with you 100%

The society we live in is one in which we have allowed politicians, their cronies, allies, and bedfellows to mistreat us on a daily basis. They have continually been untouchable, above reproach, and never adequately held accountable. The revolution that is required to address our political issue, must be championed with a broader view orientation...where the standard of our representation is not fraught with corruption and self-servitude from these politicians--we must overcome this tribal mentality (Bahamians must call a spade, a spade).

@birdiestrachan...what does "supposedly" being high on any intellectual scale, have to do with common sense and tangible reality. The cost of food is extraordinarily arduous...plain and simple (that fact is not political); however, your deflective diatribe is.

The "rich people" and "businesses" are able to purchase breadbasket items, without being concerned about where additional funds for other bills will be found.

You, a PLP propagandist calling out a FNM propagandist, is the proverbial "pot calling the kettle black". All of you are insensitive to the plight of the destitute in this country...as you are afforded appointments and other financial opportunities on the backs of the hardworking taxpaying Bahamians not in the political-clique.