"I strongly believe that marriage should be a union of mutual love, respect, and trust. If the marriage reaches a point where one person feels that sexual intercourse is tantamount to rape, then it is a clear indication that the marriage has failed. As a man, the thought of being accused of marital rape is terrifying and would significantly affect my emotional, financial, and legal well-being.

Mr Moss's suggestion to rename marital rape as something else under the law and categorize the various offences with corresponding consequences ranging from mandatory counselling to life imprisonment is a step in the right direction.

In situations with a risk of marital rape, a 'quick, easy divorce' may be the best option for many men to ensure their safety and well-being. Alternatively, men should be allowed to take on a second wife if the consideration of "legal, financial, and emotional implications" becomes an issue.

Ultimately, it is up to individuals to make the best decision for their safety and well-being in such situations. Therefore, I support an easy exit from marriage rather than being constantly afraid of being accused of marital rape."

> A married man would have to think
> twice about initiating any kind of act
> that would be defined as sexual
> intercourse with his wife, should the
> definition change.”

> Mr Moss suggested if rape in the case of married persons is called something
> else under the law to specify the
> violence and other factors displayed
> during the act, consequences of the
> various offences could range from
> mandatory counselling to life
> imprisonment.

For many men, divorce may be the best option in situations with a risk of marital rape. It is ultimately up to each individual (both the man and the woman) to make the best decision for their safety and well-being in such situations. I would support an 'easy exit' from marriage than not knowing when the knife of 'marital rape' will be dropped on my head.

Again, alternatively, allowing men to take on a second wife may be a consideration if divorce's "legal, financial, and emotional implications" become a significant issue; there has to be a balance.

It is unacceptable that our young people have to endure abuse at home (in many cases) and then face further abuse at school in the form of corporal punishment. This can create significant psychological problems for students and hinder their ability to learn.

I applaud Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin for her stance against violence in any form, including corporal punishment, and her willingness to review the protocols around discipline in schools. The Ministry of Education must take swift action to ensure that students are safe and protected from harm while at school.

However, addressing the issue of corporal punishment is only one aspect of creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. A 'healthy-hot' school breakfast and lunch program can help alleviate some of the stress faced by students dealing with challenges at home who may struggle with hunger and malnutrition. By providing students with 'healthy-hot' meals, schools can support their physical and mental well-being, enabling them to focus on their education and reach their full potential.

I urge the Ministry of Education to prioritize the implementation of a 'healthy-hot' school breakfast and lunch program to support the most vulnerable students in our communities.

> Every child deserves the chance to
> learn and thrive in a safe, nurturing
> environment free from abuse (from
> poorly trained), police officers and
> hunger.

While it's true that the United States is a major provider of healthcare, food, and retail items in The Bahamas (this would not be something I would be proud to say), we must not forget that our heavy reliance on imports has resulted in a significant trade deficit and a dependency-based economy. In the 2022 third quarter, The Bahamas' trade deficit increased by $82.37 million or 10.3 percent year-over-year due to the spike in goods imports, which exceeded $1 billion for the period. Food imports alone represent over 50 percent of our import costs.

Instead of relying solely on foreign imports, we should prioritize developing a manufacturing-based economy that can create jobs and reduce our dependency on imports. While the United States is an important partner, we should not view them as our sole provider but rather as a potential partner in achieving economic growth and sustainability. Let's work together towards a more self-sufficient Bahamas.

Stay where you are, don't move. When I am ready for you, I will call, ok.

I understand that the responsibility for building and maintaining infrastructure ultimately falls on the Bahamian government. However, my point is that the United States has a long-standing relationship with The Bahamas and should prioritize supporting the Bahamian people by offering more substantial aid that directly benefits them. This is not about shirking responsibility but rather about strengthening a partnership and promoting the well-being of a friendly country.

Moreover, the United States and China are currently competing for influence in the region, and China has been able to gain favor with many countries by offering substantial support in the form of schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. If the United States wants to remain a key player in the region and compete with China's strong foreign policy efforts, it needs to step up and offer more substantial support to its allies, including The Bahamas.

It's time for the United States to invest in the long-standing relationship with The Bahamas and demonstrate that it sees The Bahamas as an equal partner, not just a strategic pawn. The Bahamian people deserve more than just small gifts; they deserve substantial support that directly benefits them.

It's time for the United States to start viewing The Bahamas as an equal partner, not a lesser-developed country that only deserves small gifts. While the recent donation of generators and reverse osmosis systems is appreciated, it pales compared to China's substantial support and investment in its friendly countries, such as building modern schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. The U.S. should consider prioritizing the long-standing relationship with The Bahamas and offer more substantial aid that directly benefits Bahamians rather than just strategic interests.

The United States and The Bahamas have had a long-standing relationship dating back to the colonial period. The two countries have cooperated on various issues, including economic development, security, and disaster relief. The United States also views The Bahamas as a key ally in the Caribbean region and a partner in promoting regional stability and security. Therefore, the relationship between the United States and The Bahamas is multifaceted and cannot be reduced to solely strategic interests.

> "It's time for the United States to
> step up and offer more substantial
> support to The Bahamas if they want to
> compete with China's strong regional
> foreign policy efforts. Let's move
> beyond 'little gifts of dolls' and
> invest in building schools, hospitals,
> and infrastructure that will truly
> benefit the Bahamian people."

The Bahamian culture of excluding locals from the economic model has contributed to the country's current shortage of hotel rooms. This shortsightedness can be traced back to the government's neglect of the guesthouse industry, which was a proven way to stimulate economic growth and allow locals to share in the profits of the tourism industry.

In the past, our grandparents and great-grandparents had guesthouses designed into their existing homes, which allowed them to host tourists and earn income. However, after the so-called "period of deliverance" following the quiet revolution, which prioritized foreigners over the economic success of Bahamians, times became tough, and many local tourist-related Bahamian businesses saw an immediate death. The government began to focus on attracting large resort hotels instead of supporting the guesthouse industry, which led to the exclusion of many Bahamians from the tourism industry.

This shortsightedness has had long-lasting effects on the Bahamian economy. The country now faces a shortage of hotel rooms, making it difficult to accommodate the growing number of tourists visiting each year. This shortage has resulted in higher tourist prices and limited opportunities for Bahamians to enter the tourism industry.

To address this issue, the government should consider investing in the guesthouse industry and other forms of small-scale tourism that allow locals to participate in the industry. This could involve providing funding and training to help people convert their homes into guesthouses and promote alternative forms of tourism, such as eco-tourism and cultural tourism. By supporting these initiatives, the government can help create more opportunities for Bahamians in the tourism industry and ensure that the benefits of tourism are more evenly distributed throughout the country.

> However, we are in a period where
> being a Bahamian is of little value to
> the country and Bahamians are not factored into
> the economic model due to the biases
> and disregard for anything 'Bahamian.'

As we read the recent news about the government's approval of Royal Caribbean's $110m Paradise Island beach club project, we can't help but feel that the interests of Bahamians are once again being overlooked. Environmental activist Joseph Darville's concern about the islands and cays of The Bahamas being constantly sold to foreign companies is not unwarranted.

> The truth is Bahamians are seen as
> cheap, poorly educated labourers who
> suffer exploitation in silence.

Consecutive governments have prioritized the empowerment of foreigners, clicks, and fraternity over the needs and desires of their own people. Bahamians are not factored into any economic models, and the consequences of this are dire. They are caught in a cycle of "pay and tax slavery" and are forced to remain silent by the need to survive. It is time for this to change. We must prioritize Bahamians' interests and well-being over foreign entities' interests.

> To move forward, Minnis must
> acknowledge his failure and recognize
> that politics may not be his forte.
> His style of administering the Bahamas
> government during his short one-term
> as Prime Minister has caused
> significant damage to the years of
> hard work and progress made by the
> FNM. As a result, the country's
> leadership was handed over to the PLP
> in the last general elections, led by
> a questionable individual such as
> Brave Davis. If Minnis and others from
> his failed administration persist in
> trying to represent the FNM,
> alternative options may emerge for the
> people of the Bahamas. It is crucial
> for the party to consider new
> leadership and strategies to regain
> the trust of the Bahamian people.

> "Expulsis Piratis – Restituta
> Commercia", "With the pirates driven
> out, trade has been restored.", never,
> they only switched sides and changed
> their clothes.