The common thought among many Bahamians is that the Bahamian Government, including the prime minister,are middle management of just mere puppets of external forces whose wishes and demands become priority once a government is elected. And the needs and wishes of the Bahamian people are negligible. So Branville staying the course and getting elected will not change anything. He may be less compromised than one or two of the former prime ministers or even the current one. And there’s great concern that governments revenue vis a vis increased taxes has tripled in five years with no corresponding improvement in the standard of living or reductions in the country’s debt. So they continue to ask ‘ where is the money going?’ , or ‘who t’ief it?’ And , despite his credentials or acclamations, the right question is can he find a team of qualified candidates, ones who will stay the course and not lose their way, or can he play an effective one man band like Hubert Ingraham. One opinion is real change in The Bahamas, and more particularly The Bahamian Government will come when qualified, Bahamians with education and experience and Nuevo wealth start returning home ‘en masse’ and can stand up against the old guard and other forces and garner a new and uncompromising and effective government. The must take control of the country’s natural resources. Protect its boarders against illegal immigrants and poaching and ensure that the country’s wealth does not continue to be frittered away or traded unequivocally for debt.

‘Yes, maybe just wait until it’s closer to Election. Then raise the minimum wage to the ceiling. Voter will be happy. Politicians will get elected and businesses will raise their prices, lay off workers or close their doors. One big happy country... NOT!

Well one more left to cross the floor ( the other has resorted to some serious boot licking and arse licking. (He is young and apparently has been threatened to be thrown to the wolves if he doesn’t straighten up and tow the party line). Bye, yes, Vaughn Miller stepping out the FNM fold Just weeks after Reece Chipman did, shows democracy is still alive. And so now the scale is now tipped 6 to 32. Seven to 31 will be an even greater experience as government will now at least feel some stronger opposition in debates. And it is also a warning light to the FNM government that voters are also crossing party lines for various reasons and they may need to get use to working with smaller numbers of MP’s after 2022. Doubtful that the scales have tipped so much that the FNM will be kicked out of office in 2022, but there is a lot of house cleaning and brass to be polished before Elections. And that goes to the PLP as well. The wounds from their last five years have not yet healed with the Bahamian people. And remember those who slipped through the FNM’s dragnet only got away because of a loose net and not because they were even slightly innocent. Even the regular Bahamian on the street understands the consequences of voting the PLP back in office in the upcoming elections.

Well, another shot has been fired across the bow of the FNM political ship, and another hand has jumped off the deck and overboard, even as the waters are treacherous, both politically and economically. And one must ask;

"Was all the talk about a minimum wage increase a mere distraction or an attempt to garner support for the embattled prime minister?'
And Vaughn Miller's decision to quit at this time? Does this give him to reconcile with the FNM before elections or negotiate with other parties to join forces?

Whilst the FNM government may be far from being toppled, it is clear that it is losing support and will have to fight hard over the next 21/2 years to prove that it is, indeed, the people's time and that the FNM deserves another five years. In any event, there will be casualties and on numerous occasions, the FNM will be called out and whipped for decisions and policies that did not sit well with the Bahamian people.

And, of course, no one expected the vote of no confidence in the prime minister to carry but it did reveal some loose threads the FNM fabric, despite an effort to put on a unified face, some members had to do so by not representing the clear wishes of their constituents. The support for Minnis cannot be likened to putting lipstick on a pig, because most will have to admit that The Minnis Administration has been hard-working, and among other accomplishments was able to slow, if not stop the severe hemorrhaging of public funds. The cake of this administrarion's five year term in office is already half baked. And will it rise to become a cake that can be decorated in the FNM's colors in 2022 with a slogan that says, Its really the people's time, this time'

According to one source who lived in The Mud, the Haitian communities were not as tight knit or as intimate as some people think. Persons lived there mostly for economic reasons. And many knew others only by face or first name. So the question was asked, ‘So how would you know if someone is missing or got killed in the hurricane?’ The response was, ‘Ainn no way to know for sure, unless their body is recovered.” But if we go back to Abaco and don’t see them, we have to assume hurricane take them.’ That conversation was in mid September.

Let me help him... who is Marlon Johnson?

The problem with Zhivago Liang is he is the biggest obstruction to the truth getting to the Bahamian people about the WTO. When he discusses the matter on his talk show, he clearly edits his comments. And if a caller brings up a point he disagrees with or doesn’t want his listeners to hear the response would be ‘O I wasn’t aware of that’ or ‘This is the WTO we talking about now’. Then it would be followed by a quick OK, thank you caller. But the fact is a lot of things Zhivargo Liang disputes in public forums about the WTO, he comes back and recants ain a softer, less public setting. So he is the one creating the confusion about the WTO. Persons on social media has as much right to express their feelings and opinions as Zhivago Liang does. And because he is failing miserably to sell WTO to the Bahamian People, he is looking for a scapegoat, yes he is.

Does Minnis and Marvin Dames realize what they are doing to the rest of the armed forces when they treat long serving and decorated officers in this fashion? Many officers who are close to retirement are now planning their exit from the forces, if only to avoid a similar fate of emasculation, humiliation and public embarrassment. At a crucial time when the country is in a crisis and the forces are stretched for manpower. May God look down from heaven on this grave injustice!

The mere fact that the chairman of the party raised these concerns confirms there is dissent in the party. And you you may tow the party line and support your leader. But if you are not loyal to your constituents, who elected you, and getting their concerns heard and taken care of, you are an infidel and a traitor of the Bahamian people and your judgement will come in Election 2022 without mixture.

Basically government is telling workers their wages should be based strictly on their needs and not what contributions they make to their employers. So the employees can drive a BMW whilst the employers drive a bubbler.