Ok so maybe the Bahamian people's expectations were just too high. Maybe they didn't expect that crime would still be this bad with over 100 Young Bahamian men getting executed every year. Over 500 have been slaughtered since you and your government came to office and possibly another 55 will lose their lives before the next election. Maybe they didn't expect the country's financial ratings to be downgraded FOUR times! Maybe they didn't expect Bah Mar to be open by now, and maybe it is too much to expect to get a job and earn a decent, honest living. Maybe there is nothing wrong with so many local businesses closing down and the cost of living beyond the reach of many. Yes you did a good job as prime minister. Just that the people you served had too many high expectations. And they were selfish and ungrateful. That's why you want another term right?
The voter apathy is more than just crime shock. Persons are just disillusioned and feel a sense of hopelessness. Not just happening here but around the world. Young people, many of them who will be voting for the first time, are not sure of how the system operates. If they are unemployed they see no reason to vote. Hopefully one day drivers education will become a part of the 12th grade curriculum. Then applications to register will be filled out by every student who is over 17 and graduating. Those who are 18 will have their applications filed to be registered and those 17 will have their applications filed on their 18 birthday. That way every high school leaver/graduate will be registered to vote within one year after leaving school and they will have drivers education even if they do not pass the test to get a drivers license.
Yes we must commend the commissioner and the police and everyone else involved that there was a reduction. The country did not get to this point overnight and it will take time to clean it up. It will take more patience and more effort from everyone. Even the need to go out and warn youn men against becoming involved in crime and gangs and illegal drugs. And of course let them know the possibilities of having their life cut short.
It is true that after a high of 147 murders last year the real reduction is just 10% reduction of the annual average murders. Up until October this country had the possibility of keeping the murder rate under 90 murders which would have been 35% below the average and 45% below the 2015 figure. But apparently gang warfare broke in October and youn men started dropping like flies. Obviously many were killed because they were associated with one gang or another or with a faction of the gang that is at war with itself. Many of them took no effort to protect because they didn't suspect they were a target. And halfway into January and with 6 murders recorded the police still haven't figured how to stop this wholesale killing.
The truth is half of the killings since October are members of one gang in this country. This gang is splintered and members of each faction are killing members from other factions. Many of these young men are not involved in the beef and take no measures to protect themselves because they are not sweet they are a target and will be gunned down. There is a lot the police can do to stop the carnage that they are not doing. They know who the various leaders of this gang are. Public service announcements and visits to various schools to warn young men against joint gangs and letting them know what the consequences will be. Right now there are warnings posted internationally telling people not to come to the Bahamas, "because a cartel is involved in killing all the young men in the Bahamas." How sad after a decade and over a thousand killings the country and especially the police cannot seem to be able to get a grip and stop the murders.
SP Haitians are not breeding like rats so stop with the degradation and ignorance. Haitians here have two or three children to establish right of claim. If they are deported they use the children to get back here when the children become adults. But many Haitians are trying to get to the US and no longer want to stay in the Bahamas. Life is too hard and because of crime they feel unsafe. So many try to get to Miami. Father goes first then sends for wife and kids.
Donald Trump is inheriting an economy with 4.7% unemployment. By most economic standards that is considered full employment. Our unemployment is still double digits and can be as high as 15%. While Barak Obama turned the US economy around and restored consumer confidence, he did not release the stranglehold government had on small businesses and allow them to flourish. This government sank the economy deeper into recession and the country into more debt. They made it more difficult and more impossible for local businesses to operate. Donald Trump has promised more tax breaks for small and medium businesses and for businesses that keep or bring their operations in the US. This promise has already stimulated new business and more growth and the US economy continues to strengthen. Our government seems to want to increase their stranglehold on local businesses. There is little or no consumer confidence and persons with money are shopping online or abroad. Many anticipate that if this government wins again a new battery of taxes will be leveled on local businesses and residents. Only necessary becayof corruption and mismanagement of the economy.
One would really want to know who is really behind the assault on local businesses with increasing taxes, more reporting requirements and disappearing profits. When the tax demands or reporting requirements become too great or too burdensome, more and more businesses will become less compliant or close their doors. And because of the penalties (and interest) associated with it, many businesses that fall behind may never be able to catchh up and so will have no choice but to close. When you see owners of flourishing businesses, like Super Value, complaining it is beyond time for the government to ease up the pressure on local businesses. I think Mr. Roberts concern is not so much on slipping sales as it is with disappearing profits. Since the implementation of VAT and the pressure to pay more property taxes many businesses cannot find a break even point for their operations. Of course whenever their raise their prices, they also increase the amount of VAT they have to pay to the government as well as the business license fees. With less than 6 months left in their term, how can the government explain its declining financial position, its continued pressure on local businesses and it's continuation to give foreign businesses a 'by' on most of the taxes the local businesses are expected to pay. It claimed that the former government left the country in financial shambles. After 4 financial downgrades where are they leaving the country and its people?
John says...
Ok so maybe the Bahamian people's expectations were just too high. Maybe they didn't expect that crime would still be this bad with over 100 Young Bahamian men getting executed every year. Over 500 have been slaughtered since you and your government came to office and possibly another 55 will lose their lives before the next election. Maybe they didn't expect the country's financial ratings to be downgraded FOUR times! Maybe they didn't expect Bah Mar to be open by now, and maybe it is too much to expect to get a job and earn a decent, honest living. Maybe there is nothing wrong with so many local businesses closing down and the cost of living beyond the reach of many. Yes you did a good job as prime minister. Just that the people you served had too many high expectations. And they were selfish and ungrateful. That's why you want another term right?
On PM says his govt has done an outstanding job for Bahamians
Posted 13 January 2017, 10:15 a.m. Suggest removal
John says...
The voter apathy is more than just crime shock. Persons are just disillusioned and feel a sense of hopelessness. Not just happening here but around the world. Young people, many of them who will be voting for the first time, are not sure of how the system operates. If they are unemployed they see no reason to vote. Hopefully one day drivers education will become a part of the 12th grade curriculum. Then applications to register will be filled out by every student who is over 17 and graduating. Those who are 18 will have their applications filed to be registered and those 17 will have their applications filed on their 18 birthday. That way every high school leaver/graduate will be registered to vote within one year after leaving school and they will have drivers education even if they do not pass the test to get a drivers license.
On Serious crime down by 26%
Posted 12 January 2017, 7:17 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
Yes we must commend the commissioner and the police and everyone else involved that there was a reduction. The country did not get to this point overnight and it will take time to clean it up. It will take more patience and more effort from everyone. Even the need to go out and warn youn men against becoming involved in crime and gangs and illegal drugs. And of course let them know the possibilities of having their life cut short.
On Serious crime down by 26%
Posted 12 January 2017, 4:46 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
It is true that after a high of 147 murders last year the real reduction is just 10% reduction of the annual average murders. Up until October this country had the possibility of keeping the murder rate under 90 murders which would have been 35% below the average and 45% below the 2015 figure. But apparently gang warfare broke in October and youn men started dropping like flies. Obviously many were killed because they were associated with one gang or another or with a faction of the gang that is at war with itself. Many of them took no effort to protect because they didn't suspect they were a target. And halfway into January and with 6 murders recorded the police still haven't figured how to stop this wholesale killing.
On Serious crime down by 26%
Posted 12 January 2017, 4:11 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
Joining not joking. Autocorrect is a trip
On Bailed Kemp Road man found shot dead in the street
Posted 12 January 2017, 6:57 a.m. Suggest removal
John says...
*aware not 'sweet' and joking gangs not 'joint.'
On Bailed Kemp Road man found shot dead in the street
Posted 12 January 2017, 6:55 a.m. Suggest removal
John says...
The truth is half of the killings since October are members of one gang in this country. This gang is splintered and members of each faction are killing members from other factions. Many of these young men are not involved in the beef and take no measures to protect themselves because they are not sweet they are a target and will be gunned down. There is a lot the police can do to stop the carnage that they are not doing. They know who the various leaders of this gang are. Public service announcements and visits to various schools to warn young men against joint gangs and letting them know what the consequences will be. Right now there are warnings posted internationally telling people not to come to the Bahamas, "because a cartel is involved in killing all the young men in the Bahamas." How sad after a decade and over a thousand killings the country and especially the police cannot seem to be able to get a grip and stop the murders.
On Bailed Kemp Road man found shot dead in the street
Posted 12 January 2017, 6:52 a.m. Suggest removal
John says...
SP Haitians are not breeding like rats so stop with the degradation and ignorance. Haitians here have two or three children to establish right of claim. If they are deported they use the children to get back here when the children become adults. But many Haitians are trying to get to the US and no longer want to stay in the Bahamas. Life is too hard and because of crime they feel unsafe. So many try to get to Miami. Father goes first then sends for wife and kids.
On 'Black people breed too much' says Anglican Archdeacon
Posted 11 January 2017, 10:46 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
Donald Trump is inheriting an economy with 4.7% unemployment. By most economic standards that is considered full employment. Our unemployment is still double digits and can be as high as 15%. While Barak Obama turned the US economy around and restored consumer confidence, he did not release the stranglehold government had on small businesses and allow them to flourish. This government sank the economy deeper into recession and the country into more debt. They made it more difficult and more impossible for local businesses to operate. Donald Trump has promised more tax breaks for small and medium businesses and for businesses that keep or bring their operations in the US. This promise has already stimulated new business and more growth and the US economy continues to strengthen. Our government seems to want to increase their stranglehold on local businesses. There is little or no consumer confidence and persons with money are shopping online or abroad. Many anticipate that if this government wins again a new battery of taxes will be leveled on local businesses and residents. Only necessary becayof corruption and mismanagement of the economy.
On Private sector ‘anxiety’ rising over five-fold property tax increases
Posted 11 January 2017, 10:03 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
One would really want to know who is really behind the assault on local businesses with increasing taxes, more reporting requirements and disappearing profits. When the tax demands or reporting requirements become too great or too burdensome, more and more businesses will become less compliant or close their doors. And because of the penalties (and interest) associated with it, many businesses that fall behind may never be able to catchh up and so will have no choice but to close. When you see owners of flourishing businesses, like Super Value, complaining it is beyond time for the government to ease up the pressure on local businesses. I think Mr. Roberts concern is not so much on slipping sales as it is with disappearing profits. Since the implementation of VAT and the pressure to pay more property taxes many businesses cannot find a break even point for their operations. Of course whenever their raise their prices, they also increase the amount of VAT they have to pay to the government as well as the business license fees. With less than 6 months left in their term, how can the government explain its declining financial position, its continued pressure on local businesses and it's continuation to give foreign businesses a 'by' on most of the taxes the local businesses are expected to pay. It claimed that the former government left the country in financial shambles. After 4 financial downgrades where are they leaving the country and its people?
On Private sector ‘anxiety’ rising over five-fold property tax increases
Posted 11 January 2017, 6:20 p.m. Suggest removal