Rather than have to think too much for ourselves and overtax our brains, let us just agree that we will follow whatever the USA does, but with a 50 year lag. To the day. That seems appropriate and fitting. It would avoid all this internal argument where we just show the whole world how backward we are.

Then we could just program an algorithm and let it be Parliament, Cabinet and Prime Minister.

Think of all the money we will save. And all the pointless arguing the toss. Waste of breath.

A good first step. Will not change much, but it is a beginning. Scrap exchange controls and eventually let the B$ float against the US. Let's find out what we are worth.

What do you expect when no one has actually "earnt" a driving licence in decades? Bung the instructor and voila!

It will never get better. Just resign yourself to that fact and drive a tank. You will be hit, sooner or later. Just makes sure it's the other guy that dies, not you.

As always Banker has hit the nail on the head. For all those that cannot connect the economic dots, let me do it for you.

These "illegals" are employed by Bahamians, not Martians. They work for and create wealth for Bahamians. They are not self-employed.

Bahamians use them to service the local economy, with prices depending on your location. If in West, they charge them out as gardeners, plumbers, bricklayers, etc . at 3 times what they charge them out back East. Now they will be replaced by Filipinos, Peruvians, etc, who will be brought here totally legally, to work and reside West, work permits and all. Believe me, it is more than happening right now. People have bought small flats for their staff and are getting permits for thousands of them. Basically cutting out the Bahamian middle-man.

End result: the Bahamian who used to charge them out will have less money. The shops these illegals frequented will see a collapse in trade. The East will become even poorer. I don't see any economic gain for any Bahamians from this.

I do appreciate that illegal immigration is a serious problem and illegals must be dealt with. I wish someone could come up with a plan that is not going to hurt Bahamians economically, though.

It's a backhanded compliment. Your stuff is the best.

I do feel for the BDF (nothing Royal about them). It is difficult to spot a red and yellow sail on the horizon, going a full 3 knots, when you are pissed and smoking the latest seizure from Jamaica.

How dare this developer provide a better and cheaper service than the Bahamian Real Estate Association??!! Do they not realise that fleecing of foreigners is a God Given Right of Bahamian Realtors and that Moses himself brought down that Commandment, which was on the third tablet, which he accidentally dropped and broke, but is nonetheless the Word of God?!!

How are Bahamian Realtors supposed to make a modest seven figure annual income (OK, sometimes 8), tax free, if they cannot steal...pardon me, charge foreigners exorbitant fees to first purchase in these islands and then sell at whatever price just to get out of here and never return?

I should not be too worried about the Kellys.

If I were in their shoes, I would have been praying for this to happen. They have hit the jackpot.

Now they will sue, inflate all damages suffered, the turnover of the business, etc. and make out like bandits.

Whereby before they were dirt poor farmers hardly making enough to feed themselves, now the Courts will award them a few million dollars damages and they will be more than happy to never farm again. A bit like that Rolls Royce (aka 1994 Datsun) you had in your backyard and the Hurricane took.

If someone came to me with a $250,000 order, I would jump over backwards to finish some stupid paperwork to get it.

The problem with our civil servants is that they don't give a shit. They get paid regardless of the work they do (or mostly, don't do). Pay them by results and you will see how they can issue a work permit in 30 minutes, let alone 14 days.

I would just bypass the Immigration Ministry altogether. Make it an online service. Fill in the forms, press print, get your work permit. Never have to see the inside of one of those stinking buildings.

All you say is most probably true. However, setting up a separate process for these applications is also simplicity itself. I am sure you and I could design and implement it in a day. Inputs to separate MySQL database, file save, press P.

If we can all agree that letting these people get on with it (the sooner they do, the sooner they will employ some Bahamians) is slightly more important than processing maids and gardeners (nothing against maids and gardeners, talking about the greater good) then it really is not too much to ask to perform a task that takes about 2 minutes within 14 days.