Ok Warrior,
You say, "And let’s not pretend public funding would magically fix this system. The cronyism will continue. The political favours will persist. And the elite will still protect their own. The entire structure needs radical change—not just campaign financing."
What does "radical" mean to you?
Are we capable of a radical change? Any one of us?
Best bet, bring in foreigners to administrate the nation.
We've already admitted that the cronyism and corruption run too deep.
Have we lost our imagination for what is required for a decent country?
Are we all part of the problem now?
We have gotten to where we are, despite the system we have, or because of it?
See, the problem we really have is that we call ourselves Christians, but no few Christian values.
Accepting, even cheer leading for Capitalism also helps destroy any notion of Christian values and democratic mores.
I know we have a long way to go.
The truth tellers will always be the first to get crucified. Always.

On the contrary good people, I would maintain that all political parties should be 100% publicly funded.
Anyone, or any entity, giving any politician ANY money at all would be subject to life in prison.
While I agree with the present distaste for doing anything to encourage the present group of gangsters who are undoubtedly destroying The Bahamas, I find the current way of campaign finance to be part and parcel of the degradation of supposed leadership in this country.
I believe, that we need a complete and radical revolution of values which will turn this country around. Nipping at the edges just won't do.
We saw what happened in the US with the Citizen United case as ruled on by their Supreme Court. The ruling class was entirely captured by the billionaire class.
Is this where we are heading here? Read the recent Tribune articles, hint, hint.
From my point of view, there should be NO private money in politics. Nobody gives money to a political party without expecting something in return.
We still have in this country, political operatives who hand out cash to voters near the voting stations. Does this help our beloved Bahamas?
We need to change the whole flipping system. And, get rid of the entire present political class.
Are they are not pulling these treasonous shenanigans right in front of our face?
Sorry to disagree, but until we have fully funded public political campaigns we will continue to get the crap for leadership similar to that currently in place.
We concurrently need a more informed populace and greater incentives for our youth to stay home.
The present political apparatus is poisoning this country from top to bottom. Not only are they mismanaging our financial, natural, and human resources, they are making it impossible for our kids who go off and get educated to come home to a level playing field.
We have for a few generations now, continued to hire people for our government jobs according to WHO they know and are related to, rather than to hire people who are educated, qualified, competent, honest and hard working.
Do we not think this has also contributed to the continued degradation of our social fabric? The daily murders, the epidemic of NCD diseases, increasing crime, collapsing infrastructure, rising inflation, low wages.....
Does anyone really see things getting better anytime soon?
And, we still don't see that just as the bible says, the love of money is at the root of all evil?
Keep letting the millionaires and the billionaires have a say in politics and you are expecting a change?
LOL

Mr. Laroda says, "Other countries in the Caribbean want to get into this market, but we believe that our product is always superior and we have proximity. But, again, when talking about North Americans and Canadians, they tend to not purchase Caribbean spiny lobster and go for the Maine cold lobster because of cost.”

Is it just because of cost?
Have you ever sat down at a picnic table at a Maine lobster pound, and tried their lobster fresh from the tank to the pot?
Is it just about price?
No difference in taste, hey?
We need to get out and about a bit more.

Mr. Mitchell says "those volunteers will be trained to run voting stations, monitor the electoral process, and ensure legal compliance."
Let me get this straight.
The PLP will train volunteers, chosen by them, to ensure legal compliance.
That made my day. I hope I can stop laughing by lunchtime.
Can The Bahamas survive another year of the PLP?

Does anyone really think we need to worry about China, or the US, or Haiti, taking this country down?
We are doing such a wonderful job destroying our own nation, we certainly don't need any help.
Is this story serious?
Is there a better way of chasing tourists away?
My God, with this, the boating license fees, cruising permits fiasco, one wonders if ANY of these offices, Customs, Department of Inland Revenue, have anyone professional and educated in their ranks.
How could a Customs officer NOT know the correct fees?
Beyond comprehension. But, we did get an apology. As we always do.
Is this not a disaster?
Does anyone in the Bahamian government have an ounce of business sense?
The Bahamas produces virtually nothing. Our productivity level is deplorable.
Our infrastructure is failing. How do you put a good spin on such rank national incompetence? Seriously.
Only by the grace of God does this country still exist, at all.
Clearly, by any account, we have NO leadership in The Bahamas.
We have a bunch of clowns. Jokey Leaders. Nothing more.

You Mr. Bhatti, and your company BTC have no credibility in The Bahamas.

Hey Mr. Bhatti,
You are 10 years too late.
Your company has failed for well over a decade to recognize what you just said.
You were too focused on cutting staff, cutting operating hours, and not investing in the future.
Now, you want to tell us that the internet is important.
Please Mr. Bhatti, stay quiet with your nonsense.
BTC will be out of business soon.
It was all about the deal.
You are just a pawn in the game.
Your company has screwed The Bahamas.
Take your salary for spouting bullshite.
BTC is a relic of the past.
All the useless politicians in The Bahamas who went along with this deal, and to those who made millions on this deal, are true turncoats.
Did you smile when the deal was signed, knowing you screwed your country?

All true!

Hey John, one does not have to hate a man to say he deserves NO place in civil society.
And, nothing is too late.
If The Bahamian leaders, all of a sudden grew balls and had even a minimal sense of decency, than the laws could be changed such that ALL proceeds from gambling went to worthy social causes.
Maybe then they wouldn't be borrowing hundreds of millions of dollars each year, sinking this country for our children.
Think John, think.

So birdie,
Since we are all sinners, we should all just shut up?
This is not the Christian message, nor Jesus' example.
This is the danger of letting people who have trouble reading and writing getting involved in deciphering written texts.
They always misinterpret the true message to fit their own life styles.
Perhaps those who spoke out against the slavers, those who prevented women from voting, and those who like to abuse underage kids should remain out of the public scorn because we are all just sinners who don't have the right to speak up.
That is stupid and foolish talk that has helped The Bahamas occupy such a low level of true Christianity.
There is a difference between superstition and Christian belief.
Sad you can't see the difference.
.