A true Christmas gift to The Bahamas would be for Minnis to abdicate his throne.

Exactly right.
"Given its track record and the many unknowns, this Worst Case Scenario Ship could well represent a health and safety nightmare for The Bahamas. At the very least, the way this is playing out suggests a shocking abdication of responsibility and failure by our government to enforce the laws of the land, not to mention its own health and safety protocols."
As well as, the wholly irresponsible disregard for the recent science. Minnis should be held criminally liable for allowing this to happen under his watch. A science oriented man, as he claims he is, would not remain silent on such a clear scientific issue. Minnis is merely a politician. He cares for the political short term with no vision for The Bahamas' future. We have all failed this country, by allowing this to go forward.

Yes, definitely. But, the discussion should be on what. Health care, education and social services? Or, travel expenses for politicians wives, overblown pensions for politicians, buying hotels, and propping up failed institutions? We do too many political shenanigans in this country for people to take anything seriously. It is a pissing contest between mostly men, at the expense of looking out for, and working for, the good of The People. Remember them? The People.

Glad that you point out that oil is part of a new industry and fresh thinking.
What part of oil is fresh?

Agreed and understood. Can't be piecemeal.

Forget about the IMF. We already know who they are. We already know that they have the best interests of the money men at heart, not average people, or Bahamians. That does not mean that they do not have a point. However, it is incumbent upon us to use our own resources to utilize and tax for the benefit of this nation and, it"s people. Yes, the political class is a major part of the problem, but so too are those capable of seeing how unfair our tax system is, yet refuse to condemn it because it would have an impact, even slightly, on their own income potential. We, as a society, have encouraged this winner take all, and the all for me attitude. It is up to us to understand that we are enabling a system that will destroy the fabric of this nation. As usual, those with the money will flee to places more suitable to their liking. We need to charge much more to live in paradise. Presently, the richest have way too many benefits over the average Bahamian. Is it too much to ask for us to level the playing field?

I agree with Carey on the seabed and yachts. However, the high end properties need to be taxed more. We need to begin to shift the tax burden, our regressive tax burden, away from the poorest and working class and more to those who can afford it. Is this unreasonable? Of course not. The richest have seen their wealth grow and grow. Yet, they are opposed to seeing any increases in their taxes to own property in The Bahamas? Doesn't sound right to me, yet this is their ongoing argument. They don't mind seeing their earnings in the stock market grow by leaps and bounds, but god forbid that their taxes should be raised. That is why they spend large sums on accountants and lawyers, isn't it? To keep them from paying taxes. So, while I hear Mr. Carey's complaints, it should be clear that we need to move away from regressive taxation, towards more progressive taxation. Of course that conversation is far far behind the times, if only because our media only interviews the richest and those who work for the richest.
And, of course Foreign Direct Investment, which if analyzed, would be found to be wanting in actual contributions to Bahamian society. But, it sure helps the political class and the real estate brokers.
We need a more fair way of taxation to run this country. The current reliance on Customs Duty and Excise tax, 90% of tax revenue for this country, unquestionably places an unfair burden on those of us who can least afford it.

Should be "condemn" not commend, I hope.

"For strategic and diplomatic reasons unknown to the writer, the US government has tolerated Cuba’s dictators.
A Minnis dictatorship would be immediately crushed by the American military. I am not a water boy for this FNM administration."
Wow! Tolerated? Crushed?

"Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely" Lord Acton. This applies most everywhere.

The momentary "happiness" hides a deeper pain. Many may not be able to articulate their slavery, but they most certainly feel it. You've stated it well.