Hey Simon,

You say, "While voters are amused by the hubris and sometimes stupidity of our leaders, while reveling in their eventual fall from power, it is these very same voters and the country that pays the ultimate price for the delusions of political power."

Perhaps, but ultimately, once armed with this same knowledge, we would treat these politicians in the same way we treat those high on narcotics.
If we mind Lord Acton's observation that "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely.", we would couch understanding of politicians actions with the need to limit and decentralize power, along the lines of our supposedly democratic values.
We have already agreed that most people have personal difficulty handling power. We accept this as a given. This should be our starting point.
Our goal in a post modern society should be to deconstruct power bases. All. Political, religious, economic. All power bases must fall. This is not in contradiction to freedom and fairness, but as a tangible solution to what is tacitly agreed to in your editorial.

And dear Simon, please elaborate further on "Party supporters and advisers, many of whom are dependent on the patronage of the prime minister, tend to blow smoke in certain anatomical directions."
As these anatomical directions increase in size year after year, is there a point at which this smoke permeates the entire area rendering the arse unable to distinguish the arse from a hole in the ground?
The answer to the perennial question of what to do about the human weakness and seemingly ubiquitous problem of not being able to handle power seems to be to seriously, significantly and continuously breaking down power structures, disallowing most of us who are thus affected by this human frailty even the opportunity to become characterized by the failings you so aptly describe above.
This must be an ongoing community effort, as history has shown the difficulty of shaking the euphoria of this elixir on one's own.
Some days Simon, the blown smoke is so thick that it is near impossible to distinguish arses from arses.
And yes, even in opposition, certain anatomical directions tend to coagulate, giving a perfectly reasonable and well understood thesis for your editorial.

It would sure seem that in a Christian nation quality health care would be a human right.
Funny how we have to play mental gymnastics to justify the rotten situation we currently champion.

Well thought out and accurate comment Island Warrior.
Thanks for posting.

An excellent example of why The Bahamas needs to focus on education.
Perhaps one day, we could find a reasonable, educated, and decent Prime Minister.
It might be awhile, but judging by what we have today, it will be worth the wait.

Does this article, and the comments, not prove that we have a few generations of much needed higher education to solve the least of our problems, let alone the more urgent? Without, for sure, of the needed time to do so.
Becoming a lawyer does not mean becoming educated. It means job training. Nothing more. This country is lost, ignorant and corrupt to the core. We get the politicians we deserve.

Absolutely correct. We speak of education, but as the Front Porch articulated yesterday, we go for job training, not true enlightenment. There is a difference.
Equality, well that's another matter altogether. Maybe next century.

Editor,
All points well taken. As you state,
"Few of our politicians have read widely in history, politics and literature. Many in our professional class have professional degrees. However, very few are intellectually imbued with a more liberal and classical education."
This also fits into the critique of a lack of "exposure" of our country.
Without these instructive tools, a liberal education is not possible, severely limiting the tools in our leaders, hence our country"s, toolboxes.
Leading a country without these tools is not unlike trying to change a tire on one's car without a lug wrench. You don't get far.
Yet, for me, even if our leaders were more educated, it still boils down to the following:
As Lord Acton accurately observes. "Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely."
In our political dreams, holding democracy dear, we must dissolve all centers and concentrations of power. It really is that simple.
All concentrations of wealth and power must be wrested from those who crave and monopolize it, and distributed back to the people. Where it rightly belongs.
The restraint we wish to see, must be exemplified and guided by those who allow these leaders to occupy the positions they so covet. It must be a reasonable balancing act.

Sometimes I wonder if the whole country of The Bahamas itself should not be classified as a gang. It's very hard to read this newspaper everyday and not have some concern. Far more Bahamians have left these shores, never to return, than live here now. Yes? Why didn't they return? No idea, huh?
Just like we can't figure out why crime is a problem?
I guess that's why so many turn to their god.
Last hope for those who have no answers.

In The Bahamas, how would one possibly determine "reliable"?
Reliability is only a poorly understood concept here.
However, I must say it is a breath of fresh air to see that there may be a spark of caring and concern other than for our own short-term selfish interests.
On second thought, yeah, how do we know this survey was "reliable"?

Exposed,
His biggest mistake was being a foreigner.
This won't be first, or last ruling, a bit eye opening.
They say justice is blind.
Hmmm.
Bahamar perhaps?