For the love of God and country -- approve the damn permits!!!!! Anyone with at least a 3rd grade education or higher would know that the more time is wasted the worse off the reef and future of tourism will be in the Bahamas. Why is it taking so long? Why is there so much incompetence at every level of government?

Furthermore, one of the largest trade partners for the US is China. Last time I checked, both China and Cuba were communist countries. Why is it that I can this afternoon book a two month long vacation trip to China, but I can't book a weekend trip to Cuba? Why is it that 75% of all the goods I purchase are manufactured in China, but I can't buy one thing from Cuba? This also applies to Vietnam. Many of the clothes I buy from the Gap, Banana Republic, etc are made in Vietnam and I am completely FREE to vacation in Vietnam too!!

For the past 5 decades or so, the US policy on Cuba has been one of the most ridiculous and ineffective in the history of US foreign policy. Has it worked? Has it caused so much suffer and pain to the Cuban citizens that they have finally revolted and removed the communist regime? No, no, and HELL no. It hasn't worked and it won't work. The fact that my country continues with this idiotic policy blows my mind and defies all logic.

Excellent post! As a white, Christian, male, & a US citizen... you make all very good points. We actually need MORE immigrants to come to the US. There are currently two job openings for every one unemployed worker in the US at this time. We need more bodies in the country that are willing to work & contribute. If US citizens won't or can't do the job -- bring in more immigrants.
As for guns -- yes, it is absolutely appalling. No one should have access to two AR-15s, 400 rounds of ammo, & a full set of body armor (as the 18 yr old did in Texas this week). Heck, my next door neighbor has four AR-15s, at least 4-5 hand guns, stacks of ammo, & two hand grenades all in a safe in his basement. I've seen his arsenal with my own eyes.
Please keep in mind, as you watch from up north, most folks are for gun control. The issue is that the Republican party has been completely hijacked by the NRA, the desire for money & control, & self preservation from a political point of view. As a result, I have happily walked away from the Republican party when Trump ran the first time in '16 & have never looked back.

You better pray and hope Cuba never fully opens up to the American public! The day that occurs, the numbers of Americans visiting the Bahamas will drop even further.

Yes, I agree it's not a perfect solution (as you describe in your post). There are definitely areas that need to be improved and/or changed in order for the elimination of using fossil fuels to be fully beneficial. So for example in your post, what if the factory that produces the electric vehicles was completely powered by solar panels (located on the roof of the massive car factory) instead of fossil fuels. In addition, what if the batteries that the electric vehicles use were renewable and never needed to be discarded? Would that make it more attractive in your opinion to switch from fossil fuels to something more renewable and less damaging to the environment?

One more item that should be free from the VAT tax -- medicine or medications.

Why charge the VAT on any food purchases? Food you purchase at the grocery store should be free from the VAT. Easy solution, makes sense, problem solved.

Who cares about these two kids and British royalty? Honestly, who really cares? And if you do care... why? The entire royal family is so irrelevant and bring literally no value whatsoever. It's all for show anyway.

Number one priority is the environment and compliance?!?!?!?!? That is a bold face LIE. As a publicly traded company, their number one priority is increasing their shareholder's value and increasing the stock price of the stock. All other priorities fall way, way down on the list after profits, revenue, and increasing the share price of the stock. Saying that the environment is priority number one is the farthest thing from the truth!!!!!!