Many bad deals were cut by those former FNM governments, setting the stage for a good part of our current fiscal demise.
I believe many of those deals were good for Cabinet Members however.
Electrification or east and west Grand Bahama by Southern electric/Marebuni/Mirant/Emera is one of them.
Power bills in Freeport are still paying for that slight of hand.

I agree with the National lottery, once it is run better than the national finances.
Already Detroit cannot pay out winnings in their Lottery.
(A U.S. city run much like the Bahamas.)
Meanwhile these legitimized clowns get no sympathy from me.

Aught to be driven back underground from whence they came.
Strip 'em of assets first. Put it to the national debt.
12% VAT is a joke to what these parasites suck out of poor Bahamians pockets and the economy.

So, a Government should not lead by example and pay arrears owing?
What kind of logic is that against your own context of pursuing monies owed?
We are in the national predicament we are in by Government leading by bad example!
That the Government is owed millions is something they have allowed, and should go after!
That they legalized Gaming by the same operators who operated illegally is reprehensible!
Me thinks we need some basic rudimentary Ethics testing in the appointed and elected!

Do you really believe that tripe MadHatter? yikes that's scary if you do.
So, KPT seems to not understand that unlike duty, VAT cannot be "front loaded"
If I import heavily @ 7.5%, before the increase, I will pay 7.5% on landed cost upon entry, but will have to remit to Government the difference in not only the traditional retail balance Portion but also at the highest rate, 12%.
Consumer still pays tot total!
However, the typical government Duty rate secrecy, wto, oecd, caricom, imf and God Knows who else negotiation secrecy continues as the norm, which has helped create the outrage in the private sector. We are following rail tracks owned by the above!
I will add, maybe the Chamber elected will now realize, being in the room, supposedly being consulted with is giving silent consent, you input will be taken or discarded without recourse. I'd rather not be in the room.

Unions are partly responsible for the downhill buss ride we've been on for 50 years, heads out the window enjoying the breeze!
That block wall at the bottom, when we hit it, will nullify all union agreements just as it will nullify the pension liabilities.
Keep trucking, don't mind the steep grade of the hill!

That the Bahamian people "give" flowers, by his own admission over $100 million is mind blowing. We must be the stupidest broke people on the planet! We are here worried about 12% VAT when flowers is operating what appears to be a 24% voluntary tax!
Reverse their sham legalization seize assets jail them and start over with a national lottery.
Ludicrous.

If he is upset by Morton Salt wait 'til Government hits public employees with contributions to pensions!
he will loose his marbles on that!
Unions without transparency and accountability vs. Governments without same.
Who's got the popcorn?

With revenues exceeding $2bn (I will stand corrected if wrong) it would appear that the drain on the economy vs. VAT is doubled. (if their revenue projections are correct for 12%VAT)
Funny who we want to castigate for our collective plight............
Notable also how their newfound legitimacy plays into their public presence and positioning.
Tax 'em out of existence as far as I am concerned, have never and will never let them play with my money.

VAT works because the private sector collects and remits it!
Obviously the private sector is more trustworthy than the public sector.(overall)
initially VAT caused an immediate price hike because most merchants didn't understand it, after a lifetime of Duty being included in the cost of goods (which it still is)
VAT is a pass through, and while it will still cause costs to rise it still remains more efficient and collectable.
No one in their right mind likes it, but aught to appreciate the dire fiscal failure we have been for the last 50 years.
As usual, we engage mouths before we engage our seldom used mental faculties.
Burden now or wipe out later. And not too much later either.
A wipe out that could still happen in any event.
This is where the "popular vote" comes home to roost. Those Yellow and Red T-shirts don't come cheap.
WE have willingly walked down the garden path hand in hand with the flavor of the day and now want to cry about mosquitoes?
Look around people, find a former PLP or FNM politician and thank them for their largess at your expense!