Freeport (and by default Grand Bahama) has suffered under both PLP and FNM idiocy and their unwillingness to comprehend the value of the H.C.A.
It has the potential to be bigger than either of their petty games or scope of Nassau-Centric control, hence they have always feared it.
"Bend or Break" while more symbolic than effective did cause quite a lot of aberration in the actual practice, did chase out much foreign direct investment, and enabled much personal profit and sweetheart deals for politicians and their progeny.
Funny that it is the same foreign direct investment we crave now.
When any Government targets its own citizens and economic base, destruction is always the result.
One only has to look around the country to confirm that.

They will try untold programs and approaches, and never find the true culprit:
Yet they only need look in a mirror.
The corruption and lawlessness started at the top, over 40 years ago, and Ordinary Bahamians, seeing them rewarded lavishly for their corruption, Always getting away with it, it has trickled down through society, at almost every level, as the only way to get ahead.
You own it Mr. Nottage, along with all of your crooked cohorts past and present.

Force you to pay for a "service" that to date has ben deplorable, a money sink hole, without any accountability.
That we already pay for via existing taxation.

Changing any part of the H.C.A. will require 80% of licenses to agree,
Not that Port or Government has ever considered its licensees in their prior shenanigans,
H.A.I even had to write separate legislation to extend the tax exemptions,
as he could not alter the H.C.A.
As for a Government "equity Stake" we'd still like to know what they did with their existing 7.5% equity stake!
Perhaps a little disclosure from Government and Port Shareholders all would "clear the air"
One thing is for sure, Government will bring further confusion, meddling, and stagnation to the party.

That they will be used against Bahamians is not in question,
what is not known is the government's intended action that will trigger the people
to revolt, giving the Government the excuse to use them.
Therein lies the danger to the Bahamas and it's Constitution:
The Very Government as elected.
Maybe they're tired of handing over the keys to the treasury every 5 years,
maybe they want time to get Bahamar off PC's defunct legacy.
Maybe they are just tired of answering to the people.

The Problem with the current healthcare system is that it is a 3 party system:
The patient has the least leverage, and is the fodder and feeder for the system.
Add in the Government and it all goes straight to hell, and the patient will be 4th in line.

He might manage to read it,
but he will never comprehend it!
No problem, investment will wait another 6 months, maybe going elsewhere in the mean time.

They can't be trusted to keep this stuff secure, never mind use it!
It'll end up on the streets soon enough.
Scary proposition though, Arming the Defense force for land based military operations.

I agree, nothing wrong with the H.C.A, seems no one in Government, or the Port currently is smart enough to get it running properly.
Sad as it represents so much potential for the country as a whole.

Garbage collection Freeport Vs. Nassau is a prime example of something "Free" being in short supply.
I would rather pay $3.45 per pickup than live surrounded by garbage, and not just outside my gate but all over the place in great piles apparently!
But we digress, Government has always considered Freeport (and the H.C.A.) a thorn in their side, but politically convenient around election time, when seeking campaign $$, or a distraction from their own failures Nationwide.
Nassau fears it's potential, both commercially and politically, and few in Government have ever understood the Document (H.C.A.) written before their time.
Successive Governments have pushed and pulled trying to diminish, thwart, undermine or outright abrogate its existence,
and all have failed, however the casualties have been significant.
I will say the decay of Freeport has been small in comparison to the rest of the country.
Could things be better? That is a national question is it not?
I believe Maximus Pontificus is to speak to the tax exemptions soon,
we shall see if he comes to diminish or enable.
Madhatter, what you say about lopping heads off on command would be funny if there were not historical precedent. We are not far from that blind allegiance in both major political camps.
There are none so blind,
as those who will not see.