Exactly. The fact that Dr Minnis believed that he could carry on this way is very telling. He wouldn't try it with Hubert Ingraham. The FNM should have been very forceful with him from 2018.

"*I don’t know what the ethical dilemma would be for something that would bring employment, engagement, business licences and other taxes that have to be paid as per the law, so what could be wrong with that?” *

**There's a very dangerous movement afloat. An attempt to sway public sentiment by associating monetary reward with "good".**

Why cant we say what drug dealers do is good? Look at how much money they put in people's hands, how much work they give to idle men on the blocks. Slowly but surely one unethical practice after another is being woven into the light of day with statements such as "what could be wring with this?", "look at the money", "look at the employment", "there's no law against it". The fact that we have no penalties for ethical violations IS the problem, when you have no standard, anything will do

They all know what this carnival debacle was. "Pay to Play". The open secret among the political parties. Just like the backdoor at Nygard's Cay and the illegal gaming operations... and who knows what else

"*The amusement park has brought new rides, inclusive of the largest roller coaster that The Bahamas has ever seen.*"

that's rich. its a cheap kiddie carnival

And what our leaders dont get is thats the purpose of the pressure to charge the 15% tax. The financial industry is dead. Well not dead, but like tourusm under severe threat. Neither are good candidates to base an entire economy on going forward. Growth was never more needed. Our problem is we've benefitted for so long from squashing innovators, sidelining talent and promoting brainless minions that righting the system would almost take another 50 years... "if" they started today. Think of it, 2 years after COVID the insight from tourism on how to move forward was *we need to clean up the garbage*. Likely we wont see a need to change until everything collapses. As another person said directly before COVID, *nothing wrong with tourism its supported us for years, you people talking about growth dont know what you're talking about*, we won't see the light until its blinding us like COVID

when the story broke last week, I said this sounds exactly like the mafia methodology. They charge the businesses in the district they "own" to operate in that district. If you dont pay you dont operate. When "ownership" changes, the new "owners" benefit from the tax. Apparently there was a *if you dont pay you dont operate* kafufffle in christmas 2017.

Its very telling that Brave hasnt said a word. I frankly don't think he had much to do with this..Yes the power of his office was used but it doesnt seem like this is something he'd concern himself with directly. However the fact that he hasnt spoken out says clearly something isnt all together right with this arrangement. It would be a fairly simple communication if this was in fact a normal business transaction

**This is nothing like a private company bringing in a concert.**

For one the private company would be asked to pay for work permits **at minimum**. **What this is like is** someone who has the reigns of power of the country having an "arrangement" with an entity in which they allow that entity to **come in free of charge**... no work permits.. **and in return for greasing the way, you give me back something**. That is NOT ethical business practice. That is abusing power. What we tend to do in the Bahsmas is engage in all of these shady practices and then justify them by saying *well it wasnt illegal* and even if it was *theres no penalty prescribed in the law*. There's one extremely surprising proponent of these practices who must have gotten hit with a big rock for as vocsl as theyve been in support of the goings on. Incidentally, they also saw nothing wrong with giving out contracts to supporters absent of a proper procurement framework... cuz *thats how it works*"

What are we giving Jonquel?

The biggest eye opener is the number of high profile persons saying they see absolutely no issues with this process. Its like our moral compass has been completely corrupted by years of accepting and being the benefits of corrupt practices. Illegal gaming, contracts

"* that it is the party in power that tends to be involved. Not a single party, not a particular entrepreneur, rather the carnival has become a Christmas pass the parcel for whoever is in charge.*"

i.e. "**Shakedown**"