It would be great if this NHI effort could be "multi- partisan" with both the FNM and DNA joining the PLP in implementing a fiscally sensible public insurance plan for the Bahamian people.

Surely all the experts, including statements from the Bahamian medical association (MAB) have said an all inclusive insurance scheme is needed, and in the case of the MAB "supported"!

Well then...let's see the other political parties, agencies and nongovernmental institutions come up with ways to "fix" whatever they feel is broken with the government's/ Sanigets's proposed scheme...the 100+ page document has been released publicly. If indeed it is true that a properly funded national insurance scheme will improve the delivery of healthcare to our citizens and remove the financial barriers to locally (and even reasonably priced internationally) availability care and would spark a renascence of modern advance care in the Bahamas, then we all are doing the country a disservice if we don't seize this opportunity to get it done now. If not this opportunity will not likely present itself anytime in the foreseeable future...or maybe that's what some special interests groups want...a maintenance of the status quo so they can continue to reap their financial benefits, while "the people" suffer?!

Changes proposed are certainly welcomed.

Now if we can "scrape" that mirrored reflective covering from the cashiers' booth at government facilities like the Road Traffic Department we'd really be saying something positive about customer service, accountability and transparency in public institutions...

Hopefully that's not too much to ask for.....

Riveting. Again this highlights the importance of "the Rule of Law", and why it's important to craft policies and laws with that in mind.

Surely what can be gleaned from the IACHR commission's hearing and the defense of our Bahamian government is that the business of running a country is not trite both in terms of ability and expense. We need to up our game and give it the attention and performance it deserves.

What is also clear is the rear ended approach that we, like others have had with regards to immigration policies, especially when it comes to migrant issues. We would be better served to change our policing, investigative and prosecution strategies against the traffickers, employers and other enablers of those who take advantage of illegal migrants. The present policies of arresting and harassing migrants brought here out of desperation on their part and the greed of the enablers is similar to arresting the Call-girl, while allowing the "John" to get off Scott free.

The previous commenters have clearly articulated the frustrations that Bahamians must feel. Instituting a "Belonger" status in isolation, or in any instance other than as a temporary policy until the citizenship status in our constitution is "fixed" is disingenuous, and could cause us more problems in the long run, many of which have been stated previously.

Even those of us who hail the need for new blood to enrich our country hope that the "fix" is elimination of the pathway to Bahamian citizenship from simply being born here, especially to parents who are illegal at the time of the child's birth. Children born to legal parents are another matter, and they have my support for citizenship.

Let's be sensible, in our thoughts, discussions and policy. One place to start is to move quickly with the immigration related citizenship issues garnered by the Constitutional Commission. Surely Bahamians would be more enthusiastic about addressing this issue beyond all others.

What about "shipping" them on the mail boat? Should be cheaper than $125/ cage!

I too am concerned about what are the mechanics of the drainage system proposed? We are not a society that maintains complex processes very well.

The governmental authorities need to protect consumers better. Regulation, environmental and building codes should be strengthened to prevent a repeat of the Pinewood fiasco. While some of these folks bought into Pinewood after flooding was known to occur I suspect it was miscalculation on their part or they were duped.

Regardless of how we got here, or the fact that many of these homes are valued at less than $250K which means they don't pay Real Property Taxes, we need to fix this problem. So I support using public monies to do that.

However, government should make ever effort to recoup the monies over time. If this means going after unscrupulous developers, realtors, contractors or lawyers using existing laws they should do so. The home owners who live in Pinewood should be levied a "Drainage Tax" to fund the cost and ongoing maintenance of the system. Additionally the homes in the area should be reevaluated and all valued for more than $250K should be made to pay their property taxes.
There's no such thing as a free lunch, or drainage system.

Mr. Minnis you and your advisors need to read up on VAT and meet with the government's New Zealand Consultants before proclaiming your plan to repeal certain aspects of it make sense. In fact they have answers and suggestions that address your very proposals. Including addressing Social Services to offset the struggles the poor will face upon VAT implementation. Following their advice and the NZ GST as close as possible may indeed be your best suggestion.

That said, the previous commenter brings up an excellent point regarding government's spending. We Bahamians have no "choice" when it comes fiscal responsibility amongst our political parties. All seem to be in the "promising business". Unfortunately none hail limiting government spending, promotion of private business expansion and elimination of monopolies as a priority.

Mr. Minnis, you are the Leader of the FNM, act like it!

I've read the New Zealand Consultant's report on VAT. They suggested reducing the Customs Duty to a small amount on virtually everything (Customs Duties in NZ have largely been eliminated as well as all of their other taxes being substantially reduced). When you have only some exemptions on particular items people have to wonder "in whose favor are these exemptions meant"?! The NZ Consultants also recommended reducing the VAT exemptions to only "financial services, certain insurances (like annuities which have a finance component) and residential rent". The initial increase in inflation faced by the poor/ working class should be accompanied by increased social services assistance.
Once the Customs Duties are reduced across the board then the overall cost of living in the Bahamas should come down since these Custom's Duties (taxes) are likely the greatest component to the high cost of living here: Bahamians we are some of the most heavily taxed citizens in the world, lack of income tax not withstanding!
Now the consumer protection agencies will need to police our businesses to ensure that those cost savings are passed on to the consumers. However simple business competition should encourage folks to "drop their prices", but keeping an eye out for "hogs" is a good idea.
Why is it that our government thinks it can do a better job implementing VAT than the New Zealanders, whose Goods & Services Tax (GST) is acknowledged as being the best on earth?! Hopefully government will get their policies in gear and adopt the good advice that they have been offered, as well as tightening their own belts on the spending side!

Hopefully this episode along with the debacle that is BEC will convince politicians, even the most strident socialist, that "government owned" is rarely a good policy. Especially as an economic or efficiency concept. Selfish government employees have no concept of business responsibilities and are not worth the political headache they cause.
Anyone who owns a business or whose income is tied to business (or one's own) performance understands that a pay raise, or god forbid a"bonuses" in a company whose income is "in the red" is incongruous.
Privatization, with competition, is the only way to solve our government's fiscal woes. So it must be for Bahamas Air, fortunately as stated by the DPM there is already competition, and for BEC. However without liberalization of electrical generation and distribution we'll face the same shoddy service from BEC as we now get from BTC (C&W) and Cable Bahamas. So I join the voices calling for private ownership at both these entities, however we need to also fight for the allowance and encouragement of competition which is what actually makes
privatization successful and ensures consumers get the best prices and services.

Criminal prosecution as practiced in our country is largely a failure: prolonged wait, in most instances for many years before cases make their way to court, witnesses and victims not showing up to court, evidence being judged inadequate or contaminated, alleged police brutality, prosecutors constantly out-foxed by highly paid/experienced/ superior defense attorneys.

I understand the frustration about crime and the lack of faith in our judicial system, not to mention the deterioration in our socialization and child rearing prowess. However why Mrs. AG waste time and limited resources perusing a death penalty that's not going to happen, despite what Mr. Munroe espouses?! Remember his', and his ilk benefit with every court appearance. Evidence, in the form of many peer reviewed studies, has shown that the death penalty is not a deterrent for the type of murders we see here in Nassau. It is morally reprehensible and archaic.

I for one will be most happy once we accept its ultimate demise!