by Rick Lowe
As most people know, government does most of its work "for the people" in secret. It appoints committees and the individuals serving have to sign confidentiality agreements so they can't discuss what they are doing on "behalf of the Bahamian people".
While there are certain issues of national security etc where this is not only anticipated but understood. However, when it comes to things like the Fuel Usage Review Committee, the Trade Commission or serving on one of the many other committees set up to review issues and make recommendations to the government, this is a lack of accountability and transparency.
It's like saying the Cuban Revolution is for the people but the only problem is the Cuban people can't participate.
So what happens is politicians tend to use emotional rhetoric when promoting their pet project as opposed to stating facts and figures to justify their position.
It is important to bear in mind that Parliament meets day after day to write legislation to keep Bahamian citizen's "honest, fair and transparent", yet they cannot, or do not, hold themselves to the same standards.
These are interesting times.
