by Rick Lowe
A lot has been said in the recent campaign by both major political parties (PLP and FNM) about each other, but how much has been stated about what policies each would pursue if elected to "run the country"?
Go ahead. You can and admit it. You don't really remember right?
Well you are no different than the rest of us and should not feel embarrassed. Truth be told, rallies do not lend themselves to serious discussion of the issues. At least not for more than five minutes or so.
A couple things of particular interest to me are the transparency and accountability of the government with particular emphasis on Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and Senators.
These "Honourable" people spend their lives voting for laws to keep every citizen of The Bahamas "in check" yet do not hold themselves to the same standards.
However, all is not lost, at least as far as the FNM is concerned. While they have not committed themselves to passing legislation that would force them to be transparent and accountable, they have at least put the standards their MP's and Cabinet Ministers will have to live up to in writing.
You can read the FNM Manifesto '07 by clicking here.
As far as the PLP are concerned, they appear to have forgotten the standards they enunciated in their "Plan" for election 2002, and they do not even appear to have put a "Plan" together for election 2007. Maybe they don't want to document their "promises" should they get re-elected.
While I personally view the FNM as the lesser of the two evils this election I am disappointed that I have not heard or read where a single candidate has discussed building a country based on liberty for all Bahamians (that doesn't mean none of them have said it but I have not heard or read it). By a country based on liberty, I refer to personal responsibility, limited government, individual freedom and free enterprise, rather than more and more government dependency.
I long for the day that politicians seeking office not only promise to, but unleash the entrepreneurial spirit among our naturally talented people rather that stifle ingenuity through more and more legislation.
I long for a government that not only promises to but reduces the the government by privatising government services so they truly serve the needs of Bahamians rather than Bahamians paying taxes for lousy service. Unfortunately I can't choose another government agency as I can a car dealer or doctor, or any other service provider, that might provide less than adequate service.
I long for a government that not only promises but truly submits to our constitutional requirements. A government that encourages Bahamians to take care of themselves rather than one that wants to take the healthcare industry over because they believe they can provide better health care than the professionals.
This blog is already too long, but I think you get my drift?
In closing, governments are no more than facilitators within the context of our Constitution. They do not have the right or the ability to usurp control over all goods and services in the country. That should be up to the entrepreneurial ability unleashed by a privatised and effective educational system rather than a system that continues to put our own citizens at a disadvantage when pushed through to graduation without the ability to read, write and complete the most basic calculations.
So, God speed the FNM on May 2, 2007, but it will be up to each and every Bahamian to keep them on their toes with public debate about policies that hurt Bahamians rather than help us become the masters of our own destiny. No one should have to beg a bureaucrat or politician for favours to make a living.
I'll do my part. will you?
