The web site Songfacts says that the song Crossroads,
...was originally recorded by Blues musician Robert Johnson in the 1930s. According to legend, Johnson went to the crossroads and made a deal with the devil, giving up his soul for the ability to play the blues. The story originates from an interview with Blues singer Son House, who explained how Johnson went from being a terrible guitar player to a very good one in a very short period of time. Over the years, the story grew into the tale of Johnson selling his soul to the devil.
I'm not sure this is what Mr. Dionisio D'Aguilar, the president of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce had in mind when he indicated to The Tribune Business that, The "Bahamas is at a crossroads in every aspect of its development". But some serious soul searching must be done by every Bahamian regarding the future direction of this wonderful country we call home.
Some of the crossroads we are at according to Mr. D'Aguilar are:
Trade Agreements - WTO and EPA;
Our "appalling educational system";
The use of technology in our businesses, banking sector and government;
Tourism and "how to improve the diversity of our tourism product and deteriorating level of customer service"; and
Our taxation system.
These are tall orders for a country that had to forge an agreement with a foreign firm to get the international airport sorted out. But, he is absolutely correct.
I would submit that we will see very little in the way of improvement in these areas as long as we all view the government as the great solver of our problems.
And when we read this post... over at Bahama Pundit, about our Judicial system, it seems the climb will be harder than we can imagine.
At the crossroads? You bet. But let's hope that not too many more make the same deal Mr. Johnson has been reputed to have made before we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
