Fortunately, some are authentic and some repentant; however, some are purporting repentance while some are supercilious or some clueless. Still, how do we choose?
It is asserted here that the Bahamian economy is rapidly growing. Whether it is by design or by mere proximity to North America is a story within itself but it will not be discussed here because the discussion will invariably lead to partisan politics.
Besides, the future of this country is too important to waste time and ink on absurdities of party politics.
With this said, there is hope that the voters of this country will change the way they choose their candidates during the upcoming elections.
Voters must demand that candidate platforms are presented to them in a way whereby opposing candidates can voice their views on both general and specific topics.
Please understand that this is not being written or thought of in a vacuum. Agreeably, there are logistical problems arising from platforms such as these, however, this country cannot continue to play Russian roulette with its future by voting ‘party across the board.’
The bottom line is that political candidates must be made to articulate their respective philosophies. This way they can be held accountable both individually and collectively during their tenure.
Voters need to know what is going on inside a fellow’s head. Issues on economics, immigration, crime, agriculture or healthcare cannot be left to fancy slogans and T-shirts.
Being notoriously lazy but ‘a good politician’ should now be unacceptable; it should be a thing of the past.
Being a career politician is unacceptable; being a ward of the State is unacceptable. This upcoming election should not be business as usual. Please voters, concentrate on the major issues facing this country and ask your candidate to express their position on them.
It is emphatically stated here that with constant pressure to adopt global policies, additional plebiscitary recourses must be given to the people. This country cannot afford to continue to have decisions implemented solely along party lines; nor can we have parliamentarians whose views on core subjects and values are diametrically opposed to the common good.
It is asserted here that we have failed miserably in the area of candidate analysis.
There are issues such as the death penalty, child or spousal abuse, conflict of laws, treaties, taxation, subsidies or educational reforms that need to be discussed publicly by candidates. There must be some rationale as to the direction we are taking as a country.
This is why voters should be vigilant when choosing persons as leaders. We have to make certain that growth is not outpaced by decay.
By: Dwayne J Hanna, The Nassau Guardian
