{"id":7193,"date":"2011-03-21T09:17:27","date_gmt":"2011-03-21T13:17:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/?p=7193"},"modified":"2011-03-21T09:17:27","modified_gmt":"2011-03-21T13:17:27","slug":"plp-politicians-foam-at-the-mouth-in-grand-bahama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2011\/03\/plp-politicians-foam-at-the-mouth-in-grand-bahama","title":{"rendered":"PLP Politicians Foam At The Mouth in Grand Bahama"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>FREEPORT, Grand Bahama &#8212; The Progessive Liberal Party held a mass rally at  PLP House in Freeport on Friday, March 19th.\u00a0 Below, find remarks by Shane  Gibson, Fred Mitchell, Ryan Pinder, and Philip &#8216;Brave&#8217; Davis.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7194\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7194\" style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7194\" title=\"Shameless Shane Gibson\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/gibson.jpg\" alt=\"Shameless Shane Gibson\" width=\"200\" height=\"235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/gibson.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/gibson-127x150.jpg 127w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7194\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shameless Shane Gibson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Remarks  in Grand Bahama PLP Rally D. Shane Gibson Member of Parliament Golden Gates:<\/p>\n<p>Mr. Party leader and Mrs. Christie, Mr. Deputy leader and Mrs. Davis, Mr.  Chairman and Mrs. Roberts, Parliamentarians, party supporters and fellow  Bahamians good evening.<\/p>\n<p>I feel so privileged to have been given the opportunity to be here tonight to  share with you at a very pivotal time in the History of The Bahamas and more so  in Grand Bahama. A song writer penned and sang a song many years ago \u201cyou are  always on my mind\u201d, and Grand Bahama you know from my many contributions that I  have made Parliament you are always on my mind.<\/p>\n<p>It breaks my heart to see these shameless FNM representatives here in Grand  Bahama, day after day allowing this island to deteriorate to the position that  it is in now. To think that this was once known know as FNM country, and to see  the way you have been treated, no wonder why today Grand Bahama is known as PLP  country. The question is asked day in and day out, what is the FNM doing to  improve and expand the economy of The Bahamas and in particular the economy of  Grand Bahama. The resounding answer is absolutely nothing. They are at their  best in their minds, when they criticize the PLP. Some of them have become known  only because they continue to attack Shane Gibson and the work he has done in  housing, which is clear that without mentioning my name, they would have nothing  of substance to say.<\/p>\n<p>They have become Pro\u2019s at finishing off projects we started and useless at  initiating projects on their own. Their claim to fame is now, the PLP started  it, but they had to finish it. Well if we start a project and their lies and  deceptions got us voted out of office and they become the Government, is it not  their duty to complete those projects? Then again they could not even do that  right, as they foolishly stop reviewed and cancelled too many contracts.<\/p>\n<p>Then they have the nerve to be jet setting all over the place spreading their  teeth with smiles as big as their egos opening projects started by the PLP,  while pretending that the projects are theirs.<\/p>\n<p>Bakers Bay, Albany, Baha Mar, Anatol Rodgers school, TG Glover school, Straw  Market and LPIA, all started by the PLP. All they did was stopped some, added a  comma here, or a full stop there, then claimed it as theirs.<\/p>\n<p>Then after treating Grand Bahama so badly, they are trying to hide it from  the rest of The Bahamas by downsizing the staff at Broadcasting Corporation of  The Bahamas northern service and canceling the nightly newscast, and who did  they get to lead this charge of downsizing, Michael Moss, Kenneth Russell,  Laing, Kwaisi Thompson, Verna Grant and Neiko Grant. All Grand Bahamians. They  should all hang their heads in shame.<\/p>\n<p>Then while Grand Bahama is suffering from the highest unemployment numbers in  its history, these MP\u2019s are riding around in their air conditioned cars with  their windows rolled up and cell phones to their ears pretending that all is  well on the island. Well Grand Bahama, you have a chance and the power to make  wrong right, you have a chance and the power to do to them what they are doing  to you, you have a chance and the power to pay them back. You have a chance and  the power to show them who the boss is.\u00a0 You the people\u2026YOU are da boss,  YOU hire and YOU fire.<\/p>\n<p>I want you to look carefully at what is going on here, this clueless and  spiteful Government comes into power complaining about what the PLP did or did  not do and in their usual hypocrisy they do worst than what they complained  about. They cancelled the contract of the Heritage school because they said that  Mcdonald\u2019s bid was too low, but they gave Fletcher Mcintosh an extra one million  dollars when they claimed that his contract was too low. Notice the trend, FES  is able to get all of the Government\u2019s major contracts here in Grand Bahama and  they don\u2019t see a problem with that. I guess FES must be the only contractor  qualified to handle large Government contracts.<\/p>\n<p>Then you have those heartless Government Ministers who sit idly by watching  the customs department suffocate the businesses of an already failed economy by  placing unreasonable demands on them at a time when they should be given a grace  period to get their affairs in order. It seems to me and to many others that  between this Government\u2019s neglect of Grand Bahama and Customs Department squeeze  on Grand Bahama, they are both hell bent on bringing business in Grand Bahama to  a screeching halt.<\/p>\n<p>The Immigration Bahamianization policy needs to be fine tuned to make it more  relevant to today\u2019s realities.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps potential employers wanting to hire persons in certain disciplines  can be required to advertise not only in the papers but also on special notice  boards set up on Cable Bahamas and ZNS as was previously done through the Labour  Report that was discontinued due to\u00a0ZNS and Cable Bahamas requiring payment for  such notices.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps both entities can be encouraged to provide the service as a  community\u00a0service especially during these tough economic times.<\/p>\n<p>Foreign managers being required to supervise Bahamians should be required to  undergo a mandatory orientation, short course as to the cultural nuances of The  Bahamas; We can use\u00a0cultural GURUS such as\u00a0James Catalyn and Arlene Nash and  others\u00a0to put on short courses for these persons so that they could be prepared  to work in The Bahamian Workplaces.<\/p>\n<p>We are one of the few countries that don\u2019t have such a program for  expatriates and this\u00a0contributes to many of the industrial dispute problems we  face especially in the Hotel and \u00a0industrial sectors of our economy.<\/p>\n<p>We need to put in place social safety nets for workers as well. Many  companies are closing without any provisions being put in place for workers to  receive their severance packages.<\/p>\n<p>Having\u00a0laws is one thing but ensuring that employers put in place a safety  net for workers should they have to close their doors suddenly is extremely  important.<\/p>\n<p>The closures of the\u00a0Royal Oasis, the Gladstone Farms and more recently the  Rick Hayward restaurants\u00a0in Grand Bahama\u00a0all speak to the need to have a safety  net that protects the severance packages of workers\u00a0to guarantee\u00a0that the monies  will be in\u00a0 place to pay them their packages should (God forbid) any  business\u00a0have to close its doors suddenly, and there can be any number of  reasons why closures can happen suddenly, fires, hurricanes and other natural  disasters. There is currently no protection in the statutes for workers in those  categories, as was the case in Bimini with the burning down of the Complete  Angler, there the workers went to the Tribunal but they got nothing because the  court ruled that the fire was an act of God.<\/p>\n<p>Mandatory pension plans must be put in place as soon as economic  circumstances improve.<\/p>\n<p>The employment act needs to be overhauled. Notice pay and severance pay\u00a0need  to be more clearly defined.<\/p>\n<p>The definition of unfair dismissal needs to be broadened to include  dismissal\u00a0of persons engaged in jury duty, sick leave and family leave.  Provisions need to be adjusted to reflect modern realities.<\/p>\n<p>Conclusion<\/p>\n<p>I DAVID SHANE GIBSON tonight recommit myself to working on your behalf  through this great party of ours The Progressive Liberal Party.\u00a0 Whenever I  am called upon to engage in this battle, I will advance forward and my name is  depicted in the Bible in the David and Goliath story.<\/p>\n<p>Remarks  by Fox Hill MP Fred MItchell:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7196\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7196\" style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7196\" title=\"Mealy-Mouthed Mitchell\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/mitchell.jpg\" alt=\"Mealy-Mouthed Mitchell\" width=\"200\" height=\"238\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/mitchell.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/mitchell-126x150.jpg 126w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7196\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mealy-Mouthed Mitchell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It is an honour and a privilege to be with you tonight as we continue on the  march to victory in the general election.<\/p>\n<p>Hubert Ingraham is a big bluffer. Now that he has heard that some of his  Members of Parliament may be wavering, that some of his party members do not  think that it\u2019s a good idea to sell BTC, he is threatening to call elections.<\/p>\n<p>This is part of being a bully. You try to threaten your opponents. URCA is  now threatening GEMS radio and Steve McKinney. This is the same agency that is  supposed to be independent but which the Prime Minister said he would direct to  stop hiring foreigners. So did he direct URCA to interfere with Steve McKinney  and GEMS Radio?\u00a0 We say to Steve McKinney, we are with you my brother :  stand firm. Say no to the national bully. Still stand.<\/p>\n<p>And so we ask tonight, did a politician direct Customs to raid Andy Schaefer  at Robin Hood and jeopardize 300 jobs because he too dared to speak up?<\/p>\n<p>So Hubert Ingraham, don\u2019t bluff me about elections. I say bring it on my  friend. Call the elections. We ready now. Don\u2019t bluff. Just do it.<\/p>\n<p>You will remember that our Party leader at the last meeting that the party  held in Nassau on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday told Hubert  Ingraham that he does not have the mandate to sell BTC. The only thing he can do  in the circumstances is to call a general election. The leader said call them  sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n<p>So I want to echo that tonight.\u00a0 Don\u2019t bluff. You are so bad and  biggetty: call the elections.\u00a0 Let\u2019s rumble.\u00a0 May the best party win.  I know that tonight more than ever the country needs the PLP.<\/p>\n<p>I intend to vote no when the vote comes in the House on BTC along with all of  my PLP colleagues.\u00a0 I urge all FNM MPs and Senators to join us and vote no.  I support the call for a division when the vote comes so that each and every  Bahamian will know who voted to sell out their country next week.<\/p>\n<p>I want to address some matters local to Grand Bahama.<\/p>\n<p>When we were last here, we came shortly after the 200 people were fired from  Our Lucaya. Following those dismissals, the Minister of Labour came to Grand  Bahama and announced a number of measures. It has been some time now, and the  question is, have those things that he announced worked? Was he speaking the  truth when he announced them?<\/p>\n<p>I have heard from some former employees of the company about what the  Minister of Labour has announced and they say that his\u00a0 assistance has  largely been a failure. The FNM has misled the country and the people of Grand  Bahama on what has been done for the workers of Our Lucaya.<\/p>\n<p>First, all employees now know that the unemployment benefit was not a new  benefit but the same benefit that had been in place prior to the layoffs. So  that was nothing new. What they did not tell employees was that they will not  get the unemployment benefit until their severance pay has run out. So if you  get nine months termination pay, you don\u2019t get any unemployment benefit until  that nine months has expired.<\/p>\n<p>Secondly, this is\u00a0 a great problem because in many cases people owe  their mortgages and car payments.\u00a0 So when their termination money was  paid, the banks immediately took all of the money. So the result was that there  is no cash in your hand, you have no job and you cannot collect unemployment.\u00a0  So you are immediately at the mercy of the Department of Social Services.<\/p>\n<p>Thirdly, the Minister said that those workers who wanted training for new  jobs and positions could get that training at the College of The Bahamas and  BTVI . One thing though, when some of the former workers went to BTVI and COB,  those institutions did not know what the people were talking about.\u00a0 COB  and BTVI read about it the newspaper like you and me. The Minister forgot to  tell BTVI and COB.<\/p>\n<p>This is typical of FNM propaganda, just say anything to get rid of you and  then worry about the details later.<\/p>\n<p>Fourthly, there was no proper advice on how to spend the money that the  former employees got. Those who managed to get some money from the mortgage man  got no proper advice. The complained that the way things were set up at the  special sessions organized by the Minister, it did not allow for sufficient  privacy for people to feel comfortable about expressing their anxieties and  concerns.\u00a0\u00a0 Again, not thinking things through properly, simply  rushing for propaganda purposes.<\/p>\n<p>Fifthly, there was the promise of jobs at Sandals in Exuma and Bimini Bay in  Bimini. Now the people in Bimini and Exuma found this most interesting. They  cannot get jobs in Bimini and Exuma but people from Grand Bahama were being told  to come to those islands to get jobs. Well of course it\u2019s the Bahamas so you can  go anywhere but the point the people in Exuma and Bimini are making is that as  far as they knew there were no jobs to be had in those islands either.<\/p>\n<p>And I found it surprising because in Bimini, Bimini Bay has announced that  they themselves had laid off people from their employ.<\/p>\n<p>I am advised that four people have taken up positions in Bimini of the 200  that were\u00a0 fired from Our Lucaya. Exuma is a difficult proposition. One is  because Sandals has a reputation for being a difficult employer, and is in a  wage dispute with the residents of Exuma. The other issue is that to move to  Exuma or Bimini you face the prospect of travel expenses, room and board, all of  which make the money that you get paid fritter away. So the worker in Grand  Bahama has to ask him or herself, is it worth it to move?<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, the question still remains: was the layoff done in accordance with  the provisions of the contract of employment with the trade unions.<\/p>\n<p>Tonight then, I want to repeat what our leader said when he was here last  week. We love this city. We cannot afford to see it fail. We intend to keep the  government\u2019s feet to the fire in order to save this city. We say that it is  incredible that you have five FNM MPs, three of whom are Cabinet ministers and  not one peep from them in the midst of this crisis in Grand Bahama.<\/p>\n<p>That should tell the people of Freeport something.<\/p>\n<p>So as I leave you tonight, I end where I began to Hubert Ingraham, don\u2019t  bluff us about elections. Bring it on and let\u2019s rumble.<\/p>\n<p>PLP all the way!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7197\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7197\" style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7197\" title=\"Baby-Face Pinder\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/pinder.jpg\" alt=\"Baby-Face Pinder\" width=\"200\" height=\"220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/pinder.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/pinder-136x150.jpg 136w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7197\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Baby-Face Pinder<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Remarks  by L. Ryan Pinder, Elizabeth MP:\u00a0 Mr. Party Leader, the Rt. Hon. Perry  Christie, Mr. Deputy, Hon. Brave Davis and Mrs. Davis, Our Chairman, Officers  and Members of the great Progressive Liberal Party here in Grand Bahama. Good  Evening!<\/p>\n<p>Introduction<\/p>\n<p>This evening, we are here in Grand Bahama, and I don\u2019t have to tell you how  bad things are, the suffering Bahamians are going through, the suffering Grand  Bahamians are going through.\u00a0 See, a Government who is more concerned about  things and not people is a failed Government, a Government that concentrates on  the special interest and not every Bahamian.\u00a0 The Prime Minister might be a  fighter, but he isn\u2019t fighting for you.\u00a0 The FNM is a failed government  which has branded their legacy \u2013 they say The Bahamas is Moving in a New  Direction under and FNM Government.\u00a0 I say, yes, they are right, the  Bahamas and Bahamians have never experienced the pain and suffering like they  are doing now.\u00a0 The Bahamas has moved in a new direction, that direction is  backwards.<\/p>\n<p>FNM Self-Proclaimed Legacy<\/p>\n<p>The FNM say talking fool is a dangerous thing.\u00a0 I agree, I tell the  Prime Minister and his band of jesters, stop talking fool and be real with the  Bahamian people.\u00a0 The FNM claim that they have produced more opportunities  and jobs for Bahamians \u2013 I ask you Grand Bahama, how many jobs has this FNM  produced for you?\u00a0 We have record unemployment in the country, and more and  more jobs are being lost every day.\u00a0 Yes, talking fool is a dangerous thing  FNM.<\/p>\n<p>The FNM Government claim they have provided expanded social protection.\u00a0  If this Government had not failed the Bahamian people, expanded social services  would not be required.\u00a0 By creating an environment where more are  unemployed, businesses are going out of business, expanded social services is  needed for many just to survive.\u00a0 If this Government had the ability to  truly provide opportunities and empowerment for all Bahamians, expanded social  protection would not be required.\u00a0 Yes, talking fool is a dangerous thing.<\/p>\n<p>The FNM Government claims they are transforming the nation\u2019s infrastructure.\u00a0  Taking pride in things and not people is nothing to be proud of.\u00a0 You can  build a new road, but if you can\u2019t afford to put gas in your car, that road does  you no good.\u00a0 A compassionate government would be more about people than  things, a PLP government will be more about people.\u00a0 Yes, tell this FNM  Government, talking fool is a dangerous thing.<\/p>\n<p>This FNM Government is taking pride in the better delivery of government  services.\u00a0 What services could they be talking about?\u00a0 Will this FNM  Government ever understand, the people are hurting, Bahamians are crying out for  opportunity and empowerment but the FNM is not listening, they think everything  is A OK.\u00a0 This kind of talking fool is indeed a dangerous thing.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0  This is a time for serious reform, serious Government, serious plans.\u00a0 This  FNM Government needs to wake up to the reality of the Bahamas in which we live.  Let us show this FNM Government, talking fool is a dangerous thing.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly this FNM Government is bragging about enhancing national security.\u00a0  I ask, are they just blind, are they out of touch with reality?\u00a0 Year after  year we experience increased crime, record murders and violent crime.\u00a0  Bahamians are living in fear.\u00a0 This FNM Government has failed Bahamians in  reversing successful and effective crime prevention strategies of the PLP such  as Urban Renewal, all at the expense of the Bahamian people.\u00a0 Where are the  progressive national security policies of this Government, there are none.\u00a0  Tommy Turnquest, talking fool is a dangerous thing.<\/p>\n<p>If this is their platform, if this is their legacy, they have nothing to be  proud of.\u00a0 If they are judged on their record, it ain\u2019t long now.<\/p>\n<p>The Progressive Liberal Party will be the next government of the Bahamas, and  Perry Gladstone Christie, the next Prime Minister of the Bahamas and we are  prepared to govern so as to empower all Bahamians, prepared to lift this country  up and ensure that all Bahamians share in the economy of the Bahamas.\u00a0 The  PLP team, the next Government of the Bahamas will bring hope to those who feel  hopeless, bring policies for the people, and not merely things.\u00a0 Let us be  clear about on thing, a PLP Government is for the people, for all the people, a  distinct difference from what we see today from the FNM.<\/p>\n<p>Ladies and gentlemen, I don\u2019t believe political rhetoric should be the order  of the say but sound plans and programs which you will find at the core of the  PLP\u2019s message in this election!\u00a0 We have no bag like Papa, but we will have  a message of Peace Love and Prosperity for all!!!\u00a0 We are committed to a  National Economic Plans which will create not just jobs, but careers and expand  our economy and empower all Bahamians.\u00a0 And in doing so, you can rest  assured, we have a special place for Grand Bahama.\u00a0 In our plans for  economic empowerment, Grand Bahama will have a special place.\u00a0 For too long  you have been neglected.\u00a0 The type of empowerment we believe in is a belief  in what the Bahamas could be if its government shared the priorities of the  people and believed in their ability to create and innovate and own.\u00a0 A PLP  Government will support education and entrepreneurs, home ownership and a  future.\u00a0 With our current candidates in Obie Wilchcombe, Greg Moss, and Dr.  Michael Darville, you have inspiration, you have hope, you have a future you can  depend on.<\/p>\n<p>Before I close, I want to speak about a young man, a student at the College  of the Bahamas I met today.\u00a0 He is from Freeport, an independent voter.\u00a0  He expressed his shock that there has not been a clear vision for the  advancement and empowerment of Grand Bahamians and the economy of Freeport.\u00a0  With 5 MPs, and 3 Cabinet Ministers, no vision has been put forth.\u00a0 I  reassured him, the PLP has a plan, a dynamic plan where Freeport will serve as  an international hub of trade.\u00a0 It requires investment, dedication and  commitment, but it\u2019s a good plan, and under the PLP Government, it will happen.\u00a0  So I want to speak to him, and all of you out there, Hope has arrived to Grand  Bahama in the form of the Progressive Liberal Party.\u00a0 We will restore your  hope, when you feel hopeless.<\/p>\n<p>PLP!!!\u00a0\u00a0 PLP!!!\u00a0 PLP!!!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7198\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7198\" style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7198\" title=\"Drug Dealer Defender Davis\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/davis.jpg\" alt=\"Drug Dealer Defender Davis\" width=\"200\" height=\"228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/davis.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/davis-131x150.jpg 131w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7198\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Drug Dealer Defender Davis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Remarks  By Deputy Leader Philip Brave Davis:\u00a0 Ohhhhhhh look at the People!!!\u00a0  Grand Bahama We ARE READY NOW!!! Mr. Party Leader, Rt. Hon. Perry Christie and  Mrs. Christie\u2026Parliamentary Colleagues and Bahamians all across the country and  around the world\u2026Goodnight!<\/p>\n<p>Grand Bahama! Tonight I must confess that I stand here with a heavy heart!\u00a0  I am burdened by the suffering that you have been facing!\u00a0 My mind is  consumed with your concerns\u2026your pains\u2026your strife!\u00a0 Since I was here last,  200 more Grand Bahamians lost their jobs.\u00a0 These Bahamians were more than  likely the sole breadwinners of their homes. They provided the means by which  their entire family ate.\u00a0 Now their jobs are gone. The pain and suffering  has gone up higher!<\/p>\n<p>In the face of the economic challenges that Grand Bahama is experiencing I  would expect a good Bahamian government to do ALL in its power to ease the  suffering of its people!\u00a0 I would expect a good Bahamian government to  redirect the tax revenues that it collects from Grand Bahama to the people of  Grand Bahama!\u00a0 I would expect a good Bahamian government to partner with  the GBPA; not to antagonize them!\u00a0 I would expect a good Bahamian  government to sit down with the business community and work with them to find  ways to preserve jobs and lower the cost to consumers!\u00a0 I would expect a  good Bahamian government to assist laid-off workers to use this time to re-tool  and re-train!<\/p>\n<p>This corrupt government that cares more about greasing the palms of its rich  supporters has done absolutely nothing.\u00a0 They have collected hundreds of  millions of dollars in tax revenue from Grand Bahama and have given nothing  back!\u00a0 Where are the social outreach programs?\u00a0 Where are the  disbursements for housing, utility and food allowances?\u00a0 Where is the hand  that will help you to stand on your own feet?\u00a0 Where is the plan to bring  relief to Grand Bahama?\u00a0 When I was here last I told you about the windfall  the government is set to receive in taxes from the BORCO sale. How much of that  will make it back to Grand Bahamians?\u00a0Didn\u2019t Papa say, \u201cWE GAT THE MONEY?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On top of that, during the FNM government\u2019s term they have done little to  work with the Grand Bahama Port Authority.\u00a0 At one point, Papa even got  into a war of words with Sir Jack!\u00a0 Did this war help or hurt Grand  Bahamians?\u00a0 Grand Bahama these are serious times and serious times call for  serious leaders!\u00a0 This is no time to be playing politics!\u00a0 This is no  time to hold grudges. This is no time to allow your personal feelings to get in  the way of the survival of our people!\u00a0 This is no time to lose your head.\u00a0  This is certainly no time to be reckless!<\/p>\n<p>You can\u2019t bad mouth a business person Wednesday afternoon, saying that, \u201cHe  is not good for the Bahamas\u201d, claiming that they should not have been allowed to  have a business and then THAT SAME NIGHT, Customs raids that business and expect  people not to think that it was planned!\u00a0 That is stupid!\u00a0 It is the  action of a man that is clearly drunk with power! He should be thrown out of the  door! \u00a0Put outside the house and sent away packing; Grand Bahama\u2026VOTE THEM OUT!<\/p>\n<p>We need serious leaders; leaders who care more about people than they do  themselves!\u00a0 Leaders who are more loyal to their country than they are to  their Party!\u00a0 Leaders who believe in the people!<\/p>\n<p>The FNM asked the voters of the Bahamas to trust them. They campaigned on  trust &#8211; A Matter of Trust. It appears that the voters did trust them. Trust  however works both ways. How can you trust someone who doesn&#8217;t trust you? They  do not trust you to:<\/p>\n<p>Run BTC, Head URCA, Head HR at URCA, To Be the Director of Works, To be  President of COB, To Head the Department of Public Prosecutions or Build roads.<\/p>\n<p>A matter of trust they say? TRUST MY FOOT! Auntie in Cat Island Always use to  tell us, Boy, ya can\u2019t TRUST a LIAR!\u00a0 Grand Bahama\u2026VOTE THEM OUT!<\/p>\n<p>People now often like to say there is no difference between us in the PLP and  them fellas in the FNM.\u00a0 They like to say that we have more in common than  apart.\u00a0 There is a difference though and a mighty strong one at that!<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The PLP believes in the Bahamian people!\u00a0 &#8211; The PLP believes in people  over things!\u00a0 We believe in education over roads and in Bahamianization  over garage sales!\u00a0 This you can count on!\u00a0 This you can take to the  Bank!\u00a0 This you can set your clock to: Perry G. Christie and the PLP care  about you! Our Party always puts ordinary Bahamians first! We will always listen  when you speak!<\/p>\n<p>All this foolishness that the government has done would have never happened  on our watch!\u00a0 Not a day like it!<\/p>\n<p>A PLP government would NOT have fired ZNS workers and civil servants during a  recession!\u00a0 We would not be about the business of shutting off the  electricity of thousands; so school children cannot do their homework.\u00a0 A  PLP government would NOT cut funding to the Loan Scholarship Scheme yet spend  over $200 Million dollars on roads!\u00a0 A PLP government would NOT have raised  taxes on the poor and then give concessions to the rich!\u00a0 A PLP government  would NOT hurt farmers and slash the grants like the FNM did to farmers all over  the country!\u00a0 A PLP government would never kill the middle class and ignore  the cries and the pleas of the people!\u00a0 A PLP government would NOT have  done these things because of its central belief: A GOVERNMENT MUST SUPPORT THE  PEOPLE!<\/p>\n<p>A government is supposed to help you when you getting mash up! It ain\u2019t  supposed to mash you up more!\u00a0 A government is supposed to give its people  first opportunity; not deny them in favour of foreigners!\u00a0 This is what  separates us from them!\u00a0 We are for Bahamians!\u00a0 Bahamians first!<\/p>\n<p>Grand Bahama\u2026I SAY VOTE THEM OUT!<\/p>\n<p>As I close tonight, I want to say one last thing to you.\u00a0 Grand Bahama\u2026listen  carefully.\u00a0 There are moments in the life of a country that go on to define  it for years to come.\u00a0 There are single moments in time that forever shape  the future.\u00a0 Our moment is NOW!\u00a0 We are facing what is perhaps the  most important fight since Majority Rule and Independence!\u00a0 We are fighting  to maintain control of this country and economy for Bahamians!<\/p>\n<p>This is our moment Grand Bahama!\u00a0 This is our time to act!\u00a0 We need  you to save our Bahamas for the next generation of Bahamians!\u00a0 This is a  movement Grand Bahama that is beyond PLP vs. FNM, race colour or creed. This is  a battle as Sir Lynden once said, \u201cFor the soul of our Nation!<\/p>\n<p>Join us!\u00a0 Come with us! Go to out and register to VOTE! BE BRAVE GRAND  BAHAMA!\u00a0 Show them this is now PLP COUNTRY!!!!<\/p>\n<p>Vote for your future! Vote for your country! Vote for your children! Vote  PLP!<\/p>\n<p>PLP! PLP! PLP! God Bless and Goodnight!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It is hard to believe that anyone, except really stupid Bahamians, could possibly believe the garbage spouted by corrupt and conniving PLP politicians.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_10223285771444175_51037792744":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[93,60],"class_list":["post-7193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-opinions","tag-corruption","tag-plp"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7193"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7193\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}