A good approach to politics
The Democratic National Alliance (DNA), or the green party as it is called by some, is hosting yet another town hall meeting Wednesday. This one will be on the topic of education. The party has previously held town hall meetings on crime and immigration.
The new party should keep it up. Town hall meetings are a bit more intellectually involved than Bahamian political rallies. At these meetings there is a topic, the audience is more sober and seated and there is a speaker. The audience then gets to ask questions – not all of which are friendly.
The give and take of the town hall meeting means that politicians have to be prepared for challenges. Rally goers are different as compared to those who would prefer to go to a town hall meeting.
Rallies are glorified parties in The Bahamas these days. A good part of the audience is intoxicated and waiting to be entertained by speakers who provide much noise and little substance. And as those rally speakers deliver their empty lines, loud music is usually played. This makes it clear to those assembled that the main purpose of the event is not to listen, but to have a good time.
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Free National Movement (FNM) love rallies. The new party would do well to continue to appeal to the mind. The Bahamas has serious problems.
Our largest private sector employer, Atlantis, is in debt restructuring negotiations in order to avoid default and foreclosure; there will be a fourth homicide record in five years this year; our economy has been weak and unemployment high since the financial crisis of 2008; the roadwork on New Providence is causing serious movement problems; and several islands are recovering from being directly hit by Hurricane Irene.
In this context, we do not need ‘rally talk’. We do not need to hear about who did what to his sweetheart or who is weak and who is strong. We need policy, dialogue and solutions.
At this stage in the history of The Bahamas, we need leaders who are sober and like to think. We do not need dancers or entertainers who are masters at using rally stages to waste the time of the people.
Bahamians should always engage with politicians when they seek to analyze and discuss issues for the purpose of coming up with good policies. We should also ignore the frivolous and the silly. People change dysfunctional culture.
We are nearing the peak of election season in serious times and as a people we must mature politically. By doing so, we will force the parties to organize more sensible fora such as town hall meetings and debates and fewer drunken parties at the forts and public parks.
Sep 12, 2011
