For sake of country: Vote no on web shops
Front Porch
BY SIMON
The biggest loser in a yes vote to “support the regulation and taxation of web shop gaming” will be the Bahamian people. It should be noted that while that is the language of the proposed referendum question, the issue is really whether to legalize what is currently a criminal enterprise.
The chief honchos of a yes vote on web shops want a no vote on a national lottery: Just about everybody wins with a national lottery, while only a few win with the legalization of web shops.
For the sake of country, Bahamians should vote no to the greed of a few who may literally laugh all the way to the bank, if not seek to open a bank, to deposit their jackpot of profits galore.
The crap game to allow for the legalization of web shops has generally been promoted by a coalition of self interests bent on maximizing personal gain and greed at the expense of the broader interests of the vast majority of Bahamians.
The big winners in a yes vote may be a briar patch of certain criminal enterprises and their paid agents, alongside a wheel of fortune of certain politicians in hock to their paymasters.
Then there are certain reverend gentlemen who are delighted to have the money changers right up front in the sanctuary of the temple. The love of money may be the root of certain evil inasmuch as it may be the root of hypocrisy of biblical proportions.
The legalization of all forms of gambling is opposed by some. For others, various forms of gambling are not inherently unethical. For the latter, the ethical and policy questions concern what forms of gambling and how gambling is to be administered, regulated and taxed.
These ethical and policy questions involve what kind of lottery system would be best for the country in terms of who would receive the greater benefit of funds generated by a lottery.
Initiatives
With a national lottery, most of the funds should go to the Public Treasury, utilized for public purposes like a greater number of scholarships for students, more financial support for culture, sports, youth programs and other initiatives of social good.
A concern and caveat: It remains uncertain what the government means by a national lottery, who will run such an enterprise, and how profits are to be distributed.
But, if there is a majority yes vote on a national lottery, it can be redeveloped into a more progressive lottery over time if the current administration fails to develop the type of national lottery more beneficial to the greater good.
In voting yes for web shops, the bulk of the millions would be jammed into the already overflowing coffers and overstuffed vaults of a few to be used for their private pleasure, making some people wealthier while starving the public purse of badly needed funds needed to empower working Bahamians.
In saying yes to web shops, voters would be saying a resounding no to the needs of the children and future generations of Bahamians. In terms of social justice and the needs of the poor and working class Bahamians, a government-owned national lottery is overwhelmingly more in the interest of the country.
The intense yes vote drive for web cafes has littered the country with billboards, t-shirts, broadcast commercials, social media efforts, jingles, giveaways, rum-soaked parties and other means of enticing and inducing voters.
Was any of the largesse for this slick campaign from illegally-derived funds? What does it say about our democracy if the funds for certain campaigns related to the yes vote are not from legal sources? And how much have they spent? Millions?
Does the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) have reason to investigate the source of funds being used to run certain broadcast ads?
Unseemly
The yes vote extravaganza has a democratic right to engage in such an orgy and frenzy of enticement and inducement. Yet it has mostly been unseemly. Some of the activities coincided with the Christmas season, mocking the spirit of gift-giving by raffling gifts more out of seeming self-interest than true generosity.
In many lower income neighborhoods there are signs encouraging poorer Bahamians to vote yes to further enrich numbers bosses secure in gated enclaves where they may count their many millions in splendor and comfort.
What will help to educate and empower greater numbers of poorer Bahamians will be the greater amount of dedicated funds from a national lottery rather than the lesser amount of taxes derived from the proceeds of web shops.
It is nauseating to watch as some pretend to be Robin Hood, though they more resemble the Sheriff of Nottingham, who happily banked the wealth of the poor to enrich his pocket and ambitions. And, make no mistake, the web shop millions are made up of the dollars of many Bahamians who can least afford it.
The ratings group Moody's Investors Service recently “downgraded its sovereign credit rating for The Bahamas by one notch to Baa1, citing limited economic growth prospects”.
With the need for increased revenues relative to the government’s annual deficit and the country’s overall debt, a national lottery would generate a greater amount of funds dedicated to various areas of the national budget, especially those areas that are likely to be the first victims of spending cuts.
A national lottery is no panacea on issues of deficit and debt. But a national lottery may better help to address both more so than legalizing web shops, from which the country would generate less critically needed revenue.
Those uncertain as to whether they will vote, have a self-interest and a patriotic obligation to vote. In abstaining from voting, one may very well help advance the narrower interests of some.
The upcoming referendum is not about PLP or FNM. It is about country first. The way to box the choice on January 28 is to vote no on web shops and to vote yes on a national lottery.
thenassauguardian
• frontporchguardian@gmail.com
www.bahamapundit.com
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label Referendum Bahamas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Referendum Bahamas. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
There are numerous benefits that can be derived by voting YES in the impending January 28, 2013 referendum
Why vote? Why vote yes?
BY PHILIP C. GALANIS
This year, as we begin to celebrate 40 years of independence, the Christie administration is determined to focus the nation’s attention and get its input on several important matters that have either been present in our lives for the past four decades, or that may become an important part of our future. In order to accomplish this objective, Mr. Christie has foreshadowed three instances in which his government will invite the populace to express its views on issues of national importance. The first will be a non-constitutional referendum on regulating and taxing web shop operations and establishing a national lottery on January 28 of this year.
Secondly, a constitutional referendum is foreshadowed sometime before we celebrate our 40th independence anniversary. The government also plans to conduct another non-constitutional referendum on the issue of whether or not to permit oil exploration in our pristine waters sometime thereafter.
This week we would like to Consider This… in the upcoming referendum on January 28, should Bahamians vote and how should they vote?
An historical first
This month’s referendum will be the first time in Bahamian history that a non-constitutional referendum will be held. We have heard the objections of some who ask: Why do we need a referendum on these matters? The simple answer is that a referendum is not really required. However, unlike his predecessor in office, the current prime minister is a consensus builder, a quintessential democrat who believes that such fundamental policies should be informed by public discourse, debate and deliberation, not just the Cabinet or prime ministerial directive.
The religious argument
There are some in our society who have sought to reduce their opposition to the regulation and taxation of web shops and the establishment of a national lottery to Biblical precepts. However, they are hard-pressed to support their tenuous positions. There is not a single, direct Biblical text which posits that participation in gaming activities is either sinful or offensive to God. Not one! Sure, there are some references that can be “interpreted” as tangentially supportive of such an hypothesis, but as regards a specific divine prohibition, the Scriptures are silent. The infinitely more learned theological scholars who head the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Methodist congregations in our community have themselves resisted such an untenable translation of the Holy Scriptures. It would be instructive for the uninformed to read the pastoral letters that were recently issued by the Roman and Anglican prelates on this subject. So much for a firm basis for a religious argument against the subject of the referendum.
The economic argument
If we accept the assertions of experts in The Bahamas, the gaming industry here is just that – an industry. The web shops, by their own admission, account for an annual turnover of $300 to $400 million and employ more than 3,000 Bahamians, arguably our third largest industry after tourism and financial services. This revenue, however, remains outside the real economy because we have chosen, like the proverbial ostrich, to bury our heads in the sand and quietly pretend that it does not exist. The unfortunate reality is that such denial has the effect of criminalizing the activity of at least 50,000 participants, keeping it in the “underground economy”, unregulated and untaxed. The same can be said for the operators who have personified an entrepreneurial spirit.
If we conservatively accept that the taxes that we do not collect from this industry represent at least $10 million annually, an extremely conservative estimate by any stretch, then, since our independence 40 years ago, the government has failed to collect a minimum of $400 million in tax revenue during that period from this underground economic powerhouse. Imagine what could have been accomplished by having that kind of revenue stream in our public coffers over the past four decades. Imagine what kind of good could be done for our future by introducing that kind of revenue stream now.
This injection of revenue does not include other benefits such as payroll, contributions to National Insurance, telecommunications and electricity income, rental income and stamp taxes from financial and real estate transactions, just to mention a few.
The ethical argument
There are ethical considerations that should be factored into the gaming equation. The current state of affairs criminalizes persons – both operators and participants – who engage in such gaming activities. On the one hand, because of the existing legal construct, we have accepted that it is perfectly permissible for Bahamians to participate in lotteries and other gaming activities when we travel abroad. However, the minute we return to our shores, we are instantaneously morphed into criminals if we wish to engage in the very same activity in which we participated abroad. This reality represents the highest form of hypocrisy and is symptomatic of a severe case of national schizophrenia. Such behavior results in a form of national insanity that borders on the idiotic.
Why vote? Why vote yes?
There are numerous benefits that can be derived by voting yes in the impending referendum.
• A yes vote will legally recognize a reality that has been an integral and ingrained part of our community and culture for many decades.
• A yes vote will positively contribute to our national coffers by providing additional revenue that is presently beyond the reach of the government.
• A yes vote will enable us to truly diversify our economy.
• A yes vote will foster a well-regulated industry that will emerge from the shadows into the light.
• A yes vote will open a new industry not only for the present operators, but also for those who qualify for future operations.
• A yes vote will open this industry to also include groups of entrepreneurial Bahamians as well as companies who could finance their gaming enterprises by offering shares to the public, making this industry truly open and owned by the public.
• A yes vote will enable the government to have additional funds to allocate for education, sports, culture and public health initiatives.
• A yes vote will open the possibility of creating a school of entrepreneurship established by these Bahamian entrepreneurs who can also impart their industry experience by mentoring young Bahamians.
• A yes vote will prevent us from having to continue to expend exponentially large funds in policing an illegal and unregulated industry.
• A yes vote will enable us to prevent the possibility of falling into the trap of having our country blacklisted by powerful forces beyond our borders who will surely insist that we are contributing to money laundering and the funding of terrorist activities.
Conclusion
In the upcoming referendum on January 28, it will be important to exercise our right as citizens to be heard when our government asks our opinion. If we do not use this, our very first opportunity to be heard in this manner, we endanger ever being asked again. This is an expensive exercise that government will not likely undertake again if the citizens do not respond. Should the turnout be small, history will see this as a setback to the broader and more inclusive new democracy we are being offered with this referendum.
On referendum day, it will be important for us to vote and to vote yes.
• Philip C. Galanis is the managing partner of HLB Galanis & Co., Chartered Accountants, Forensic & Litigation Support Services. He served 15 years in Parliament. Please send your comments to:pgalanis@gmail.com
January 07, 2013
thenassauguardian
BY PHILIP C. GALANIS
This year, as we begin to celebrate 40 years of independence, the Christie administration is determined to focus the nation’s attention and get its input on several important matters that have either been present in our lives for the past four decades, or that may become an important part of our future. In order to accomplish this objective, Mr. Christie has foreshadowed three instances in which his government will invite the populace to express its views on issues of national importance. The first will be a non-constitutional referendum on regulating and taxing web shop operations and establishing a national lottery on January 28 of this year.
Secondly, a constitutional referendum is foreshadowed sometime before we celebrate our 40th independence anniversary. The government also plans to conduct another non-constitutional referendum on the issue of whether or not to permit oil exploration in our pristine waters sometime thereafter.
This week we would like to Consider This… in the upcoming referendum on January 28, should Bahamians vote and how should they vote?
An historical first
This month’s referendum will be the first time in Bahamian history that a non-constitutional referendum will be held. We have heard the objections of some who ask: Why do we need a referendum on these matters? The simple answer is that a referendum is not really required. However, unlike his predecessor in office, the current prime minister is a consensus builder, a quintessential democrat who believes that such fundamental policies should be informed by public discourse, debate and deliberation, not just the Cabinet or prime ministerial directive.
The religious argument
There are some in our society who have sought to reduce their opposition to the regulation and taxation of web shops and the establishment of a national lottery to Biblical precepts. However, they are hard-pressed to support their tenuous positions. There is not a single, direct Biblical text which posits that participation in gaming activities is either sinful or offensive to God. Not one! Sure, there are some references that can be “interpreted” as tangentially supportive of such an hypothesis, but as regards a specific divine prohibition, the Scriptures are silent. The infinitely more learned theological scholars who head the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Methodist congregations in our community have themselves resisted such an untenable translation of the Holy Scriptures. It would be instructive for the uninformed to read the pastoral letters that were recently issued by the Roman and Anglican prelates on this subject. So much for a firm basis for a religious argument against the subject of the referendum.
The economic argument
If we accept the assertions of experts in The Bahamas, the gaming industry here is just that – an industry. The web shops, by their own admission, account for an annual turnover of $300 to $400 million and employ more than 3,000 Bahamians, arguably our third largest industry after tourism and financial services. This revenue, however, remains outside the real economy because we have chosen, like the proverbial ostrich, to bury our heads in the sand and quietly pretend that it does not exist. The unfortunate reality is that such denial has the effect of criminalizing the activity of at least 50,000 participants, keeping it in the “underground economy”, unregulated and untaxed. The same can be said for the operators who have personified an entrepreneurial spirit.
If we conservatively accept that the taxes that we do not collect from this industry represent at least $10 million annually, an extremely conservative estimate by any stretch, then, since our independence 40 years ago, the government has failed to collect a minimum of $400 million in tax revenue during that period from this underground economic powerhouse. Imagine what could have been accomplished by having that kind of revenue stream in our public coffers over the past four decades. Imagine what kind of good could be done for our future by introducing that kind of revenue stream now.
This injection of revenue does not include other benefits such as payroll, contributions to National Insurance, telecommunications and electricity income, rental income and stamp taxes from financial and real estate transactions, just to mention a few.
The ethical argument
There are ethical considerations that should be factored into the gaming equation. The current state of affairs criminalizes persons – both operators and participants – who engage in such gaming activities. On the one hand, because of the existing legal construct, we have accepted that it is perfectly permissible for Bahamians to participate in lotteries and other gaming activities when we travel abroad. However, the minute we return to our shores, we are instantaneously morphed into criminals if we wish to engage in the very same activity in which we participated abroad. This reality represents the highest form of hypocrisy and is symptomatic of a severe case of national schizophrenia. Such behavior results in a form of national insanity that borders on the idiotic.
Why vote? Why vote yes?
There are numerous benefits that can be derived by voting yes in the impending referendum.
• A yes vote will legally recognize a reality that has been an integral and ingrained part of our community and culture for many decades.
• A yes vote will positively contribute to our national coffers by providing additional revenue that is presently beyond the reach of the government.
• A yes vote will enable us to truly diversify our economy.
• A yes vote will foster a well-regulated industry that will emerge from the shadows into the light.
• A yes vote will open a new industry not only for the present operators, but also for those who qualify for future operations.
• A yes vote will open this industry to also include groups of entrepreneurial Bahamians as well as companies who could finance their gaming enterprises by offering shares to the public, making this industry truly open and owned by the public.
• A yes vote will enable the government to have additional funds to allocate for education, sports, culture and public health initiatives.
• A yes vote will open the possibility of creating a school of entrepreneurship established by these Bahamian entrepreneurs who can also impart their industry experience by mentoring young Bahamians.
• A yes vote will prevent us from having to continue to expend exponentially large funds in policing an illegal and unregulated industry.
• A yes vote will enable us to prevent the possibility of falling into the trap of having our country blacklisted by powerful forces beyond our borders who will surely insist that we are contributing to money laundering and the funding of terrorist activities.
Conclusion
In the upcoming referendum on January 28, it will be important to exercise our right as citizens to be heard when our government asks our opinion. If we do not use this, our very first opportunity to be heard in this manner, we endanger ever being asked again. This is an expensive exercise that government will not likely undertake again if the citizens do not respond. Should the turnout be small, history will see this as a setback to the broader and more inclusive new democracy we are being offered with this referendum.
On referendum day, it will be important for us to vote and to vote yes.
• Philip C. Galanis is the managing partner of HLB Galanis & Co., Chartered Accountants, Forensic & Litigation Support Services. He served 15 years in Parliament. Please send your comments to:pgalanis@gmail.com
January 07, 2013
thenassauguardian
Friday, January 4, 2013
2013 Gambling Referendum Issues: ... ...since we are dealing with gaming ...the question as to whether Bahamians and permanent residents ought to be allowed to gamble in the casinos of The Bahamas should have been a consideration by way of the impending January 28, 2013 referendum
Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Press Release: Christie Government....A Missed Opportunity
Three weeks before the Referendum on Gaming, the Christie Administration has revealed the questions to be posed on the 28th January 2013. In a National Address to the nation last night, the Honorable Dr. Bernard Nottage said that the two questions are: Do you support the regulation and taxation of web shop gaming and do you support the establishment of a National Lottery?
There are concerns with these questions as presented.
Firstly, are the two questions going to be on the same ballot or will there be two distinct questions? This has to be clarified and we ask the government to clarify their position as soon as possible.
Secondly, in connection with the question…Do you support regulation and taxation of web shop gaming, this question presupposes the legalization of web shops. The question should have been, “Do you support the legalization, regulation and taxation of web shop gaming?” The question for the Christie Government is what about the legalization of web shops and its operations? This concern seems to have been overlooked by the government.
The fact of the matter is that no matter how you vote in connection with this question, there is a predetermined position. If you vote yes…then regulation and taxation would be in place. If you vote no…then web shops and their operations would remain in the same position as they were prior to the referendum. I ask the government to kindly answer this particular concern. What happens to the web shops if there is a no vote for its regulation and taxation?
In addition, what regulations are we, the Bahamian people voting for? This government has not informed the Bahamian people of this information. Do they intend to do so before the referendum? I think it is necessary. Further, how would taxation be effected? We have no answers to this! If it is regulated, are there going to be any sanctions placed on those who were operating unregulated for all these years? What would be the preconditions to those who wish to be regulated?
In connection with the question on the establishment of a National lottery, what has caused the Prime Minister to change his mind on this question? You would indeed remember that during the election campaign the Prime Minister said that they would hold a referendum on whether there ought to be a national lottery. After the election, the Prime Minister said that he consulted with a foreign entity and was advised that a national lottery would not work in the Bahamas. This certainly is indicative that the Prime Minister did not do his research prior to the election and during the campaign said certain things for political expediency! Now the Prime Minister has placed the question of the National Lottery on the ballot. The question we, as Bahamians, would like to know is what changed the Prime Minister’s mind. We have not todate seen the report as mentioned previously, we are not aware of how much we, the Bahamian people, had to pay for the said report and no explanation has been given to the Bahamian people as to why the Prime Minister is now rejecting the conclusion of the report. The Prime Minister was elected by the Bahamian people to act on their behalf and in the best interest of the Bahamian people. We are entitled to know the answers to these questions!
Finally, since we are dealing with gaming, the question as to whether Bahamians and permanent residents ought to be allowed to gamble in the casinos should have been a consideration by way of referendum.
The government has a lot of questions to answer and again has missed a prime opportunity to properly enhance our democracy!
Branville McCartney
DNA Leader
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) says:... ...Despite all the talk to the contrary by Prime Minister Perry Christie and his administration in the past few months... the recent announcement in the House of Assembly on the proposed “numbers” referendum is the clearest indication ...and saddest reminder to the Bahamian public yet ...that this administration is in the hands and pockets of the illegal numbers’ men... December 3, 2012 will be nothing more than payback day for services rendered
DNA Chairman Calls December 3rd Referendum Christie Administration’s Attempt to “Payback” for Numbers’ Support
To reasonably thinking Bahamians who are taking note of the vamped up public relations campaign now underway by Mr. Christie and the numbers’ businesses whose cause he seems to be championing, it is obvious that they are betting on the ignorance and desperation of poor, downtrodden black Bahamians to get their “snake oil” remedy for our pressing social ills made legal. It is the DNA’s hope that Bahamians will not buy what they are selling.
This administration gave the Bahamian people a “snake oil” sales job during the election campaign, and for what they have gotten thus far, Bahamians are now having buyer’s remorse. It would be a shame if they fall for the same old fool talk coming from this administration on this issue as well.
If the choice is ours and Bahamians are supposed to be considering the legalization of “gambling” in the country, a national lottery should also be put on the table next to these illegal numbers operations for consideration as well. It is ridiculous to think that the numbers racket can rake up money enough to be a financially successful operation here in the Bahamas but a national lottery cannot. If Bahamians were to fall for this, the DNA wonders what other kinds of crazy Houdini act and ponzi schemes they would be willing to have this Prime Minister and his administration run on them again.
If the government says it stands to make upwards of $20 million in taxes annually, then that would mean that the take home profits for these numbers businesses can potentially run somewhere in the vicinity of $200 to $350 million a year. How is $20 million more beneficial to social development than $200 million? And if these numbers’ businesses can generate those kinds of revenue, then why can’t the government with its own National Lottery for education, sports, and social programs? Why should the government have it hands out waiting for proceeds when it can make its own proceeds?
It does not make sense that the government should only be concerned with getting proceeds from taxes to take care of social programming when it could control all the proceeds by simply enacting a national lottery – if it is going to make chance gaming legal. Again, for the most part, it does not make sense, and the Bahamian people should demand their government take its time and make sense out of this seeming idiocy.
This administration used taxpayers’ dollars to have their British consultants come here to tell us a national lottery will not work “at this time;” now Bahamian people should demand that the Prime Minister’s office release the whole report so that we can all see how this hired group arrived at their conclusion - because the math just does not add up. It is time that we not allow our choices to be limited based on someone else’s reporting, unless we are privy to the report and can verify it as such. So we are calling on the Prime Minister to make the report public.
In their times of hardship and woe, the Bahamian people are looking to their government to come up with real and lasting solutions to their social pains. They no longer want governments who use their bully pulpit to continually shove choices on them that have no meaningful impact on their lives and their upward mobility.
More importantly, they are growing wearisome of this administration as it continues attempting to make a mockery of the system, them, and their constitutional rights as citizens of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The DNA suggests that if this administration seriously cares about Bahamians it should demonstrate it by protecting their constitution right to free choice in their own country by offering them “free” choice.
If this Christie administration seeks to put to the Bahamian people any referendum on gambling that does not include a Bahamian’s right to gamble in the local casinos, any question that does not include a Bahamian National Lottery, as well as a question of whether they can own interest in chance gaming, then it continues to show its cowardice to do what is truly in the best interest of Bahamians. The DNA hopes that this second-chance Christie administration owns up and does bolster its reputation as a “sell-out/bought out” administration.
British physicist Stephen Hawking says that, as a people, “We are in danger of destroying ourselves by our greed and stupidity.” With each passing day leading to what has now gone from a proposed referendum on gambling to a referendum on legalizing the numbers business, we in the DNA hope that the Bahamian people will not become consumed – nor allow their government to have them become sufficiently consumed - by either greed or stupidity to prove Hawking’s theory correct. The future of a whole society is dependent on it.
We challenge Prime Minister Christie to reconsider his recent unashamed tactic to lead this cause for the legalization of the numbers business by playing on the nation’s emotional ignorance and fears of Bahamians. It not only comes across as unbecoming of a Prime Minister, but it also illuminates what most have come to fear - that this administration is indeed in bed with the persons who now run these illegal operations.
This administration can expect that, until such time as it puts to the Bahamian people a referendum that is reflective of real choice, it will continue to hear the DNA speak out and challenge them on this matter - right up to December 3rd.
Mark Humes
DNA Chairman
Tuesday November 06, 2012 - via e-mail
Caribbean Blog International
The Free National Movement (FNM) believes that Prime Minister Perry Christie is moving with uncharacteristic speed to push through a referendum ...followed by legislation to legalize the numbers business
PM Christie’s Rush on to Legalize the Numbers Business
What is the RUSH? Will haste make for more wasted lives?
Prime Minister Christie is moving with uncharacteristic speed to push through a referendum followed by legislation to legalize the numbers business. The Free National Movement believes this is the wrong thing to do. We agree with others in the religious and civic communities that he needs to slow down and be a lot more thoughtful and deliberate.
The most recent community leader to echo this sentiment is Rev. Dr; Myles Munroe who has highlighted points that others have raised: the process is being rushed; there has been insufficient time for contemplation; it is unfair to ask people to make such a big decision with “very little information”; there is no reported (local) research on the impact gambling has had in Bahamian communities or on the likely long-term impact if the web-shop and similar gambling are legalized. These are all legitimate points that remand careful consideration.
The Prime Minister needs to slow down. There needs to be an opportunity for the Bahamian people to understand and appreciate all of the issues. If the government truly has no “horse in the race”, then certainly there is no logical need to rush.
With back to school only just behind us, the Christmas holiday on the horizon and the repairs and replacements needed because of the devastation of ”Sandy”, it would be ill advised to ask people who may be at their most vulnerable to seriously consider any decision on gambling at this time.
It is obvious that a thorough and extensive report is needed as to the economic, psychological, cultural and moral impact that this activity has on our country today and potentially the future.
During its tour of Family Island communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy, the FNM was once again reminded of another storm that has been striking Family Island communities for several years; that of the proliferation of gambling houses.
In point of fact, community leaders have expressed alarm. Gambling has become so pervasive and socially damaging that these leaders report that more and more residents seem to lose the passion for work, in favour of staking theirs and their families’ futures on “winning big” in the gambling houses. The impact has been very real and very damaging to the social fabric in Family island communities.
This pattern has become so pervasive that one school principal advised the FNM that primary school children spend significant amounts of their time plotting out which numbers to buy and how to win. The principal describes the impact on young people as an epidemic.
It is imperative that a responsible government take the time to determine the extent to which these anecdotal stories are localized to only one or a few communities or whether this decay is the reality across the entire Bahamas.
Cart before the horse
The growing number of concerns from responsible leaders of the civic and religious communities and average Bahamians again raise the question of whether the Prime Minister’s approach is backwards. It seems clearer than ever, that the right approach is for the government to exhaustively study this matter then, following widespread consultation with all stakeholders, bring and act to parliament accompanied by the proposed referendum question or questions. The legislative and consultation process will afford everyone an opportunity to study the reports of the Prime Minister’s so-called experts…before a decision is made. No other approach seems fair or reasonable…or responsible for that matter.
Financial priorities
The cost to provide financial aid to communities hit hard by Hurricane Sandy should also cause the government to eliminate the financial costs of a rushed and ill-conceived referendum.
November 1, 2012
fnm2012.org
Sunday, September 23, 2012
...the proposed gambling referendum could be dead on arrival (DOA)
By Dennis Dames
As the news surfaces about the upcoming gambling referendum and the possible questions on its ballot – one thing is certain, and that is: the confusion mounts. Are we going to vote half of the way or the full nine yards on Bahamians gambling in The Bahamas?
Is the referendum going to be about a national lottery, legalizing web shops, casino gambling for Bahamians, or what? The success of the vote will depend on the ballot menu.
Some Bahamians voters want the whole hog; which is the legalization of all forms of gambling for the native gamblers period. Others simply want to do their thing in the web shops without having to look over their shoulders for a possible law enforcement raid. Then, there are those among us who want to play numbers exclusively; whether it’s lotto, lottery, Island Luck, Flowers, Asue Draw and so on and so forth.
Does the government of The Bahamas intends to please all the Bahamian gamblers with the referendum questions or only some? Is it really fair to still have tourists gambling in certain places and Bahamians in others - when the smoke of the vote is cleared?
Do we actually know what we are doing in relations to the proposed referendum? I agree that the Christie administration has enough votes in the Bahamian parliament to do whatever they want in regards to the gambling question for Bahamians in The Bahamas.
It looks like the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is playing with fire in relations to legalized gambling for Bahamians in their country, as there is no guarantee that the “yes” vote will prevail in the referendum. If it doesn’t, do Perry Christie and the PLP have the guts to close down every illegal gambling establishment in the country?
I doubt it.
So, it is my view that the PLP government could be setting itself up for a major defeat with their proposed impending referendum on gambling for the Bahamian gamblers in The Bahamas.
It is a grossly false assumption for one to postulate that every Bahamian who gambles in some form or another in these islands - will tow a line on referendum day, and vote yes or no to whatever the questions are – in my humble opinion. Many Pastors will ensure that their flock is motivated on voting day to defeat the gambling for Bahamians question.
So again I say, that the powers that be - is playing a serious game of political Russian roulette with this gambling matter for Bahamians; which could result in the political demise of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).
Be progressive Mr. Christie, and move in the Bahamian Parliament to settle the gambling for Bahamian concerns once and for all. If tourists could gamble legally in our beloved country, then – we Bahamians must be able to do so too. There is nothing complicated about this; except to say that the proposed gambling referendum could be dead on arrival (DOA).Sunday September 23, 2012
Caribbean Blog International
Sunday, September 16, 2012
The government of The Bahamas must commit to investment in renewable energy technologies ...Diversifying the energy portfolio of The Bahamas is an act that does not require a referendum
Choosing a scapegoat for oil exploration
Drilling for oil in The Bahamas is a contentious issue, yet it is one that can only be resolved by moving the process forward. Under the previous administration, the process was delayed when a moratorium was placed on oil exploration in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon spill. And now, the government has feigned decisiveness by confirming compliance with license requirements subject to a public referendum on oil exploration and drilling.
While public involvement is the foundation of a democracy, public officials are elected because they encompass the qualities and intellect to lead and implement policies that positively impact future generations. When needed, government officials seek expert advice and consultation to steer technical policy decisions.
Oil drilling carries a heavy burden because the economic benefits are vast yet clouded by the potential for an environmental disaster and corruption. This confluence of socio-economic and environmental factors compounded by cutting-edge technology requires a team of experts to model, analyze and report various scenarios to the layman.
Will the people be adequately informed and educated on oil drilling specific to The Bahamas? For a country with a dearth of technical professions, it seems very unlikely that voters will be fully prepared to make this very important decision.
Unfortunately, whether members of the public approve or reject oil drilling in The Bahamas, they will be the scapegoat for the lack of political will by either governing party, the Free National Movement (FNM) or Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), to make a decision.
A referendum should not be used as a political ploy to deflect responsibility.
Even if the last exploratory well was drilled in 1986, why has the government decided that it now requires a public referendum? Credible attempts to add The Bahamas to the list of oil producing countries have been on-going for the past 60 years.
A frenzy of activity occurred between 1945 and 1971 followed by a subsequent gap until 1982 when amended petroleum legislation stimulated a brief renewal in interest. Licenses were held at one time by Chevron, Texaco, Mobile and other principle operators still largely recognizable today.
Unlike previous attempts, the combination of technological advancements, the rise in crude oil prices and the continued expenditure of resources by BPC, this may well be the first time in Bahamian history that oil extraction becomes possible as a viable industry.
With the Deepwater Horizon spill still featuring prominently in discourse, the government may fear a public relations disaster by endorsing oil exploration. But the physical conditions south of Andros differ vastly from the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Bahamas is in a perilous economic state with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) noting the GDP-to-debt ratio approaching 60 percent in part because of “contingent liabilities among public corporations such as the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC)”. In an ironic twist of fate, the very industry under scrutiny holds the country hostage for energy production because oil prices continue to rise.
But statements from the IMF touting the potential revenues based on the size of oil deposits should be carefully regarded. Lessening The Bahamas’ reliance on petroleum products for energy production would be a significant economic stimulus, and oil revenues, if approved and if extracted, would be an added bonus. The Bahamas cannot wait and count on prospective oil resources to become self-sufficient.
The government of The Bahamas must commit to investment in renewable energy technologies. Diversifying the energy portfolio of The Bahamas is an act that does not require a referendum.
Sep 11, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
The promised referendum on oil drilling in The Bahamas is likely to be held some time in 2013 - according to Prime Minister Perry Christie
Oil Vote To Be Held Next Year
By CELESTE NIXON
Tribune Staff Reporter
cnixon@tribunemedia.net
THE promised referendum on oil drilling is likely to be held some time next year, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday.
Speaking outside Cabinet yesterday, Mr Christie said the government hopes to tackle the issue in 2013, but only if certain other factors fall into place.
“We are continuing to talk to those people who are applicants,” he said, “but as I have indicated before, oil drilling will only take place if the Bahamian people approve it through a referendum.
“It will happen next year some time, and if in fact we are ready, as I anticipate to be with the constitutional review at the end of March. By then (the oil drilling issue) will have the developments that will enable us to look at the question of a referendum.”
Shortly after the election, Environment Minister Ken Dorsett said certain “assessments” had to take place before oil exploration could begin.
According to the 2011 annual report by the Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC), the government is working towards establishing a regulatory framework for gas and oil extraction.
“Completion of the Bahamian elections ahead of their May 2012 deadline and timely progress towards implementation of revised laws, statutes and enabling regulations covering hydrocarbon exploration will promote accelerated activity,” he said. “The government is working to put the regulation in place to oversee oil and gas activity. We expect these regulations to be in place prior to our drilling.”
When the report was released in late May, Mr Dorsett said he could not comment on it.
“I haven’t read the report so I cannot comment on any statements they have made,” he said.
Tensions over oil drilling in the Bahamas increased in the weeks leading up to the election after it became known that Prime Minister Christie was a former consultant for the oil company’s Bahamian legal team.
Mr Christie said he was hired through the law firm of Davis & Co, which was headed by now Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.
Graham Thompson & Co, of which former PLP attorney general Sean McWeeney is a partner, was also listed on the BPC’s website, as was PLP candidate for Killarney Jerome Gomez as its resident manager. However, Mr Gomez lost the Killarney constituency on May 7 to Dr. Hubert Minnis.
In late May, BPC said they are not discouraged by the fact that oil testing off the coast of Cuba yielded no results.
BPC chief operating officer Paul Gucwa said that while successful drilling in Cuba would have been encouraging, the results do not mean there is no oil in the Bahamas, nor does it affect oil drilling efforts.
Dr Gucwa added BPC intends to drill in a different geographical area and from their research it was not unexpected that the Scarabeo-9 drilling off the northwest of Cuba hit a dry well.
“A good result in their drilling would have been good news – however, from our research it was an expected result,” he said.
September 05, 2012 Tribune242
By CELESTE NIXON
Tribune Staff Reporter
cnixon@tribunemedia.net
THE promised referendum on oil drilling is likely to be held some time next year, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday.
Speaking outside Cabinet yesterday, Mr Christie said the government hopes to tackle the issue in 2013, but only if certain other factors fall into place.
“We are continuing to talk to those people who are applicants,” he said, “but as I have indicated before, oil drilling will only take place if the Bahamian people approve it through a referendum.
“It will happen next year some time, and if in fact we are ready, as I anticipate to be with the constitutional review at the end of March. By then (the oil drilling issue) will have the developments that will enable us to look at the question of a referendum.”
Shortly after the election, Environment Minister Ken Dorsett said certain “assessments” had to take place before oil exploration could begin.
According to the 2011 annual report by the Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC), the government is working towards establishing a regulatory framework for gas and oil extraction.
“Completion of the Bahamian elections ahead of their May 2012 deadline and timely progress towards implementation of revised laws, statutes and enabling regulations covering hydrocarbon exploration will promote accelerated activity,” he said. “The government is working to put the regulation in place to oversee oil and gas activity. We expect these regulations to be in place prior to our drilling.”
When the report was released in late May, Mr Dorsett said he could not comment on it.
“I haven’t read the report so I cannot comment on any statements they have made,” he said.
Tensions over oil drilling in the Bahamas increased in the weeks leading up to the election after it became known that Prime Minister Christie was a former consultant for the oil company’s Bahamian legal team.
Mr Christie said he was hired through the law firm of Davis & Co, which was headed by now Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.
Graham Thompson & Co, of which former PLP attorney general Sean McWeeney is a partner, was also listed on the BPC’s website, as was PLP candidate for Killarney Jerome Gomez as its resident manager. However, Mr Gomez lost the Killarney constituency on May 7 to Dr. Hubert Minnis.
In late May, BPC said they are not discouraged by the fact that oil testing off the coast of Cuba yielded no results.
BPC chief operating officer Paul Gucwa said that while successful drilling in Cuba would have been encouraging, the results do not mean there is no oil in the Bahamas, nor does it affect oil drilling efforts.
Dr Gucwa added BPC intends to drill in a different geographical area and from their research it was not unexpected that the Scarabeo-9 drilling off the northwest of Cuba hit a dry well.
“A good result in their drilling would have been good news – however, from our research it was an expected result,” he said.
September 05, 2012 Tribune242
Sunday, August 5, 2012
In waging a fight on the road to the gambling referendum ...the numbers men are doing more than attempting to legalize their businesses... ...They are challenging the role of the church in the modern Bahamas
The church vs. the numbers men: A fight for legitimacy
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and Free National Movement (FNM) have historically dared not cross the church for decades on the issue of gambling for Bahamians in The Bahamas. Instead, both parties as governments turned away and did not see the numbers houses.
In recent years, with the rise of Internet technology and steely boldness, the numbers men of old and their new contemporaries came from the shadows and openly set up illegal shops in front of the political parties and police, declaring to Bahamians that they are now forces who will no longer accept being repressed.
The numbers bosses now sponsor charitable events, advertise and one has even donated openly to at least one government agency.
The Bahamas is a very protestant nation with the overwhelming majority of its people identifying themselves as Christians. Churchgoing is high. Consequently, the political parties have not wanted to face-off against a church that, for the most part, has been rabidly against gambling.
Despite this fear by our great political parties, the numbers bosses have now decided that it is time to demonstrate to the church of Christ and its Bahamian leaders that they do not fear them. They have set up a lobby and have let it be known that $1.5 million will be spent in an advertising effort to win the referendum. Via this act, they have declared opposition to the church.
The Bahamian church is not used to this direct a challenge. It has historically been able to shout down adversaries on the gambling issue. Now, with a referendum having been pledged, the church has an opponent.
The stakes are high for this referendum. In our modern history the church has felt it had the upper hand on issues such as this. A defeat here will lessen the perceived power of the church. It would also demonstrate that well-funded lobbies on moral issues could win against the church in a public fight.
What would a defeated church do? If it preaches to its members to vote against the legalization of gambling and those members overwhelmingly disobey their pastors, that act of defiance by Bahamians would demonstrate that though many sit in pews on Sundays, they do not listen to the people who speak from them with full regard.
In waging a fight in this referendum the numbers men are doing more than attempting to legalize their businesses. They are challenging the role of the church in the modern Bahamas.
The pastors who like to make statements on this and that moral issue need to know that on the issue of gambling they are in a fight for legitimacy. Certainly, if the church loses it will not be totally illegitimate and irrelevant. It would just fall a notch in influence. And the next time a group thinks about challenging the church, if it loses this referendum fight, that group won’t be as afraid, further expanding secularism in The Bahamas.
Aug 04, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
The decision by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) to oppose the 2002 referendum to end constitutional discrimination against women was defended by Prime Minister Perry Christie
PM defends PLP’s position on failed 2002 referendum
By Taneka Thompson
Guardian Senior Reporter
taneka@nasguard.com
Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday defended a decision made by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) to oppose a 2002 referendum meant to end constitutional discrimination against women.
The failed referendum, which was held in February 2002, was introduced by the Ingraham administration and included six questions. It was strongly opposed by the PLP, the opposition party at the time.
The new Christie administration on Wednesday committed to bringing another referendum to the public to alter portions of the constitution that discriminate against women.
When asked why his administration planned to hold the referendum when it opposed similar changes a decade ago, Christie said the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) was not fundamentally against ending gender discrimination.
He said at the time the party sided with members of the religious community who said the government did not consult them about the proposed changes.
“We opposed last time on a specific ground,” Christie told reporters on the sidelines of a conclave for parliamentarians at the British Colonial Hilton.
“I went to the Seventh Day Adventist annual gathering. I remember the then leader of the Seventh Day Adventist [Church] saying they weren’t consulted and that because they weren’t consulted they couldn’t’ participate.
“I then checked and found out that all of the churches were saying they weren’t consulted, and I went to my colleagues and said, for the purposes of the lack of consultation, we must oppose this unless [then Prime Minister Hubert] Ingraham decides to stop it and consult, and he didn’t and that is how we got to do it.”
When asked by The Nassau Guardian if the PLP’s stance against the 2002 referendum was a setback to women, Christie said, ‘No.’
He added: “I think the PLP’s opposition to the referendum was that you should never do something against the will of the people, and the FNM was actually acting against the will of the people.
“It was not a question of a judgment as to the substance of it; it was a judgment of the process. We attacked the process and we were successful in attacking the process.
“Now the by-product of it was that you say it wasn’t passed. Yes, it wasn’t passed, but we were never motivated against any issue on the referendum. We were motivated against the fact that it was being imposed on the Bahamian people against their will.”
On Wednesday, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell said that Article 26 and the preamble to Article 15 of the constitution would have to be changed if the referendum is passed.
Mitchell did not say exactly when the referendum would be held, but said the PLP intends to hold it before the end of its five-year term.
The government also plans to call a referendum on gambling before the end of the year.
During the election campaign, the PLP said it would also hold a referendum on oil drilling if it were voted into office.
July 27, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
The referendum is about whether or not we have a national lottery ...whether or not we legalize the web shop gambling ...Full stop. ...It’s not about whether Bahamians gamble in casinos,” ...says Prime Minister Perry Christie
Taking it to the people
Casino question to be absent from ballot, but heavy considerations loom
By Candia Dames
Guardian News Editor
candia@nasguard.com
The government may be making a bold move in putting the controversial gambling question to the people, but it is not prepared to go the whole hog and possibly reverse a decades old discriminatory law that prohibits Bahamians from gambling in local casinos.
Although Prime Minister Perry Christie had previously made it clear that casino gambling will not be up for consideration when a referendum is held, some people still appeared surprised to hear him repeat it last week.
“The referendum is about whether or not we have a national lottery, whether or not we legalize the web shop gambling. Full stop. It’s not about whether Bahamians gamble in casinos,” Christie said.
There were those who questioned the logic behind the government’s decision to leave this discriminatory law as is, but instead allow Bahamians to vote on whether to legalize numbers houses and establish a national lottery.
As the government prepares to encapsulate the complexities of the gambling issue into perhaps a few simply worded questions, the age-old debate on gambling is already reaching fever pitch.
Church leaders are doing battle; numbers bosses have formed a coalition and pledged money for an education campaign; talk show hosts and journalists can’t seem to get away from the topic and everyday citizens are debating the issue on the streets, in bars, restaurants, on editorial pages and everywhere else.
A referendum on gambling was inevitable no matter who won the recent general election, as the Progressive Liberal Party, the Free National Movement and the Democratic National Alliance all promised to put the question to the people.
Just how widespread illegal gambling operations are is unknown.
Back in 2006, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe reported that there were at least 45 illegal gambling houses in New Providence and 12 in Grand Bahama, and 60 percent of the population was spending anywhere from $1.8 million to $2 million locally and abroad on games of chance each week.
Kenyatta Gibson, who at the time was chairman of the Gaming Board, reported that The Florida Lottery had conservatively estimated that Bahamians playing the Florida Lottery were spending US$100 million every year.
It is not clear whether ahead of the 2012 referendum the government will make public in very specific details how a legalized gambling industry would work, or wait to provide such details if a majority of voters vote in favor of legalization.
The opinions of members of government are also unclear as the government seems determined to remain neutral, at least for now.
When the Ingraham administration revealed in 2010 that it was considering legalizing the numbers business, Christie, who at the time was leader of the Official Opposition, said the PLP’s parliamentary caucus did not have a formal position on the matter.
“The Opposition has always up to this point treated gambling as it did with capital punishment where it’s a vote of conscience...We have members who are church members in a meaningful way in our grouping in the PLP, who I know flatly will support the position of the church and there are others who will take a different point of view,” he advised.
All that is clear now is there will be a referendum at some point and that casino gambling will not be on the ballot.
Historical perspective
Gambling has existed in The Bahamas “for forever”, in the words of former parliamentarian George Smith, who said the law that still prohibits Bahamians from gambling in local casinos is steeped in racism.
“When they thought of putting casinos in prior to 1967 we have to remember that many of the tourists who came to The Bahamas at the time came from segregated states in the United States where people of the different races didn’t comingle, and when they came here there were segregated hotels,” Smith explained.
“Blacks couldn’t go in the British Colonial at one point and there were hotels, over-the-hill hotels, boarding hotels where blacks went.
“…Primarily at the time it was not about keeping the tourists separate from the high-end, wealthy Bahamian or the senior British and other civil servants or foreign people working for the hotels and other work permit holders.
“They didn’t really have them in mind but they couldn’t well say ‘Okay, we’re going to have a policy where the average Bahamian couldn’t gamble, but the Bahamian from the Eastern Road could’. So they said, no Bahamian, no resident, no work permit holder. It was reflected in the gaming and lotteries legislation. So that was the genesis of the policy.”
Smith opined that the time has long passed to do away with the discriminatory legislation like the law against casino gambling for Bahamians.
“We have to address it,” he told The Nassau Guardian.
“Now when we talk about what kind of society we want, we have to decide whether in 2013 (the 40th anniversary of our independence) we want a society that still permits a facility of this country that nationals of the country cannot enjoy.
“If we want an enlightened nation, then we have to approach these things with the facts up front and we cannot say that if we have lottery in The Bahamas or legalize the numbers business it’s going to cause crime, that prostitution is going to go up. There is no evidence to support this.”
He noted that the constitution has a savings clause that saved into law all acts that were in existence prior to July 10, 1973. The gaming legislation was one of those acts that were saved.
The gambling debate, as noted, is not a new one.
In a December 20, 1974 position paper titled “A Christian response to the proposal of the Bahamas Government to assume control of the ownership of casino gambling operations in The Bahamas”, Pastor Rex Major took a detailed look at the issue and laid out a case for why gambling goes against Christian principles.
His position is not unlike that being taken today by many clergymen.
Major pointed out that on November 28, 1974 the Pindling government announced on the floor of the House of Assembly its intention to assume ownership and control of casinos in The Bahamas as of January 1976.
Major argued that the philosophy of casino gambling denies the ideals of a new nation. The Bahamas at the time was just over one year old as an independent nation.
He further opined that gambling condones a lifestyle in which economic considerations are more important than moral ones.
“Gambling encourages a reckless parasitic approach to life in which one human fleeces another with no genuine personal regard for his neighbor’s welfare,” he wrote.
Major wrote that it is “not morally right to fleece foreign brothers so that our coffers can be full, by allowing them to pursue a course of action within our nation, which we deem demeaning for our own people.
“Such an attitude denies the genuine principle of the Christian faith that each of us has a responsibility to allow only the best and noblest for our fellow creatures…To promote casino gambling, therefore, as is intended, is to promote an exploitation of the worst kind.”
He also wrote that the expansion of casino gambling was an act of “blatant hypocrisy” when one looked at the position of “seemingly alert and concerned leaders” relative to the numbers racket.
Over the decades, casino taxes have been an important source of revenue for the Bahamas government.
Prime Minister Christie announced recently that a new casino will open in Bimini in December and will provide 300 new jobs.
Enforcement
While Bahamians cannot legally gamble in local casinos, many are gambling online already in the comfort of their homes, and many web shops have a casino style element.
While opponents of gambling dismiss the enforcement argument as a lame excuse to push for legalization, it is not possible for the government to stop Bahamians who want to do so from gambling.
Prime Minister Christie, however, has promised that the laws against gambling would be strictly enforced should a majority of Bahamian voters say “no” to legalization.
A commitment to enforcement of course has huge implications.
Assuming the political will exists, the police would have to find the necessary resources to crack down on these illegal operations and the police themselves — who following the government’s lead have for many years turned a blind eye to illegality — will have to find the will to enforce the law.
Additionally, several thousand people would be out of work, thereby worsening unemployment, and that would have a trickle down effect.
It is doubtful the Christie administration would have the political will to strictly enforce the laws by shutting down illegal operations and putting so many people out of work.
Advancements in technology create further challenges for enforcement.
Views
While casino gambling will not be on the ballot, owners and operators of the few existing legally operating casinos in The Bahamas have been careful not to wade too far in the gambling debate.
But they are not fearful when it comes to expressing their views.
President and Managing Director of Kerzner International Bahamas Ltd. George Markantonis said the Paradise Island property is obviously conducting its operation according to the country’s laws.
Markantonis said, “We’d be delighted if there was a method to allow locals to participate in games of chance in the casinos, but realize that there are reasons why the rules are in place today. So we will wait and see what shows up in a national referendum and what the public debate leads to in the future.”
Asked if having locals gamble in the Paradise Island casino would be good for business, he noted that it would be beneficial for the company.
Baha Mar executive Robert Sands advocates limited relaxations of casino gambling regulations, although he did not go into great detail when he spoke with The Nassau Guardian.
“I believe that gaming regulations as written today do not put The Bahamas in a very competitive position and require a major overhaul if we are to level the playing field certainly in The Bahamas and be competitive with other jurisdictions…in North American and Europe and Asia,” Sands added.
Although the government will not have to consider the implications of Bahamians gambling in casinos — at least not this time around — establishing a national lottery and properly structuring a legal numbers industry would require great effort on the government’s behalf.
A “yes” vote would be just an initial step ahead of the real work; a “no” vote could strain the government’s commitment on the enforcement question.
July 16, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
...on the upcoming referendum on the legalization of the numbers industry in The Bahamas: ...A vote by the people to legalize the numbers industry will actually not legalize lottery gambling for Bahamians and legal residents... ...The Parliament would have to pass legislation amending our gaming laws
The parliamentary vote on gambling is not so simple
There has been much discussion on the upcoming referendum on the legalization of the numbers industry in The Bahamas. The industry has let it be known that it will spend $1.5 million on advertising for its cause. The church has responded with vocal opposition to any further legalization of a practice it views as harmful to Bahamians.
A vote, however, by the people to legalize the numbers industry will actually not legalize lottery gambling for Bahamians and legal residents. The Parliament would have to pass legislation amending our gaming laws.
In the Westminster parliamentary system votes on matters of conscience are usually free votes – that is, the party whips are removed and members vote their consciences without fear of party discipline for making a particular choice. When the whip is on a member who votes against the party’s position could be expelled from that political party.
Assuming that there would be a free vote in Parliament on the issue of legalizing lottery gambling, it is unclear how the members would vote. Some are practicing Christians and would not vote for gambling despite what their party leaders say. Some members might also abstain from voting, fearing taking a public stance on such a contentious issue. Such a scenario would put the will of the people up against the beliefs of the elected member of the legislature.
Therefore, there will be two fights in order for the lottery business to be legalized: one fight to win the referendum and the other to influence the MPs.
The church will have an advantage with the MPs. MPs do not like to disappoint pastors and the church of Christ in The Bahamas. A strong lobby on members by their respective pastors will be effective in getting at least a few MPs to vote no.
No MP wants to be named by the church as its opponent, pursuing an order against God. What has for a long time prevented a referendum is the fear by our leaders of crossing the church.
Our politicians think a referendum will allow the people to choose and they will not have to be responsible for legalizing numbers, because it would be the people who make that choice. But we all have forgotten that at the end of the day the MPs will have to do the deed.
Another scenario could emerge, however. If the people vote overwhelmingly to legalize numbers the governing party and opposition could keep the whips on and force through the amendments making lotteries legal.
Much is unclear about what will happen with the proposed referendum and the vote in Parliament if the people say yes to the numbers game. The governing party must chart carefully so it does not get in trouble with the process as the last government did during the referendum of 2002.
July 13,2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
....a potential North Abaco bye-election trumps the highly anticipated referendum on the legalisation of gambling
Gambling Referendum To Take Back Seat To North Abaco Vote
By AVA TURNQUEST
THE highly anticipated referendum on the legalisation of gambling will take the backseat to a potential North Abaco bye-election.
As the government continues to plan for the contentious vote, Prime Minister Perry Christie said the resignation of Hubert Ingraham will take priority.
“If Mr Ingraham resigns it means that a seat is vacant and that at some point there will be a bye-election,” Mr Christie said.
“That takes priority over any referendum that I would hold, so in terms of the calendar of events for the government we have to see how that calendar of events will be influenced by the declared intention to resign by Mr Hubert Ingraham.
“(The referendum) it’s on the table and it’s on the table for this year,” he added.
Meanwhile, several religious groups – including the Bahamas Christian Council– reaffirmed their stance against gambling and any attempts to legalize the activity.
In public statements last month, council president Ranford Patterson maintained that the social consequences outweigh potential revenue for the government.
In anticipation of the public vote, several number house owners have banded together to launch an educational campaign. Comprised of FML Group of Companies, Asue Draw, Island Game and Island Luck, the campaign will focus on community development initiatives.
With reports of at least 16 independent number houses in New Providence alone, another six in Grand Bahama and a few spread throughout the Family Islands, it has been estimated that a national lottery could pump more than $190 million into the Bahamas’ economy annually.
Dicrius Ramsey, general Manager of Island Luck, told The Tribune in a previous interview that number houses employ up to 3,000 Bahamians directly with an annual payroll of more the $6 million per annum.
Making his case for legalising local gambling or playing numbers, Mr Ramsey said number houses also indirectly employ 2,000 Bahamians and have injected as much as $100,000 per month into community organisations.
As it stands gambling is illegal in all forms for Bahamians and non-citizen residents of the Bahamas.
July 13, 2012
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
THE highly anticipated referendum on the legalisation of gambling will take the backseat to a potential North Abaco bye-election.
As the government continues to plan for the contentious vote, Prime Minister Perry Christie said the resignation of Hubert Ingraham will take priority.
“If Mr Ingraham resigns it means that a seat is vacant and that at some point there will be a bye-election,” Mr Christie said.
“That takes priority over any referendum that I would hold, so in terms of the calendar of events for the government we have to see how that calendar of events will be influenced by the declared intention to resign by Mr Hubert Ingraham.
“(The referendum) it’s on the table and it’s on the table for this year,” he added.
Meanwhile, several religious groups – including the Bahamas Christian Council– reaffirmed their stance against gambling and any attempts to legalize the activity.
In public statements last month, council president Ranford Patterson maintained that the social consequences outweigh potential revenue for the government.
In anticipation of the public vote, several number house owners have banded together to launch an educational campaign. Comprised of FML Group of Companies, Asue Draw, Island Game and Island Luck, the campaign will focus on community development initiatives.
With reports of at least 16 independent number houses in New Providence alone, another six in Grand Bahama and a few spread throughout the Family Islands, it has been estimated that a national lottery could pump more than $190 million into the Bahamas’ economy annually.
Dicrius Ramsey, general Manager of Island Luck, told The Tribune in a previous interview that number houses employ up to 3,000 Bahamians directly with an annual payroll of more the $6 million per annum.
Making his case for legalising local gambling or playing numbers, Mr Ramsey said number houses also indirectly employ 2,000 Bahamians and have injected as much as $100,000 per month into community organisations.
As it stands gambling is illegal in all forms for Bahamians and non-citizen residents of the Bahamas.
July 13, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Sidney Strachan, the former chairman of the Bahamas Gaming Reform (BGR) committee expressed disappointment in church leaders who oppose a referendum on gambling
Church 'Predicament' Over Gambling
tribune242
THE former chairman of the Bahamas Gaming Reform committee expressed disappointment in church leaders who oppose a referendum of gambling – a move he claims places them in a “predicament” with the pro-gambling public.
Sidney Strachan commended the Christie administration over the weekend for sticking to its campaign promise to hold the nationwide poll, as reiterated in last week’s Speech from the Throne.
He said the BGR has long expressed the need for government to review the “antiquated, hypocritical and discriminatory” gaming laws – a view shared by local stakeholders including casino owners and operators and the Bahamas Hotel Association.
Mr Strachan said: “To continue pretending that gaming does not exist and a large majority of Bahamians do not want to participate is ludicrous.
“While one group is permitted to come into our country and game in and own gambling properties, Bahamians are treated as second class citizens and denied the same rights.
“There is something fundamentally and inherently wrong when a foreigner has more rights in the Bahamas than a citizen.”
Mr Strachan said the BGR has been in contact with regulated gaming jurisdictions outside the country and has been advised that the combined economic impact of a national gaming network in the Bahamas could potentially exceed $60 million, and could create as many as 1,500 to 2,000 jobs.
“Bottom line,” Mr Strachan said, “Bahamians want to game and will not stop. However; this hypocrisy must cease. Churches that enforce on its members a tithe and other ‘voluntary taxes’ on all income, legal or illegal, now want to prevent the government from legally taxing an existing enterprise.”
He explained that some churches have said they will accept all money regardless of where it came from – simply because pastors have the authority to “bless” it.
Mr Strachan said: “Gambling is a nationally and internationally accepted legal form of entertainment.
“The Bahamas instead has decided to prohibit its citizens from participating in and owning a key portion of its own tourism product.
“We continue to foolishly conduct business like a banana republic while modern democracies reap the profits from modern gaming networks.”
He noted that the government could use the money raised on schools, hospitals, infrastructure and support programmes – all of which would generate new employment.
Mr Strachan said Prime Minister Perry Christie is doing “the noble and correct thing” by allowing Bahamians to choose for themselves.
“While this is not necessary to change the gaming law, it is certainly a step in the right direction to complete reform and towards creating Bahamian ownership in our country,” he said.
May 29, 2012
tribune242
tribune242
THE former chairman of the Bahamas Gaming Reform committee expressed disappointment in church leaders who oppose a referendum of gambling – a move he claims places them in a “predicament” with the pro-gambling public.
Sidney Strachan commended the Christie administration over the weekend for sticking to its campaign promise to hold the nationwide poll, as reiterated in last week’s Speech from the Throne.
He said the BGR has long expressed the need for government to review the “antiquated, hypocritical and discriminatory” gaming laws – a view shared by local stakeholders including casino owners and operators and the Bahamas Hotel Association.
Mr Strachan said: “To continue pretending that gaming does not exist and a large majority of Bahamians do not want to participate is ludicrous.
“While one group is permitted to come into our country and game in and own gambling properties, Bahamians are treated as second class citizens and denied the same rights.
“There is something fundamentally and inherently wrong when a foreigner has more rights in the Bahamas than a citizen.”
Mr Strachan said the BGR has been in contact with regulated gaming jurisdictions outside the country and has been advised that the combined economic impact of a national gaming network in the Bahamas could potentially exceed $60 million, and could create as many as 1,500 to 2,000 jobs.
“Bottom line,” Mr Strachan said, “Bahamians want to game and will not stop. However; this hypocrisy must cease. Churches that enforce on its members a tithe and other ‘voluntary taxes’ on all income, legal or illegal, now want to prevent the government from legally taxing an existing enterprise.”
He explained that some churches have said they will accept all money regardless of where it came from – simply because pastors have the authority to “bless” it.
Mr Strachan said: “Gambling is a nationally and internationally accepted legal form of entertainment.
“The Bahamas instead has decided to prohibit its citizens from participating in and owning a key portion of its own tourism product.
“We continue to foolishly conduct business like a banana republic while modern democracies reap the profits from modern gaming networks.”
He noted that the government could use the money raised on schools, hospitals, infrastructure and support programmes – all of which would generate new employment.
Mr Strachan said Prime Minister Perry Christie is doing “the noble and correct thing” by allowing Bahamians to choose for themselves.
“While this is not necessary to change the gaming law, it is certainly a step in the right direction to complete reform and towards creating Bahamian ownership in our country,” he said.
May 29, 2012
tribune242
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Bishop Neil Ellis urges members of the Christian community to “stand firmly” in opposition to the Christie administration’s planned referendum on illegal gambling and a national lottery
Bishop Ellis: Christians must stand firm against legalized gambling
Royston Jones Jr.
Guardian Staff Reporter
royston@nasguard.com
Bishop Neil Ellis of Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church is urging members of the Christian community to “stand firmly” in opposition to the Christie administration’s planned referendum on illegal gambling and a national lottery, so that “there would not be blood on our hands” if it is ultimately passed.
Ellis was one of several pastors who commented on the referendum promised in the Speech from the Throne read by Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes at the opening of Parliament on Wednesday.
In its Charter for Governance, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) committed to holding that referendum within its first 100 days in office.
Ellis told The Nassau Guardian that while the country might experience some financial gain as a result of regularizing gambling, Bahamian families are likely to suffer in the long run.
He said that in the past, many Bahamian families “lost everything” due to gambling.
He was referring to the Hobby Horse Hall, a horse racing venue where betting was legal decades ago.
“If we vote in favor we may benefit with the country gaining some type of revenue from it but we have people like those a while ago who lose everything and still have to come back to social services and drain the government,” said Ellis.
“You’d effectively be taking revenue in the front door and its goes out the back door. It’s going to be really important for the church community to lay its agenda clearly and concisely on the table so that if this is passed there would not be blood on our hands. But the government in its wisdom wants to bring some resolution to it and I applaud them for it.”
Bishop Reno V. Smith, pastor of Mt. Gilead Union Baptist Church in Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama, told The Guardian that while he was pleased the Christie administration thought it “proper and fitting” to put the issue to the Bahamian people, if the outcome was favorable, players of “games of chance” should not be permitted to be a further burden on the government.
“Should those people lose their houses, their homes, their incomes etc., I don’t think they should be allowed as gamblers to go to the Department of Social Services to be sustained by people like me and others who pay taxes,” Smith said.
“If the people decide that they wish to gamble, then that’s up to them. However, I would like to see all gamblers – players of games [of] chance – to be registered so that they would not be a further burden to the taxpayers of this country.”
The issue has been a prickly one for successive governments, as members of the Christian community have strongly objected to any hint of legalizing gambling for Bahamians.
Christian Council Treasurer Bishop Gregory Minnis of New Jerusalem Kingdom Ministries said that although he believes gambling is wrong from a biblical standpoint, he understood why so many people turned to the industry as a means of “pulling in a dollar” in light of the current state of the economy and unemployment.
“We (Christian Council) are strongly against gambling, but if the people speak and they desire for it then we as the church will have to say to our people to be mindful of how you accomplish your goals now, and how you accomplished all that you have before gambling came in,” Minnis said.
He also said that a national lottery would promote organized crime if it were not implemented properly by the government, and could further criminal activity in the country.
He added that the Christian community would be called upon to make its position “resoundingly” clear, and said he believes more people are opposed to legalizing gambling than are those who support it.
May 25, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Dr. Victor Cooper of New Bethany Baptist Cathedral urged the nation’s leaders to put the issue of gambling to a referendum ...and determine ways to tax the dozens of numbers houses that are in business throughout The Bahamas
Pastors urge action on gambling
Numbers houses come under fire
By Taneka Thompson
Guardian Senior Reporter
taneka@nasguard.com
A Baptist pastor yesterday urged the nation’s leaders to put the issue of gambling to a referendum and determine ways to tax the dozens of numbers houses that are in business.
Dr. Victor Cooper of New Bethany Baptist Cathedral made the call at a press conference with other religious leaders held to discuss crime.
“Let the people make a decision because the reality is, and sometimes we overlook this aspect of it, these gambling houses are making a lot of money and not paying any taxes whatsoever,” Cooper said.
“There must be some serious consideration given again to the whole issue of gambling with the electorate making a decision as to whether or not this is the way we want to go and then how does the country benefit in return from all the money being expended.”
Bishop Walter Hanchell, president of Great Commission Ministries, said it is time for the country to stop being politically correct about gambling and tackle the social issue head on.
“We have developed into a gambling culture where it is now almost acceptable to gamble. We say that gambling is illegal except for the casinos, but these gambling houses have licenses to operate and they are operating right in front of the police blatantly,” he said.
“We must address it because drugs and gambling are related; in my opinion they all are criminal acts. We need to stop trying to be politically correct and deal with these social issues in the right way.”
Hanchell added that while he is morally opposed to gambling he sees it as a discriminatory practice to allow foreigners to gamble legally in the country while Bahamian citizens cannot.
“I stopped gambling 30 years ago,” he said. “I don’t support gambling in any form, but it is wrong to allow a foreigner to have any rights in a country where the citizens don’t have the same right and privilege. That is discrimination against your own people.”
Earlier on in its current term, the Ingraham administration considered the question of legalizing numbers houses, but eventually shelved the idea, promising instead to hold a referendum if it is successful at the next general election.
The issue has been a prickly one for successive governments, which have faced strong objections from the church at any hint of legalizing gambling for Bahamians.
Yesterday, the pastors also decried the current levels of crime and violence in the country and called on their counterparts from other churches to reach out to troubled members of the community.
“Murders are becoming an epidemic. Our leaders, church [and] community must come up with solutions to bring murders to an end,” Hanchell said.
Senior Pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church Bishop Simeon Hall said drugs, gambling, alcoholism and the decay of the family structure are all to blame for the current crime crisis.
So far this year, 31 murders have been recorded in The Bahamas.
Up to this point last year, 37 murders were recorded.
Apr 05, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
On February 27, 2002 — exactly 10 years ago today — Bahamians went to the polls in the country’s first referendum... ...A decade after that vote, The Bahamas is still behind many in the so-called civilized world in some respects... ...By voting "no" Bahamians ensured that the country remained in the archaic position of having discriminatory language in its Constitution
A cause for change
Bahamas should revisit issues in failed 2002 referendum
By Candia Dames
Guardian News Editor
candia@nasguard.com
There’s an interesting saying in the tropical Southeastern Asian country of Burma: A woman can be equal to a man in all ways, but she must first die and come back as a man. In the 21st century, it would appear that this very saying could be applied right here in The Bahamas.
On February 27, 2002 — exactly 10 years ago today — Bahamians went to the polls in the country’s first referendum.
They were asked by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham to vote to change the Constitution to eradicate language that made men superior to women.
But in results that Ingraham later admitted "shocked and shamed" him, an overwhelming majority of the voters — women included — voted against the historic change. It was an interesting outcome indeed for a people who have for a long time prided themselves on being among the most progressive in the Western Hemisphere, at least as far as civil liberties are concerned.
A decade after that vote, The Bahamas is still behind many in the so-called civilized world in some respects. By voting "no" Bahamians ensured that the country remained in the archaic position of having discriminatory language in its Constitution.
The results also appeared contradictory to the fact that The Bahamas’ record on the treatment of women and the role of women in society has been a commendable one.
The prime minister’s commitment to improving equality of the sexes was a plank in his campaign platform in 1997.
Ingraham noted in 2002 that for far too long, the Constitution has held double standards; a state of affairs that for too many years deprived the children of Bahamian women, married to foreign nationals, of citizenship; and denied the foreign-born spouses of Bahamian women the right to be registered as Bahamians, a right granted by the Constitution to the spouses of Bahamian men.
There is a classic example of a family negatively impacted by that constitutional provision. The late Dr. Mary Ritchie, a Bahamian woman, married a Trinidadian and they moved to The Bahamas before independence in 1973. The couple’s children who were born before independence automatically became Bahamians. But their children born after 1973 had to obtain work permits to be legally employed there.
Timothy Donaldson, a former Bahamian senator and the country’s former ambassador to the United States, said he has always been "incensed and ashamed" by the constitutional language in this regard. Donaldson was an advisor to the Pindling government during the constitutional negotiations in London.
"To me it’s just not right," Donaldson said. He explained that the thinking of then Prime Minister Pindling was that the provision would ensure that Haitians would not eventually take over The Bahamas which at the time had a population of only about 220,000 and today has a population of well over 300,000.
The country has long been burdened by an ongoing influx of Haitians who come to the country in rickety sea crafts, fleeing the unstable political regime in their poverty-stricken nation.
The Haitian presence in The Bahamas has continued to expand over the decades.
Between 1970 and 2010 births to Haitian mothers in The Bahamas nearly doubled, jumping from 7.2 percent to 13.7 percent, according to a new report released by The Department of Statistics.
"Pindling said ‘These Haitians produce like rats’," Donaldson said. "He said they’re going to produce all those children and at some point in time, the Haitians will outnumber Bahamians. But when you make a law geared at just one particular group of people, it’s certainly not a good policy."
The inequality clause is an entrenched provision of the Constitution. These provisions deal with the fundamental rights and freedoms of people as citizens, establishment and powers of Parliament, the cabinet and judiciary. Entrenched provisions can only be changed by 3/4 vote in Parliament, which happened in 2002, and a majority vote by the people in a referendum, which did not happen. To add provisions to the Bahamian Constitution also requires a referendum. The 2002 referendum sought to both change provisions and add clauses to the Constitution which was written in 1972.
Parliamentary exchange
The inequality issue, undoubtedly the most contentious, was not the only question posed to the Bahamian electorate in the referendum: Initially, the following questions were crafted by legislators.
1 - Do you approve of a Teaching Service Commission?
2 - Do you approve of an Independent Parliamentary Commissioner?
3 - Do you approve of the creation of an Independent Boundaries Commission?
4 - Do you approve amending the Constitution to increase the normal retirement age of judges from 67 to 72 for the Supreme Court, and up to 75 for the Court of Appeal justices? and,
5 - Do you approve amending The Constitution to permit the foreign spouse of a Bahamian citizen to reside and work in The Bahamas for the first five years of marriage, and thereafter entitled to citizenship?
6 - Do you agree that all forms of discrimination against women, their children and spouses should be removed from the Constitution and that no person should be discriminated against on the grounds of gender?
Ingraham made the announcement in the House of Assembly on December 6, 2001, informing members that it was the government’s intention to have the referendum on the same day as the next general election so that The Bahamas could "kill two birds with one stone".
"Election time is the time when you are likely to get the maximum number of persons to participate in the process," he said, "and so it is our intent to hold a referendum on the same day as the election."
On December 6, 2001, Ingraham drew attention to the discrimination question and gave it an early highlight as the key issue in the upcoming referendum.
"The one dealing with discrimination against women is fundamental and we propose to move that and as I understand it, there is consensus in the House in support of that particular amendment," Ingraham said. He told Parliament that he had in hand letters from the leader of the opposition, Perry Christie, and the only third party member in the House at the time, Dr. Bernard Nottage, that registered their support.
By the afternoon of December 20, 38 of the 40 members of the House voted on a sweeping amendment to the Constitution to abolish discrimination against women, their children and spouses.
"At last, 28 years following our independence, we are acting to remove from the supreme law of our land constitutionally-mandated discriminatory provisions against 50 percent of the population of The Bahamas," the prime minister said. "This is heavy stuff."
On January 16, members of the House of Assembly — with the exception of Dr. Nottage — approved the package of constitutional bills. Before his vote, Christie had this to say:
“We are headed for general elections. Those of us in the opposition have a view of what is fair. If we regard the process [of the referendum] as unfair, then this is what will happen. We will criticize and go to the country on the basis that this is an illegitimate course of action being advocated and you should not participate or you should vote no.”
A failed process
A month of public debates on the approaching referendum gave way to Referendum Day. What appeared to be a valiant and noble effort by the government to bring The Bahamas in compliance with international conventions that it endorsed, turned into a national debacle.
On all five questions, the majority of voters voted no
• Creation of an independent election boundaries commission.
Valid "Yes" 30,903
Valid "No" Votes: 57,291
• Creation of an Independent Parliamentary Commissioner.
Valid "Yes" 30,418
Valid "No" Votes: 57,815
• Gender discriminating language will be removed from the constitution and if children born to Bahamian mothers and foreign fathers will have Bahamian citizenship.
Valid "Yes" 29,906
Valid "No" Votes: 58,055
• The retirement age of judges will change from 60 to 65 years of age and 68 to 72 for appellate court judges.
Valid "Yes" 25,018
Valid "No" Votes: 60,838
• The creation of a commission to monitor the standards of teachers nationally.
Valid "Yes" 32,892
Valid "No" Votes: 55,627
For the opposition, the resounding no votes amounted to a great victory. The Progressive Liberal Party celebrated the win as if it were celebrating election victory.
“The clear and unmistakable signal that the Bahamian people telegraphed yesterday is that they do not want any government messing with “their things” unless they, the people, are fully included in the process of constitutional reform from start to finish — and that the process of constitutional reform must never be rushed,” Christie said the morning after the vote.
The day after, Prime Minister Ingraham — who had called the referendum his last major agenda as leader of the country — stunned many Bahamians when he said he was “ashamed” that Bahamians rejected his proposed amendments to the Constitution. He also told reporters that he was “mistaken” when he declared that the party that won the referendum would win the general election.
“I have no regrets whatsoever,” he said. “People are perfectly entitled to accept or reject any proposition put to them and they rejected this proposition. I accept that this is their entitlement. I move on. I am ashamed, but I accept it. That is the will of the people.”
When he returned as prime minister in 2007, I asked Ingraham at his first press conference after his re-election whether he was minded to re-visit the 2002 referendum questions.
Ingraham said there will be no more referenda under his watch.
But the prime minister has been known to change his mind.
In 2010, he advised that if re-elected his administration would hold a referendum so Bahamians could decide whether they want gambling legalized.
Whatever government is elected this year ought to take another look at the discriminatory questions in our Constitution.
Perhaps in a less politically charged atmosphere, we could finally succeed in making the necessary changes.
Feb 27, 2012
Monday, November 14, 2011
Perry Christie, the political hypocrite calls for an independent Boundaries Commission almost 10 (ten) years after the PLP - under his leadership - encouraged voters to vote against a referendum called by the Ingraham administration on 27 February, 2002... One of the questions had to do with whether an independent Boundaries Commission ought to be established in The Bahamas
Bethel dismisses Christie’s call for independent Boundaries Commission
By Candia Dames
Guardian News Editor
candia@nasguard.com
By Candia Dames
Guardian News Editor
candia@nasguard.com
Free National Movement Chairman Carl Bethel has dismissed as idle talk former Prime Minister Perry Christie’s statement that the time has come for an independent Boundaries Commission.
Christie spoke of the need for an independent commission in an interview with The Nassau Guardian last week.
“I had the opportunity to put one in and didn’t, but there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that our democracy has matured to the point where it is a major contradiction to have someone sit down in a room by themselves and draw a plan that impacts the future of a country, and not have that done in a transparent way,” said Christie, leader of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).
“...There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that we have passed the time when it ought to have happened.
“Because of gamesmanship, [political leaders are] able to take advantage of what is really a glaring failure on the part of our democracy where [they] in a very candid way take advantage of this opportunity and this discretion to draft a map that they could just cherry pick and change things around.”
But Bethel said he doubts Christie was very serious about that suggestion.
“Opposition parties, sometimes it seems, say things that they never had any intention when they had the power and authority of doing, and make all sorts of promises,” he said.
“I think, Mr. Christie, if he was serious about what he now says, when he had his Constitutional Commission, would have at least looked at that question which he now raises.
“I do not believe that it is a serious suggestion on his part. Obviously, it is not a matter that has been canvassed by him or his colleagues for very long. I think it’s relating really to the moment. It’s a comment made in the moment and not so much a considered, well thought out, much debated position.
“The Constitutional Commission under the former PLP government didn’t touch it, and it’s one thing to talk to hear yourself talk; it’s another thing to come with a well considered proposal.”
In 2002, Christie and the PLP encouraged voters to vote against a referendum called by the Ingraham administration.
One of the questions had to do with whether an independent Boundaries Commission ought to be established.
Fifty-seven thousand, two hundred and ninety-one people voted ‘no’ and 30,903 people voted ‘yes’.
“I’m not sure that we can accord too much credibility to what Mr. Christie may genuinely feel to be his position at this present time,” Bethel told The Nassau Guardian.
In the interview last week, Christie also accused the current administration of gerrymandering.
But Bethel also dismissed this charge.
“Oppositions always say that,” he said. “That’s a stock phrase used by oppositions.
“When the PLP created the St. Anne’s Constituency during the last boundary revisions under Mr. Christie’s superintendence, the then opposition (FNM) felt that this was a classic case of gerrymandering because what was apparent to us is virtually as many FNM polling divisions in as many different constituencies had been pushed into this new entity called St. Anne’s, and that the consequence of doing that was to strengthen the Progressive Liberal Party’s hold on at least three constituencies: Yamacraw, Elizabeth and Fox Hill.
“And so in a sense it was a classic case, in our view, of getting three for the price of one, which by any calculation would amount to an exercise in gerrymandering.”
Bethel said there are principles that guide the Boundaries Commission, which is also known as the Constituencies Commission.
“Those principles are usually discussed among the members and agreed in general long before they actually sit down to address the specific questions of the boundaries,” Bethel said.
“One of those principles would be, for example, that the commission would be seeking to attain as near as possible equality in the number of registered voters in every constituency (depending on the island).”
The FNM chairman added, “What is clear and there is nothing that the opposition has been able to say to date — and they had to a lot to say about these boundary cuts —but there is nothing that they have been able to say to date that is able to cast any doubt upon the integrity of the adherence of the Boundaries Commission to the principle that all members, including opposition members, would have agreed at the beginning of the whole process.”
In three of the last four general elections, the party in power that cut the boundaries lost (1992, 2002 and 2007).
Nov 14, 2011
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