SOME SOLUTIONS TO: IS THE BAHAMAS A PARADISE LOST?

SOME SOLUTIONS TO: IS THE BAHAMAS A PARADISE LOST?

We must now begin the process of determining the national ten to twenty-year plan for The Bahamas with input from Bahamians of every political, social, religious, racial, economic, and educational stratum. 

This can be accomplished by using the same strategy that was used when the PLP was leading the country into independence. There was first a White Paper followed by a Green Paper. 

All inclusive meetings can be held across the length and breadth of The Bahamas to get the input and participation of Bahamians. Of course, it will be necessary to bring the process to a level so that every Bahamian who participates understands the process. 

Perhaps, the approach must be radically done by an NGO made of Bahamians who do not have a political agenda but are genuinely concerned about the future development of The Bahamas and its people from Grand Bahama in the north to Inagua in the south. 

Secondly, there needs to be the election of a unity government whose goal will be to underscore the importance of beginning the task of uniting the Bahamian people with the ten to twenty-year development plan as its focus. 

Thirdly, there must be the passage of legislation that strikes at the heart of the performance of representation that reflects the national will of the people. A part of this legislative process must be the recall of non-performing representatives. 

Fourthly, the Bahamian people, constituency by constituency must be consulted and informed by their representatives before any legislation is debated and passed by Parliament.

Fifthly, the mindset of Bahamians regarding the role of representation must be changed. This process can be commenced by the Unity Government making genuine efforts by including Bahamian and foreign investment to develop an economy where all Bahamians will, where they are qualified, be active participants and share in the proceeds from that economy.

Sixthly, there must be progressive legislation to deal with legislators who are found to be involved in corruption, graft, and receiving kickbacks from any source with whom they may have been the source of granting contracts.

I do not have all the answers, but the above are some of my thoughts regarding the questions: (1) When are we going to learn how to mend that which is broken? and (2) Where do we go from here? 

My suggestions are meant to jump-start the discussion that will be the precursor of the process.

William Butler Yeats, in his epic poem, "The Second Coming," wrote following. 

Turning and turning in the widening gyre

The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity. 

Surely some revelation is at hand; 

Surely the Second Coming is at hand. 

The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out 

When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi 

Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert 

A shape with lion body and the head of a man, 

A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun, 

Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it 

Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds. 

The darkness drops again; but now I know 

That twenty centuries of stony sleep 

Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle, 

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, 

Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

It is my fervent hope and prayer that our elected leaders get it right before the second coming!