With the nation burdened with paying a $2.49 billion national debt, new HIV cases among the ages of 15 and 25, and a terrifying prediction of National Insurance being bankrupt by the year 2020, leader of the Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM) Cassius Stuart said such “national tragedies” are the result of mismanagement by political leaders.
Stuart, who announced his candidacy for an unannounced by-election in the Holy Cross constituency several weeks ago, debuted at Speaker’s Corner, a once-popular stage for politicians to discuss issues facing the nation.
As the first speaker for the forum, held at Major’s Inn, Baillou Hill Road on Sunday, Stuart said the BDM will be the party that will break down the wall of partisan politics.
‘New political era’
“The new political era is not about mud-slinging, name-bashing or finger-pointing, but it is about the way forward,” Mr Stuart said. “It is about who can articulate a plan and a vision for our country. The nation can no longer depend on leaders who campaign on emotionalism and run on promises they know they can’t fulfil. The Bahamas Democratic Movement represents more that just a political party. We represent a new philosophy, a new hope, a new direction, new leadership and a new and distinct vision for our country.”
He said that to build a nation, Bahamians have to develop a strong sense of belonging to The Bahamas, for without people who will rise up to the challenge, the foundations and structures built by an earlier generation will decay and crumble.
“All the hard work of Sir Lynden Pindling, Sir Orville Turnquest, Sir Milo Butler, Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield and others will come to nothingness if this generation refuses to rise up,” he said.
‘Endangered species’
“Today we face a dilemma that has the potential to wipe out our entire generation. This dilemma is HIV/AIDS. This disease is attacking our generation without prejudice, 50 per cent of all the new HIV cases is between the ages of 15 and 25; this means the future of our nation is under attack, our future workforce is on track of being wiped out and finally, our future leaders all dying before they reach the age of 30,” Mr Stuart said.
Globalization and rapid technological advances are driving long-term, and fundamental changes in commerce, industry and in the daily lives of Bahamians, he continued. Hence, a stable framework of governance, which is transparent, efficient and corruption-free needs to be put in place. The BDM, he said, will pursue rational, prudent economic policies and invest heavily in education and worker training. Further, he said, there also needs to be a close tripartite relationship between workers, employers and the government.
Union involvement
“Our labour movement should also have an established reputation as a responsible and enlightened partner in The Bahamas’ economic success. As Bahamians, we should be alive to the challenges ahead and should begin to mobilize ourselves to respond. The country should have embraced globalization as a strategy long before it became a buzzword, tapping world markets, and attracting investments from many countries. The only way to survive in the new world markets is to liberalize our economy, and expose it to the winds of change and the full pressures of competition,” Mr Stuart said.
He said the new economy also requires sound policies that cannot remain static – policies that need to be adjusted continually as situations unfold. In the face of globalisation, The Bahamas needs to develop a more vibrant local enterprise sector in order to bring a greater degree of stability to the economy. The new economy is about Bahamians playing a more vital and aggressive role in building the nation, he said.
Pensions at risk
The country’s national debt of $2.49 billion, and the possibility of this generation of young Bahamians not being able to receive pensions when they grow old, and some not living to pass middle age, is clearly indicative that the nation is under attack, the BDM leader said.
“We need to once again be our brother’s keeper. We must not forget that it is God who has brought us thus far and if we continue to trust in Him, He will keep us. The new leadership in these trying times is about bringing people together; it’s about uniting our country; it’s about healing our social wounds and it’s about moving forward hand in hand with one another. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto, but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men,” Mr Stuart concluded.
Vanessa Rolle, The Nassau Guardian
