Nothing has more eloquently articulated how The Bahamas has been damaged by the style and philosophy of PLP misrule and incompetence than the recent experience with the new straw market.
Destroyed by fire just nine months before the PLP’s election to office in May 2002, the market was an iconic Bahamian institution playing a unique role in the economic and cultural life of Nassau. It was one of the major venues through which tourism directly connected with our economy, providing an income for generations of proud and resourceful Bahamians.
It was an historic landmark and point of reference for giving directions on Bay Street. There was no question of the urgency of its replacement. And yet the PLP, after five years in office, made absolutely no progress with its replacement, save for a last-minute contract signing at the very end of their term which was a public relations stunt. Despite the ritual document signing, there were no completed drawings for the market.
The weary, waiting vendors, either from a sense of fallen expectations, acquiescence to the PLP, or hypnosis brought on by the grand nature of another Perry Christie promise, appeared not to notice how badly they had been treated.
When the House of Assembly debated the legislation for the operation and substantiality of the new straw market, Christie, who days before he visited the site heaped scorn upon the market and the government which got the job done, led his team in trying to belittle something he never accomplished.
As one MP noted, the opposition continues to praise itself for what it did not do, while criticizing the current government for what it has done so well. This is the very definition of hypocrisy.
In typical form, the PLP encouraged the vendors to see any effort to require maintenance of standards and discipline as the imposition of something unfair. What was unfair and a hardship is the PLP leaving straw vendors and woodcarvers without a decent straw market despite broken promise after broken promise.
The opposition’s rhetoric during the debate on the straw market authority was reminiscent of those old days when the PLP created a culture of self-entitlement and slackness which led too many Bahamians to believe they could get whatever they want because the government owed them something.
I believe that this mindset led to people not paying their National Insurance Board contributions and to a greater tolerance for getting over, which excused fraudulent behavior and a growing culture of criminality.
The Bahamian people have now on two occasions rejected this shameless behavior from a PLP which refuses to reform its culture of corruption and self-entitlement. They will do so again, though it is unlikely that a scandal-ridden PLP will get the message.
By a Concerned Citizen
