The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune. THERE is a saying that can be found in almost all major religious text or Bible: "Ye shall know them by their fruits." That is to say, know them not so much by what they say but rather by what they do. One can glean much about the two major political parties, PLP and FNM, by doing a comparison of their words to their works. To put this fully into context we need to understand that politics is a game of persuasion and perception. Sometimes we are persuaded to perceive a political organisation in a way that is not rational or realistic - especially when you compare their words to action. This is really a perfect time in our political history, here in the Bahamas, to compare the two main parties - their words to their deeds. Take the current campaign slogans, for example. The PLP says "Believe in the Bahamas" and "Put Bahamians First". The FNM says simply, "We Deliver!" They also say that they can be "Trusted" and that they have "Proven" this to be so. I will deal with the latter first as it is the easiest to decipher. I think that all reasonable and informed persons within the Bahamas can come to the basic conclusion that the "We Deliver" message from the FNM has been earned and therefore they can claim ownership of this as their slogan. Moreover, it resonates with the vast majority of Bahamians, I believe. Many of us may differ in terms of our opinion on the cost or manner in which certain things were delivered. However, there is no disputing the fact that much of what was promised, by the FNM, has been delivered in their current term in office. I could go into a whole list of things or programmes that have been achieved by the FNM during its current term in office but I think it is fair to say that most, if not all Bahamians, are aware of many of these new or enhanced benefits. The second part of the FNM's current slogan says "Trusted and Proven." Again, it is not difficult for reasonable people to associate this slogan with the Ingraham led FNM government. People generally elect a government to do, for them, the things that they might not be able to do for themselves. Some of these provisions might include building schools, passing laws, improving infrastructure, providing essential services, etc. Whenever we vote for a person or a party to govern our concerns or affairs, I think that most of us do so with the trust that, in government, these individuals will have the political will to deliver on the promises made during a campaign. We trust that these honourable men and women would seek to put in place policies, laws and things for the benefit of the people that they govern. To this end, I think that the FNM government has proven, for the most part, worthy of that trust. The PLP's slogan of "Believe in the Bahamas" is extremely vague and unclear. When you try to reconcile this slogan with the party that is using it, it becomes even more confusing. I, personally, believe in the Bahamas. As I am sure that most Bahamians do. I am vested in the Bahamas. I was born in the Bahamas. I was raised in the Bahamas. I was educated, work and live in the Bahamas. I am married and raising a family, of my own, here in the Bahamas. I respect and abide by the laws of the Bahamas. I believe in the Bahamas! It is the only home that I have known. Now, what does that have to do with the PLP? Is it that a vote for the PLP solidifies or somehow reinforces my belief in the Bahamas? Conversely, if I voted FNM or DNA, I no longer believe in the Bahamas? Is the message here that the FNM as government believes less in the Bahamas than does the PLP as government? I just do not see the connection of the slogan to the party. The PLP loves to talk about how much they believe in the Bahamas and how much they care for Bahamians. However, upon closer examination the words really do not meet with action. Their record of under achievement in government is a testament to this fact. I can go on with a list of so many ways in which the PLP's words did not match their actions, but I think that there is one thing that absolutely crystallizes the point - The Straw Market! Consider this, "prayer without action is powerless" "faith without works is dead" "vision without implementation is worthless" Political rhetoric without political will leads to failure. DWAYNE LOCKHART-GAILLARD Nassau, March, 2012.