The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

Some two decades ago, during a meeting with a government minister, the Minister made the following comment with reference to the Ministry of Finance: “This is the government, my friend. This is the government.”

I thought that he was wrong then, and I pray that he now realises it also. Money is not the most important thing to the life of a nation. Safety is.

The Bahamas today, particularly Nassau, finds itself in a national emergency created by violent crime and illegal guns. This perpetual circle of violence, unless disrupted, will destroy every other thing that we attempt to accomplish as a nation. And if we don’t stop it, the miserable life that will surely follow will hardly be worth living.

Balanced budgets will not counter the threat of this unsafe environment. Neither will Baha Mar, nor Carnival parties, nor Strong Bahamas PR campaigns, and certainly not egotistical politicians concerned about their legacies.

The Bahamas is in a crisis, and in a crisis, drastic measures are necessary.

And so, stop wasting the people’s money. Suspend all expenditures on travel and other discretionary items, and use the people’s money to pay for help with this crisis.

We are tired of our money being spent while the quality of our lives continues to decline. The crime emergency needs all of our resources. And all of the attention of the government.

Do your job, or step aside and let someone else do it.

SHAYNE DAVIS

Nassau,

September 15, 2015