By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune News Editor
tmthompson@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Progressive Liberal Party Cabinet minister George Smith said the Christie administration cannot claim to be the country’s most “progressive” government if it is pinning this accomplishment on value added tax and the introduction of National Health Insurance.
Mr Smith, the former representative for Exuma, said a “progressive” government would have already held the delayed referendum on gender equality, transitioned The College of The Bahamas into a university and created “economic empowerment” for the average citizen.
He added that while Prime Minister Perry Christie has a “beautiful vision” for universal healthcare, NHI’s implementation cannot be lauded as innovative if it will be paid for by burdening “heavily taxed” Bahamians.
His comments came after National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage told reporters last week the Christie-led government has made significant policy advancements.
“I think that this government has been the most progressive government that the country has ever had when you look at the policies that are being followed and the transformational value of those policies,” Dr Nottage told The Nassau Guardian last week.
“There is reform going on almost in every sector of the country. These reforms require the understanding of the people for whom they are intended.”
Government officials have touted the implementation of VAT in 2015 and the government’s plans to roll out NHI this year as proof of the Christie administration’s success.
However, Mr Smith does not agree.
“There is only one form of tax that has been described as progressive and that is income tax and no government (in the Bahamas) has ever had the courage to tackle income tax because of the fear that it will turn off the wealthy,” he told The Tribune. “I think it is fair to say that the desire to raise healthcare to a reasonable standard, that is progressive, but I think we have gotten bogged down in the mechanism to be used to pay for it.
“And if the money will come from the same heavily taxed ordinary Bahamians through some tax, the healthcare can be described as laudable and progressive but the method cannot be.”
He added: “If we are talking about being a progressive government, where is the gender equality referendum, exploration of oil, the University of The Bahamas and economic empowerment of the average citizen of the country?
“All of those things could be described as progressive. It seems (we are) just talking about oil exploration, setting targets for the University of The Bahamas and seem bogged down on the gender referendum. We are bogged down in improving (the) standard of healthcare by the mechanism because we started by ignoring stakeholders.”
Mr Smith said the government led by Sir Lynden Pindling from 1967 to 1982 can be aptly described as progressive, due to advancements made in the quality of education and the public housing programme, among other accomplishments.
“During that period we did massive improvements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, established the Central Bank, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and broadened the base of employment through ‘Bahamianisation.’”
He said though “well intended”, the first Christie administration did not fulfil many promises in its 2002 platform, adding that when the Free National Movement held office from 2007 to 2012, that government was “conservative.”
Comments
Godson 8 years, 2 months ago
Thank you Mr. Smith, continue your contribution and don't let no one intimidate you to do otherwise. THIS IS YOUR COUNTRY... and if you cannot make a contribution here, in The Bahamas... where the hell else the naysayers expect you to make a contribution??? Build up YOUR COUNTRY Sir. You make me proud and to hell with xenophobic haters of good, positive and critical thinkers.
Godson 'Nicodemus' Johnson
asiseeit 8 years, 2 months ago
This government has raised taxes, borrowed hundreds of millions, and Bahamians have nothing to show for it. How is this "progressive"? Maybe if they had reduced government expenditure and lowered government wastage. Maybe if they tackled CORRUPTION. What about the referendum on gambling, I guess they must think it "progressive" to totally go against the will of the people and ignore their vote. Maybe they think it "progressive" to lie to the people about their ability to combat crime or create jobs. Or maybe they think it "progressive" to pander to your bigwigs who donate large sums of cash. Selling the country to the Chinese and then getting bitch slapped by them (Baha Mar), might be "progressive".
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
Not just that, but our rate of unemployment, murder and rape are also among this highest in the region (and the world)..... that's what i call regress
asiseeit 8 years, 2 months ago
Now if you wanted to say, "This is the worst government The Bahamas has ever seen!" Nobody could say you where wrong.
realfreethinker 8 years, 2 months ago
Now this is something I can agree with
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
me too
sheeprunner12 8 years, 2 months ago
I agree with George Smith's definition of "progressive" ...........paragraph 2 ........... but we all know why this PLP government will not do those three things ........... constitutional, educational and economic reform to benefit the ordinary Bahamian citizens
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Oh George Boy!
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 2 months ago
The Tribune owners and their desire to make a buck anyway they can are the problem and not George Smith!
sheeprunner12 8 years, 2 months ago
Focus on WHAT Georgie said not WHY he said it ............. and give the Tribune credit for printing it ........ this is Trumpian moment
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
So Comrades . . . what do you think? Is there a foundation for the Tribune to allows Georgie Boy, writes he thoughts under his own byline?
Believed by many a reader to be one this newspaper’s most prolific PLP anonymous sources quoted by reporters, don't you thinks the man's has earned his own byline?
Why not title it: "Taking Wonky Potshots at PLP’s, by Georgie Boy".
Also believed to be most deserving of their own bylines, are the two most quoted anonymous sources from red shirts - Papa Hubert and Frankie Howard Watson.
Comrades there are noble anonymous sources and less noble ones - you looks at three to makes ups your own minds.
by TalRussell
Reality_Check 8 years, 2 months ago
There are certain people you don't listen to no matter what they may have to say. George Smith is one of them but sadly the owners of The Tribune feel otherwise...no doubt because they perceive some financial gain to be had by "forcing" him on their readers. Truth be told though, many like me are turning to other sources of Bahamian news.
Zakary 8 years, 2 months ago
Truth be told though, many like me are turning to other sources of Bahamian news.
Well it’s good to read critically and consider the facts. I think the Tribune has done a good job of having open or semi-open discussions in the form of a comment section. It helps clean up a lot of the misrepresentations from both sides of the political spectrum. But I believe you are right, people are changing the way they get news.
Godson 8 years, 2 months ago
You see that... people from varying political divides and backgrounds in The Bahamas can come together and have common grounds and share opinion upon which we all, for the most part, can agree.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 2 months ago
Would "progressive" cover ........... food security, equitable taxation, and timely issuance of documents such as drivers licenses, business documents and personal passports as well??????????
Observer 8 years, 2 months ago
What is the legacy of one Honourable George A. Smith, ex-member of parliament (PLP) for Exuma?
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