EDITOR, The Tribune
I was very disappointed with the Prime Minister‘s decision to reopen the numbers web shops.
As a result of Hurricane Dorian and the ongoing Corona virus, the Bahamas government has disbursed many millions of dollars from the NIB fund in unemployment, housing and food benefits. The continued financial health of this rapidly depleted fund should be a major concern to the many thousands of Bahamians who now rely on, and will continue to rely on, NIB as their only means of income and subsistence.
It would be interesting to know what percentage of these recently disbursed funds will now end up in the coffers of the numbers houses rather than spent on what they were intended for, ie food and housing, etc. Do the taxes derived from the number’s businesses compensate for the social disintegration on the flipside of that coin? These are numbers of diminishing returns.
The proliferation of these government sanctioned rackets is a blight on the country, equally as insidious, addictive and destructive as the cocaine epidemic of the Pindling era was. Having looked upon all this, what do you tell the man in the mirror Prime Minister?
IAN MABON
Nassau,
May 7, 2020.
Comments
DDK 3 years, 11 months ago
In total agreement, Mr.Mabon. Quite a few 'comrades' have stated this week the same disappointment and their renewed conviction that the economy of the Country cannot possibly rebound with these rogues in operation. Sadly, the current Government, like the former, is in bed with the betting bosses and possesses neither the will nor the inclination to rid the Country of this vile epidemic. Too bad they don't call them COVID-242 and act accordingly. BTW, hopefully the PM will say to his reflection; "Gee, I am really not cut out for this position. Time to step aside!" .
Porcupine 3 years, 11 months ago
Agree DDK. With all of it.
truetruebahamian 3 years, 11 months ago
After getting drunk and losing all their money at the numbers shops they will cry poor mouth, blame anyone else but themselves and say that they are hungry, need food to eat for themselves and family and expect the government (taxpayer money) to feed and shelter them.
joeblow 3 years, 11 months ago
… well actually right now most of them working on having more 'chirren' they can't afford because the simple just want to feel better!!
I expect there to be an explosion in births by the end of the year (or record numbers of abortions).
Well_mudda_take_sic 3 years, 11 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
Honestman 3 years, 11 months ago
Disgraceful decision by government to allow these parasitical organisations to open at this time of national crisis. Bahamians should be saving every spare cent they have in these challenging times.
birdiestrachan 3 years, 11 months ago
May Mr: Pindling soul rest in peace.
The all mighty God who made man. gave them free choice. Two roads to travel. to choose who they will follow.
adults buy numbers it is their choice..
Lest we forget. The Government receives lots of money from number houses.
Porcupine 3 years, 11 months ago
No they do not birdie. It is far too little in taxes they pay. Look at the governments own numbers. Do your homework before you write. God almighty gave our leaders free choice too. Do the right thing and help those who can't help themselves. Gambling is too often an addition. Especially in this country. Shame on you for being so duplicitous and using the lord's name to cloak your hypocritical ignorance. you have the freedom to walk down the road naked without a face mask? You gonna do it and say god gave you that right to the police officer who is arresting you?
Well_mudda_take_sic 3 years, 11 months ago
Couldn't agree more with Ian Mabon on this point.
Porcupine 3 years, 11 months ago
Must cast my lot with Mr. Mabon, as well.
birdiestrachan 3 years, 11 months ago
Cuss me up one side and down other. Insult me all you want it is still true humane beings have choices.
As for walking about naked. actions have consequences. Grown people have choices and Mabon nor any one else can hold them hostage .
Porcupine 3 years, 11 months ago
Yikes!
Porcupine 3 years, 11 months ago
Do inhumane beings have choices? Just asking?
Tarzan 3 years, 11 months ago
Humans have the choice to rob, steal, murder and cheat, does that mean that a civilized government should sanction those activities? Anyone who studies the problem knows that many gamblers are addicted, and impose serious damage and suffering on their families and the greater society. It is a fiction that what they do hurts no one but themselves.
pileit 3 years, 11 months ago
fckouttahere Birdie, waste of text.
moncurcool 3 years, 11 months ago
It is sad how PLP koolaid does not allow you to think for yourself.
themessenger 3 years, 11 months ago
Be that as it may bird droppings, as we listened to the prime minister’s address we noted that he has now rescinded the numbers house’s permission to operate at this time so Mabon mussy mash at least one corn. BTW, hope I never see have to see you naked, ten ten da bible ten!!
tetelestai 3 years, 11 months ago
Could not disagree more with Mabon. Typical black person cant take care of their own money, because we are so stupid that we will gamble all of our paychecks rhetoric. Simplistic, sophmoric and specious.
birdiestrachan 3 years, 11 months ago
teteistal thank you.
My issue is not with number houses open or not.
But with the ability of grown people to decide what is good for them. They are not children and should not be treated as such.
The foolish talk about walking about naked and committing crime is just that foolish talk.
It is the peoples time they say.
moncurcool 3 years, 11 months ago
And the people had said no to gambling, but the PLP ignored the people.
mandela 3 years, 11 months ago
Do not understand why the gaming houses are so demonized, they do not hold a gun to anyone heads and say enter and play or you die, they pay more taxes than any other businesses which go into the public treasury, in crises, they help more person than all of the business combined black or white, they are still paying salaries for their staff keeping them off the burden of NIB, just because they are owned by blacks it's a problem, if they were owned by whites or Chinese there would be no outcry. There are many businesses owned by whites with hundreds of millions and millions and they will help only themselves, they do nothing for the inner cities, when a person turns18 they are considered an adult allowing them to vote if they choose to or not, the same goes for any person 18yrs or older when it comes to visiting the gaming houses. we live in a democratic country no a communice state, we pretend to be a Christian society but turn our backs to all other unChristian like activities which make us pure hypocrites. Black people needs to stop hating and tearing each other down for their own jealous and selfish reasons.
themessenger 3 years, 11 months ago
Don’t know or understand how this morphed into a black and white issue as there was nothing in Mabon’s letter that spoke to race or color. These comments in that vein however speak volumes as to the thought processes of their authors while they conveniently ignore the damage done to countless households and relationships because of gambling, sad. Oh my people, they won’t let you down, they won’t disappoint you!
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