|
Last Updated: Feb 27, 2012 - 10:20:18 PM |
 London, United Kingdom – The much-anticipated upcoming general election is expected to be formally called and Parliament dissolved by Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, within the next few weeks. Established youth organization (organizers of the ‘Say Something’ youth forum), ‘We Are The Future’ – A Youth Organization in conjunction with its election arm ‘Truth Bahamas’, wishes to engage those seeking election in discussion, on the key issues currently affecting The Bahamas.
The governing Free National Movement, the official opposition Progressive Liberal Party and the newly formed Democratic National Alliance have now all officially launched their candidates. It would, therefore, appear that the three political parties, as well as the numerous independent candidates, are ready for the campaign ahead of the general election.
Notwithstanding the lights, carefully orchestrated political performances and the professionally drafted, repetitious, empty and partisan rhetoric, without a clear statement of the issues currently facing The Bahamas and a clear statement of each party’s policy position on those issues, it would appear that no one is ready to actually govern the country for the next five years, if elected. While it is imperative for each party to outline what it intends to do if elected, this rhetoric is not helpful and is moreover unrealistic, especially considering the flexibility required in governance, as well as the unstable global economic climate in which the elected government must operate.
Where the leaders of the respective parties have made traditional campaign promises, there has been no substantial and realistic discussion as to the viability of these promises and absolutely no indication of the source of funds required to make such promises a reality.
Whilst we understand that election campaign literature (Manifesto 2012, Our Plan etc) has yet to be published, ‘We Are The Future’ – A Youth Organization, on behalf of the youth electorate, call for this literature to include a clear statement of each party’s policy, as it relates to the following key issues currently facing The Bahamas:
1. Crime – including proposed statutory amendments to ensure that justice is properly served and safeguarded in the interest of society, propositions for the enhancement of the prosecution capabilities at the Attorney General’s Office, propositions for the preservation of independent prosecutions inclusive of the source of additional resources to be allocated for crime fighting (if any), etc;
2. The Judiciary – including parties’ policy on protecting the independence of the judiciary, propositions on expanding the number of judicial officers, propositions for the modernization of the various judicial Registries inclusive of the source of additional resources to be allocated for crime fighting (if any), etc;
3. Immigration:
i. general policy on immigration, more specifically including parties’ policy on illegal immigrants, those working and residing within The Bahamas without leave to work and/or remain, policy on present statutory framework and proposed amendments to either regularize and/or crack down on illegal immigration;
ii. general policy on foreign labor, more specifically including an established and transparent process for the grant of work permits, such that the same may be subject to proper scrutiny, whether public, judicial or otherwise, etc;
4. The economy - general economic and monetary policy, including propositions to diversify the current economic model, relieving the present day reliance on tourism, inclusive of the source of additional resources to be allocated on such diversification (if any);
5. Tax – general policy for a sustainable system of taxation, more specifically propositions for the overhaul of the current tax regime, more specifically, policy and propositions on income tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), sales tax, corporation tax, etc;
6. Oil exploration & drilling – general policy on offshore oil exploration and drilling, more specifically, in support of it or not, if so, policy on the requisite environmental protections and tax framework, immigration policy relating to the required specialist workforce, policy on educating young Bahamians in specialist areas;
7. The environment – general policy for a sustainable environment, more specifically, proposed legislative programme to ensure protection of the environment, etc;
8. Youth entrepreneurship – general policy to encouraging youth entrepreneurship;
9. Social welfare – general policy for sustainable social welfare, inclusive of the source of additional resources to be allocated for proposals (if any);
10. Unemployment – general policy to reducing unemployment, inclusive of the source of additional resources to be allocated for proposals (if any); and
11. Sports – general policy to encourage sporting in The Bahamas.
The country looks forward to considering parties’ and candidates’ policy on the issues in exercising the established democratic tradition through the upcoming general election.
About The Truth Bahamas
The Truth Bahamas is a project of ‘We Are the Future’ – A Youth Organization specifically designed to encourage responsible voting by acting as a means of engaging young Bahamians, many of whom are first time voters, by stimulating political debate and discussion, as well as through the dissemination of information. Our website, specifically aimed at the dissemination of information and the discussion of national issues is coming soon
About ‘We Are The Future’ – A Youth Organization
A Brief History
‘We Are The Future’, A Youth Organization was established as an engine for the youth of The Bahamas to make a positive and marked impact in the development of our country. ‘We Are The Future’ came into existence in the Summer of 2008 when a group of ‘nationally interested’ young people came together to solidify a vision that was seemingly impossible. This vision is one that was formed with the zest, excitement and eagerness of young Bahamians and is that to see a more inclusive, bi-partisan and constructive approach taken to the development of sustained national success within The Bahamas.
Our Beliefs
We believe that in order for our country – The Bahamas, to place itself on the best possible footing for the future; the views of its Youth should be sought, respected and endeared, as it is us that are poised to lead the country in the future.
Our Vision
It is our vision to act so as to encourage a generation and culture of ‘youth concerned with nation building’. In achieving this we seek to enable the voices of the Bahamian Youth, at large, to be heard in a public and non-political environment which would allow opinions, constructive criticisms, visions and suggestions for the nation be expressed in a meaningful and appropriate manner; without fear or prejudice. This active encouragement includes enabling and empowering the Bahamian Youth to have their voices heard and respected in an engaging and appropriate forum whilst gaining an understanding of and appreciation for the underlying policy choices behind decisions which face our nation.
http://futurebahamas.weebly.com/
© Copyright 2012 by thebahamasweekly.com
Top of Page
|
