Kairos
10-10-03, - 11:46 PM
Growing Mediocrity
Kairos
The early signs were always there for the critical eye to see the evidence of growing mediocrity throughout many parts of The Bahamas. However, after a year of hype and spin it is increasingly evident to all, but the most ardent supporter, that the PLP Government and its leadership are taking the Bahamas down a road of mediocrity, which The Bahamas can ill afford to travel. Rather than continue the relentless pursuit of excellence in all we do, we are instead led down a road of slow decline.
The overwhelming numbers achieved by the PLP, in the 2002 General Elections, has brought about a resurgence of much that is tribal and terrible in The Bahamian political past. Rather than embrace the opportunity to expand the national development, accelerate change, deliver on the promise of openness and true stewardship and empower those who expressed, so vehemently their spite for the FNM, the PLP threatens to bring The Bahamas to a place of darkness. This may seem extreme, for there are no visible signs of dictatorship, no creeping hooliganism, no secret societies (?). Yet I am not persuaded against my conclusion that we are headed for darkness and decay rather than being led into the light of efficient, democratic government.
The government’s control of the media is aided and abetted by a deep-rooted fear of the PLP. The compliant forgetfulness of the media to remind Ministers and the Public, that much of what they pontificate about is not new is wrong for a growing democracy. The lack of informed perspective leaves the headline hungry hounds of the ambitious PLP free to manipulate the wishy-washy nature of Bahamian news agencies.
The indecisiveness and absence of a clear vision mirrors the absence of a coherent national agenda. The lack of focus is evident in the creeping slowness of decisions and the growing inertia. In many cases it is fueled by fear of reprisal. For certain Ministers are not above vilification and threats. For example, the civil service is supposed to be politically neutral, but the PLP, with arrogant recall of its mandate, bosses them around and breeds a level of rebellion that is chilling in its implications. Revolt and resentment come in many forms. In the Public service of The Bahamas it can range from the passive servility of “…yes Minster…” to open hostile street rebellion. In its most insidious form it takes the position of not offering advice; it does exactly what it is told and only when it is told specifically, and often. It is crippling The Bahamas, politically, economically and socially.
The PLP is good at spin. Spin is okay, once you have some substance and a list of achievements to put your stamp on. Empty spin produces contempt and a credibility gap. The Country is increasingly falling into the yawning credibility gap of the distance between the facts and pronouncements. Because the PLP is able to hitch hike on a number of accomplishments of The FNM and label them as its own, the PLP further fuels contempt and cynicism.
In the most glaring international example of “…catch me if you can…” The Soviet Union was brought down by its inability to control the information flow and to make real life reflect the lies about its economy. I fear in The Bahamas, the constant refrain of how well we are withstanding external shocks and the reality of life, in many of our communities will soon come into direct conflict.
The evidence of a spin hoax is hard to refute. The many Bahamians employed on the street are not equipped with productivity improving tools to increase their output and teach them lifetime skills. Those who place them at work with primitive tools, force them to surrender their labour and aspirations. They callously help these people down the road of mediocrity. The Bahamas cannot spend its human resources this way.
The Minster of Foreign Affairs travels to China. In his insatiable desire to keep in the headlines he calls, or has a reporter file a story home everyday. This is the same Minister and member of the same party, which excoriated the FNM for joining with The Peoples’ Republic of China and ceasing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Today, in his view and that of his Government, China has become the bulwark of the Bahamas’ future.
The same party, which voted in Parliament for a Referendum, indeed recommended one, then in an about face, turned to the public and whipped up a frenzy of doubt in the minds of Bahamians. The PLP was successful in defeating the referendum. This Party, now the Government, has appointed a constitutional commission (headed by persons who fought against the Referendum) with the most sweeping mandate, to review and possibly, to rewrite the constitution! Old prejudices, old baggage, old anger and the manifestations of these cannot be allowed to be written in stone by this group.
The Minster of Immigration is presiding over a power keg. Each week significant numbers of persons legitimately qualify under the Bahamian Constiution for entitlements of citizenship, permanent residency and spousal permits. The substantial number of persons who qualify for just, warranted and equitable consideration under the laws of The Bahamas are made to wait interminable intervals. The Minister is not diligent and meetings are irregular and infrequent. The strength of his utterances is muted by the harsh reality of neglect. The inescapable fact is that the hundreds who are not accommodated keeps growing. The result is galloping corruption, exit of trained nationals, tension and social decay.
The Minster for Financial Services appears in the local news; casting a fly rod in the Western United States, and extolling the benefits of bone fishing. This from a member of a government, still deliberating about the efficacy of marine protected areas and protecting grouper, conch and wildlife habitats in light of overwhelming evidence of near collapse of these important elements of The Bahamas’ most precious natural resource. Is it that they believe everyone is blind, deaf and without understanding? When will words follow deeds, when will actions generate hype? When will this relentless propaganda cease?
The growing resentment, bred and cultivated by the unbridled hypocrisy, will place a costly burden on future administrations and wreak havoc with the public trust.
The Government has failed to engender a spirit of oneness in The Bahamas. It has allowed spite and vindictiveness to come back. It has stirred up the most virulent old resentments and prejudices. The government has used consultation and commissions, under the guise of inclusion, to delay decisive action. Its lackluster leadership is hamstrung.
The Government has spawned a culture of greed, by allowing its members to rule unchallenged over little fiefdoms. The Government has reduced the level of expectations and aspirations among Bahamians, by governing at such a mediocre standard; they have lowered the bar.
Kairos
The early signs were always there for the critical eye to see the evidence of growing mediocrity throughout many parts of The Bahamas. However, after a year of hype and spin it is increasingly evident to all, but the most ardent supporter, that the PLP Government and its leadership are taking the Bahamas down a road of mediocrity, which The Bahamas can ill afford to travel. Rather than continue the relentless pursuit of excellence in all we do, we are instead led down a road of slow decline.
The overwhelming numbers achieved by the PLP, in the 2002 General Elections, has brought about a resurgence of much that is tribal and terrible in The Bahamian political past. Rather than embrace the opportunity to expand the national development, accelerate change, deliver on the promise of openness and true stewardship and empower those who expressed, so vehemently their spite for the FNM, the PLP threatens to bring The Bahamas to a place of darkness. This may seem extreme, for there are no visible signs of dictatorship, no creeping hooliganism, no secret societies (?). Yet I am not persuaded against my conclusion that we are headed for darkness and decay rather than being led into the light of efficient, democratic government.
The government’s control of the media is aided and abetted by a deep-rooted fear of the PLP. The compliant forgetfulness of the media to remind Ministers and the Public, that much of what they pontificate about is not new is wrong for a growing democracy. The lack of informed perspective leaves the headline hungry hounds of the ambitious PLP free to manipulate the wishy-washy nature of Bahamian news agencies.
The indecisiveness and absence of a clear vision mirrors the absence of a coherent national agenda. The lack of focus is evident in the creeping slowness of decisions and the growing inertia. In many cases it is fueled by fear of reprisal. For certain Ministers are not above vilification and threats. For example, the civil service is supposed to be politically neutral, but the PLP, with arrogant recall of its mandate, bosses them around and breeds a level of rebellion that is chilling in its implications. Revolt and resentment come in many forms. In the Public service of The Bahamas it can range from the passive servility of “…yes Minster…” to open hostile street rebellion. In its most insidious form it takes the position of not offering advice; it does exactly what it is told and only when it is told specifically, and often. It is crippling The Bahamas, politically, economically and socially.
The PLP is good at spin. Spin is okay, once you have some substance and a list of achievements to put your stamp on. Empty spin produces contempt and a credibility gap. The Country is increasingly falling into the yawning credibility gap of the distance between the facts and pronouncements. Because the PLP is able to hitch hike on a number of accomplishments of The FNM and label them as its own, the PLP further fuels contempt and cynicism.
In the most glaring international example of “…catch me if you can…” The Soviet Union was brought down by its inability to control the information flow and to make real life reflect the lies about its economy. I fear in The Bahamas, the constant refrain of how well we are withstanding external shocks and the reality of life, in many of our communities will soon come into direct conflict.
The evidence of a spin hoax is hard to refute. The many Bahamians employed on the street are not equipped with productivity improving tools to increase their output and teach them lifetime skills. Those who place them at work with primitive tools, force them to surrender their labour and aspirations. They callously help these people down the road of mediocrity. The Bahamas cannot spend its human resources this way.
The Minster of Foreign Affairs travels to China. In his insatiable desire to keep in the headlines he calls, or has a reporter file a story home everyday. This is the same Minister and member of the same party, which excoriated the FNM for joining with The Peoples’ Republic of China and ceasing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Today, in his view and that of his Government, China has become the bulwark of the Bahamas’ future.
The same party, which voted in Parliament for a Referendum, indeed recommended one, then in an about face, turned to the public and whipped up a frenzy of doubt in the minds of Bahamians. The PLP was successful in defeating the referendum. This Party, now the Government, has appointed a constitutional commission (headed by persons who fought against the Referendum) with the most sweeping mandate, to review and possibly, to rewrite the constitution! Old prejudices, old baggage, old anger and the manifestations of these cannot be allowed to be written in stone by this group.
The Minster of Immigration is presiding over a power keg. Each week significant numbers of persons legitimately qualify under the Bahamian Constiution for entitlements of citizenship, permanent residency and spousal permits. The substantial number of persons who qualify for just, warranted and equitable consideration under the laws of The Bahamas are made to wait interminable intervals. The Minister is not diligent and meetings are irregular and infrequent. The strength of his utterances is muted by the harsh reality of neglect. The inescapable fact is that the hundreds who are not accommodated keeps growing. The result is galloping corruption, exit of trained nationals, tension and social decay.
The Minster for Financial Services appears in the local news; casting a fly rod in the Western United States, and extolling the benefits of bone fishing. This from a member of a government, still deliberating about the efficacy of marine protected areas and protecting grouper, conch and wildlife habitats in light of overwhelming evidence of near collapse of these important elements of The Bahamas’ most precious natural resource. Is it that they believe everyone is blind, deaf and without understanding? When will words follow deeds, when will actions generate hype? When will this relentless propaganda cease?
The growing resentment, bred and cultivated by the unbridled hypocrisy, will place a costly burden on future administrations and wreak havoc with the public trust.
The Government has failed to engender a spirit of oneness in The Bahamas. It has allowed spite and vindictiveness to come back. It has stirred up the most virulent old resentments and prejudices. The government has used consultation and commissions, under the guise of inclusion, to delay decisive action. Its lackluster leadership is hamstrung.
The Government has spawned a culture of greed, by allowing its members to rule unchallenged over little fiefdoms. The Government has reduced the level of expectations and aspirations among Bahamians, by governing at such a mediocre standard; they have lowered the bar.