15^th March , 2001
 
 

Salutations!!!

My brothers and sisters, I greet you in peace and love as the Representative of the Malcolm Creek constituency. I wish to thank the people of that great constituency for their support, encouragement, and love. I have done my best to remain true to the original tenets of the party, seeking to observe those principles which we espoused along that long hard journey to becoming the majority party in this country.

It seems like only yesterday that our party, the Free National Movement, was elected to its second term of office as the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Our party assumed power ever mindful of that old proverb "when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice… but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn". We believed that a government, any government which sought to victimize persons because they had different political views from the wielders of power was inhumane and against the laws of natural justice. We felt, (and I assure you that I felt) the pain and hurt of those persons who suffered the high-handed decisions of those arrayed against natural justice for the masses of Bahamian people.

We realized that the struggle for democracy was one which had to be continued day in, and day out. We knew also that after an FNM victory, that continued vigilance would be necessary. We believed then that democracy is strengthened when there is a forthright dialogue about different points of view. That is the genesis of the two consecutive electoral victories by this Free National Movement Party.

Those of us privileged to successfully contest a seat for Parliament were constantly reminded by our supporters to honour our respective offices. We fought hard, and the Bahamian people fought and supported us just as hard. I want to thank you for that commitment.

As for me, I had pledged, and continue to believe that my personal political fortunes, are nowhere as important as the needs and services which are essential to the well-being of the Bahamian people.

You know how us FNMs go, we still have that fever inside our hearts to create wider opportunities for all of our beloved citizens. It is the peoples’ entitlement, and our obligation to seek to deliver on those opportunities. Therefore our party accepted the proposition that the Bahamian people wanted programmes which were realistic in scope, and designed (and articulated) not as sweet music for the ears, but as reasoned, logical policy options for our people. Seeking always to plan not for the next election but for the next generation. Fighting to place the emphasis not on "me" but on "we".

The result of all that I have said was the publication of a manifesto which forms the basis of the FNM’s contract with you. You can assess the extent to which the FNM government has adhered to the manifesto of the FNM party. I believe that the Government has devoted much effort to fulfilling the promises made in the manifesto, and I commend the FNM government for the successes in that regard. I wish also to thank the government for its significant expenditure to upgrade the roads in my constituency, and for the provision of other essential services either in or adjacent to my constituency.

Paramount in government’s successes have been the freeing of the airwaves through the issuance of private radio licenses, and the creation of the conditions conducive to foreign investment. The airwaves are free, and the influx of foreign investment has produced jobs and healthy us$ reserves. Yet, even as we sought to soar with the eagles there were further challenges on the horizon: three organizations of the G7 countries (that is, the industrialized countries) launched an attack on a number of the less powerful offshore financial centers which included the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. These organizations are fingers of the same hand. They are the Financial Stability Forum (FSF), the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and the Organisation for Economic Development and Co-operation (OECD). Now! The FSF say that they want us to allow regulators from other countries to come in and examine the affairs of banks which originate in those other countries, and for regulators to exchange information as if we all are one. The FATF claim that we are not co-operative in the war against money laundering. The OECD say that our tax structure is harmful to them.

Well the Bahamas has amended its laws extensively. The FSF should be satisfied. The FATF is unfair it is unfair because most money laundering takes place in large economies where transactions can pass un-noticed. 70% of the world’s financial fraud takes place in New York City. No significant money laundering takes place in the Bahamas certainly not what they envision. Did you know that just last week fifteen banks in London were found to have laundered money? The pot is calling the kettle "black"!!! As for the OECD they should be put on notice that our system of taxation works for us. Due to the nature of our economy, income tax would not work. We are not a manufacturing economy so the value added tax would not work. Obviously because we manufacture very little, and import so very much, it is better to tax by customs duties as imports are landed . So the OECD should leave us alone. Perhaps if their taxes were not so confiscatory then their citizens would not run to hide their money from the tax man. You know I had a client from Canada tell me the other day that he was artificially suppressing the development of new business. As it turned out, it had nothing to do with an inability to service his customers, rather, he did not want to make more money because it would push him up into a higher tax bracket where the tax man would take more of the extra money than the client would get and that can never be a good thing. So they take their money and invest in countries where taxes are lower even into the USA.. Tax competition has always been a legitimate way to attract investment, the US has been doing it to Europe for years. So every year the high tax countries collect less taxes, then have to finance the shortfall, and then raise taxes on an ever-shrinking revenue base. So when they "freak-out" you see a report like the one the OECD issued on harmful tax competition. These initiatives have nothing to do with fairness and the enhancement of our country, and everything to do with imperialism, jealousy, and the desire to dominate weaker countries like our beloved Bahamaland. All Bahamians will have to join hands on this particular challenge if our nation is to survive it. We have come too far as a people to allow foreign technocrats to bring hardship to our people. They are not our friends, all Bahamians of all political persuasions will have to put their shoulders to the wheel. Only God knows how this latest war will be won.

We are still challenged by the problems besetting the nation’s youth and I still believe that the nation desires a very comprehensive and structured National Youth Service of some sort. But us adults

must stop giving them double standards and double talk. Our youth need our help and guidance to make it you know, particularly in these times when there are so many dangers out there. Their transition to manhood, and womanhood, should be a time of exuberance, as they use their energies and creativity to prepare themselves for the leadership of the Bahamian society. I say to the youth be ambitious produce ideas, sparkle with enthusiasm remind us about some of the ideals that we have forgotten help this country to be more than it is.

We must not forget our Christian teachings which enable us to stand tall, and to face the fears of daily life. Ministers of religion will remember that Christ ministered to the body as well as the soul after all he fed the hungry, healed the sick, and taught his word.

More than fancy churches ,and material things people count the most.

My brothers and sisters, there is still much left to be done, work is never done and I know that you expect more from us as time goes on. I know you concerns about crime, and I believe that the police are committed to easing your fears. I am so glad that they heeded the call of myself and others to use the police check-point system I believe that system can work wonders in law enforcement. The Free National Movement has done a great work on your behalf, and I ask you to remember us in your prayers that we will at all times do what is right, and that we will be ever faithful to you. May God continue to bless us.