A Politician’s vs. God’s Idea of Building A Nation

By: Professor Dr. Kevin Turnquest Alcena
Ph. D in Economics/Ph. D. in Clinical Psychology/Ph. D. in Public Health/PhD in Herbal & Holistic Medicine/MD,Professor Titular,Attorney-at-Law in the UK ClLex:ACIArb

“A nation is not defined by its borders or the boundaries of its land mass. Rather, a nation is defined by adverse people who have been unified by a cause and a value system and who are committed to a vision for the type of society they wish to live in and give to the future generations to come” (Fela Durotype).

In a world where technology has seen some of its greatest inventions and unprecedented discoveries, the question one should ask is ‘What has made some of these nations, like Japan, China and Saudi Arabia, so powerful?’ What has caused places like these to be so innovative? What formula, skills, talents and abilities they have used to become so great? Well, the secret lies in the architectural design of the building blocks of that nation. So then, on this day, a clarion call is being made to the FNM, PLP, DNA and all aspiring politicians, what is your Social and Economic Contract for the Bahamian people? How do you plan on dealing with the National Debt? What new or refurbished innovations do you have planned to move this country forward through this pandemic and beyond? How do you plan to restructure laws, policies and the country as a whole so that it would benefit the greater good for if not all, most of the Bahamian citizens?

Taking a look at what President Biden did for the American people in the form of the stimulation package to assist and alleviate some of the burden off the backs of the people, does Prime Minister Minnis, opposition leader Brave or any aspiring politician for that matter have the tenacity and imagination to make this economy productive? I daresay, inquiring minds would like to know! To help our learned leaders along in the direction that says we are working for the people, increasing the minimum wage would inadvertently change the economy for the betterment of all wouldn’t you agree! For example, hypothetically speaking of course, if the government were to increase the minimum wage to:$12 .00 per hour will inject in our economy total 150,552000.


Now to all parties old and new what is your formula for the restructuring of the country? How are you going to handle this mandate if you are taking from Peter to give to Paul, which is the kind of economy that we have now? A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on Paul’s support (George Bernard Shaw). Chester Cooper’s idea, then for reducing VAT does not make any good economic sense. VAT should either stay where it is or increase it, but decreasing it is nonsensical. You cannot come and ask to be reelected and not show that you are not for the people when it seems you only serve the elitist! There is too much litigation on in this country with this government and no sort of arbitration. Why is government allowing so many young business to be sued and no sense of conciliations on these lawsuits? Many of the law suits being leveed against the government could be resolved. “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8–9). You are called to speak up for those who cannot speak and to defend those who cannot defend themselves. As a Christian nation have the leaders in the past abdicated there social responsibility in regards to the Bahamain people? I say yes, except for Pindling! Pindling institutionalized this country! Sir Lynden made it possible for the Defence force, Central Bank, NIB, and the list goes on and on. We need a sir Lynden mandate in order to resolve the debt crisis, to resolve the abdication of the lack of the social contract to the Bahamian people.

Now I am impressed with a legislation the FNM has in regards to National Sovereignty, in other words how can we the people benefit from our natural resources. This is important because it shows that the government is considering that the Bahamian people benefit from any natural resources moving forward but we need this legislation ASAP! We also need to see how we can rectify the situation with Freeport. Freeport’s major problem like everywhere else is electricity. A solar revolution in regards to Grand Bahama needs to be implemented. It happened in Algeria and has to be managed based on the natural disasters this country sees each year. We need to be cognizant of the fact that we have more sun than rain and focus on how we can use correct energy strategically going forward. Which is why there should be a sincere effort now passing legislation to show you are with the people and stop being influenced by these old bureaucrats who know nothing about policies and have no new innovations. So, the idea proposed by the opposing party of having a legislation passed on having monetary on mortgages and rent now and any future pandemic or natural disaster is an awesome and profound idea, one that this present government should consider.

The Government is claiming they intend to cut expenditure by 200,000,000,000 but realistically if we want to make a serious impact it should really be a 600,000,000,000 cut as this is critical to achieving the goal of decreasing our debt. For example, we need to consider privatizing UB and the Water & Sewage Corporation, sell Bahamasair to a private entity and subsidize a means of transportation to and from the Family Islands. We need to consider decreasing or eliminating all together the many extra perks given to people in positions. This would include things like gas and car allowances, cellphone and credit cards that all increase government expenses. Moreover, this constant rehiring of retired public service workers needs to cease and desist. Why bring persons like Mrs. Garraway and Mr. Miller, who is 70 years old, back as consultants? What is the logic behind this practice? Are you saying that there are no other competent individuals that are already on the job that can do the same thing? If that be the case then we need to look at our succession planning program and if there is none implement one because this draconian practice only frustrates and stagnates the system.

Moreover, it hinders the promotions of persons who have been waiting, sometimes for years to move up, not to mention all of these young people who are looking and are in need of jobs. It is a total and utter disgrace as these people not only receive a consultants’ fee but receiving pension as well. Those extra funds could have gone to hiring other persons, thus denting the unemployment rate. What influence do these people have that this practice has continued under every successive government? They did it to Ingraham, Christie and now Minnis! What empirical evidence supports the usage of this practice as being a healthy and wise one for our economy, the treasury or the country as a whole? All this does and continues to do is cripple and oppress our country especially since we lack innovation.

Isaiah 10:1–3

“Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;
To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation, which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?”
Mr. Johnson has declared he intends to digitalize the nation, but I ask you sir how is digitalization of the economy going to rectify government waste and government expenditure, as well as resolving the national debt and deficit of this country? Don’t get me wrong digitalization is good, but I still miss my operators assisting me as machines are not real and thus the human element is eliminated all-together. Not to mention this puts more people out of work.

What about young entrepreneurs trying to start a business? Doing so in this country has an elite element! If you are Mr. so and so and so or related to the elite you straight! The regulatory authorities in regards to starting a business have to be revamped if the government really wants a successful initiative in regards to entrepreneurs. The process to starting a business is so tedious. One has to go through Inland Revenue, NIB, Environmental Health, Ministry of Works and then back to Inland Revenue, all with no guarantee of being granted a license, and this has to stop! Now I must give credit to the Prime Minister for what he is trying to do for entrepreneurs. However, sir you must recognize the bureaucracy and policies and somehow find a way to limit this bureaucracy, particularly when it comes to entrepreneurs. We need a start-up business one stop shop, it’s not as complicated as one may think. So, politicians regardless of party, must be aware of the fact that this General Election is going to be based on Bread Basket Issues.

Now, according to Wikipedia the “Social Contract is a theory or model that originated during the Age of Enlightenment and usually concerns the legitimacy of the authority of the state over the individual. Social contract argues that individuals have consented, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority (of the ruler, or to the decision of a majority) in exchange for protection of their remaining rights or maintenance of the social order.” With this in mind then, if we as a people are in essence relinquishing some of our freedom for the protection and sustenance of a stable society, should it not then be the responsibility of the governing body to supply the demand of the covenant we agreed to when we voted for them?

So, again Mr. Prime Minister you are making assertions and promises to us the Bahamian people that this time ‘you will look after the poor.’ Am I to then discern based on what you said that the poor did not come first when you were placed in office by us, the Bahamian people? Were you not for we, the people before now? Do you even remember the last promise you made? You literally deleted and disposed of us the Bahamian people. Your attitude, behavior and overall governance brings to mind an old literary fable that originated in Russian in 1933 and rewritten by Aesop in the 20th century entitled: The Frog and The Scorpion. Do you recall how it goes Mr. Prime Minister? If not, let me refresh your memory!
“A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the
scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The
frog asks, “How do I know you won’t sting me?” The scorpion
says, “Because if I do, I will die too.”
The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream,
the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of
paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown,
but has just enough time to gasp “Why?”
Replies the scorpion: “It’s my nature…”

Dear Mr. Prime Minister are you not mandated to be for the people all the time? Or is it your natural inclination to do what you in directly admitted to and that being to ignore your sovereign duty to all people not just the rich? If you are truly a servant of the people then should not your governance reflect such a thing. When you were elected, could it be that you did not comprehend the fact that being a servant of the people does not mean we serve you but you serve us? Even Christ said in Matthew 20:28 “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” You sir, my learned Prime Minister, are a man of great digosity (internally intellectual), not to mention one of perspicacity (super intellectual), so why then would you make such a promise to the people; that being you will be better to us this time? I, therefore again would like to put into your hearing Mr. Prime Minister that humility is and always has been the order of the day and the foundation of what servant leadership is all about. If I may digress, I refer you Mr. Prime Minister to an authority on the subject. Servant leadership traces its origins to Robert Greenleaf, in his 1970 essay

“The Servant as a Leader,” he described servant leadership like this: “The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first.” Servant leadership flips the typical leadership script by putting people ahead of power. A servant leader prioritizes the team’s growth and well-being, letting their own needs and ambition take a backseat. Moreover, it is often said ‘to be forewarned is to be forearmed’ and that ‘a word to the wise is sufficient.” Let me remind you that God does not walk with those that exalts themselves, but instead He brings them too naught. Are we witnessing then a Nebuchadnezzar saga in The Bahamas? For my learned readers that may have skipped Biblical history, Nebuchadnezzar was a warrior-king, and a military leader of the Neo-Babylonian empire. He ruled from 605–562 BCE in the area around the Tigris-Euphrates basin. King Nebuchadnezzar thought he could exalt himself above God too and in the final analysis God showed him who was really God.
As Daniel 4:25;33–35 proves it:

That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.
And at the end of the days, I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”

As my previous article would have alluded to God is the God of the Chronos and Kairos time and nothing is secret to Him. Thus, as He said in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…” which means He knew who and what you would become. He knew that one day you would be the Prime Minister of this great country and had already chosen you for the job before the “foundations of the world” (Eph. 1:4). I want to emphasize my beloved Prime Minster you did not choose yourself, God appointed you and as such He can also demote you!

Notwithstanding, as leader of this great country, it would be remiss of me not to commend you on the awesome job you have done, particularly during this pandemic and the hurricane prior too. I applaud your continuing efforts to assist the people during this time of crisis. The careful management and screening process of the virus at Her Majesty’s Prison, for example, shows that you have the ability for excellence in governing. The mere fact that unlike other prisons around the world, we have only reported one case is exemplary, especially when one considers the limited space and the persons that occupy it. I therefore, commend you and the Commissioner of Police and those in charge of the prisons! Moreover, the extension of the Unemployment Benefit at N.I.B. is also commendable as it is greatly needed in the country.

These decisions show us that the barefoot boy from Bain Town does still exist and can be brought to the forefront once again. However, do not be misled by this fact and using it as a spring board for accolades that are not warranted as this is what were elected to do! Your job description outlines the things you have listed as being a part of the status quo and as such you are not doing us, the Bahamian people any big favors as this is what you and all elected governmental personnel are paid for. I do not want you in any way to feel as if your achievements warrant more praise than is necessary because God does not share His glory with no man. Furthermore, if you are expecting gratitude above and beyond what is deserved then I would have to question whether or not you really had us the people in mind at all or was it all about you from the beginning? You are paid to protect this country and all that has been done comes with the territory. Not to mention if you are elected for another term, the pension you will receive solidifies you for life! As John F. Kennedy said in his Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961, ‘ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.’

Additionally, Emily Dickinson said, “A word is dead when it is said some say. I say it just begis to live that day.” We must never forget that words have power and that those of us in positions of authority can greatly influence those who follow us to make decisions that can either be beneficial or detrimental to their well-being. To illustrate my point, do you recall the recent banding of former U.S. President Trump from Twitter, Facebook and other forms of social media for his condemnation in encouraging people to storm the U.S. Capitol in protest of his loss. Adler said, “The power-hungry individual leads a path to his own destruction.” President Trump wanted to retain power to the point of inciting a riot and political unrest, during a pandemic just so he could come out on top but in the end all it caused was loss, hurt and harm to others. Do you remember our very own Sir Wallace Whitfield? One comment he made in regards to what he would if elected as Prime Minster caused him not to become Prime Minister at all!
Consequently,

Mr. Prime Minister I call to your attention the comment you made in regards to my learned cousin and the Opposition Leader in the person of Philip Brave Davis: that being “he is contaminated.” I must confess my dear Prime Minister for a man I dearly love and has defended on more than one occasion, I was deeply troubled and most assuredly disappointed to hear such a thing come from you the leader of our country. I never took you for an intellectual bully and was quite shocked to discover that as a medical doctor you would stoop to such levels to get ahead. You seemed to have forgotten that as Prime Minister it means you are in a position of authority and subsequently your words carry much weight and power. Your statements have the ability to produce, heighten or deescalate a situation. If you do not think so, one only has to peruse social media to see that your word #contaminated is trending and that even children are using it to discriminate against other kids. Was this the affect you were going for when those injurious words were spoken? What exactly is so contaminated about ‘Brave and his party?’ Come now Mr. Prime Minister better is expected of you! As it is said in Luke 12:48, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” Using this terminology is unbecoming and belittles an individual.

NO Bahamian is contaminated Mr. Prime Minister, whether it be FNM, PLP, DNA or any political figure. Are we not all God’s children? Did my Lord and your God ever make anything that was contaminated? I submit to you that God’s word declares that “…for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). If God has said that we are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ show me the legal, precedence in law when you have the authority ‘demonize’ an entire political party. Are you taking on the persona of Athaliah who eliminated her own son for the throne? Just so that my readers are clear Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and wife of Jeham, king of Judah. After the death of Ahaziah, her son, Athaliah usurped the throne and reigned for seven years. She massacred all the members of the royal house of Judah except Joash (see 2 Kings 11:1–3). Do you want a wipe out a whole political party to retain power? If that’s the game it will not happen! Remember that God supercedes time and as such knows the thoughts and the intent of every man’s heart. He knows the beginning before the end and will not allow anything to happen without his saying. Do not forget who has the ultimate power, care and control, none but my Lord and your God. In the words of President Kennedy, “We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us thru that darkness to a safe and sane future.”

“Success and social promotion are not some right that anybody can claim after queuing at some [government office]. It is better: it is a right, a right that one can merit because of one’s sweat.” (Nicolas Sarkozy) If I can once again digress Mr. Prime Minister and bring to your attention the immediate and absolute necessity to revamping our entire educational system which has been archaic for far too long.

While I do commend our honorable Minister of Education Mr. Jeffery Lloyd on his implementation and improvements of technology in the schools, more work must be done in an effort to increase our national average from a D to an A. Furthermore, this idea of social promotion in the schools has to stop as it has contributed greatly to a country filled with unskilled and unemployable individuals and thus should be rectified. Norman Vincent Peale said, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” If you’re aiming for something, even if you don’t achieve it, you’ll still be somewhere better than where you started.” Hence, while it may an incredible feat, we are undertaking it is one that is necessary if we are to correct the national average, produce more productive and skilled citizens in our society.

The more educated and skilled people we have increases chances of employability and marketable skills. This then affects the crime rate as joblessness is a direct correlation to the high cases of petty crimes in the country. Moreover, it decreases the need for us to outsourcing outside of the country if we have more skilled workers within. Ecclesiastes 7:12 says, “For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.” This social promotion has done a disservice to the children and injustice to our country in the long run. How then can we begin the process of altering this problem? We can begin where we started. We need the old Government High School back! Why do continue putting illiterate children who cannot read and write in ten classes a day when all it does is frustrate the teachers and students alike. At present we as a country rank #7 in the Caribbean Countries in terms of literacy. We should then ask the question what are the other six countries doing that there numbers are much higher than ours and how can we in turn adopt some of these practices to improve our ranking.

Country
Adult Literacy Rate
1.

Cuba

99.8
2.

Barbados

99.7
3.

Trinidad and Tobago

98.6
4.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

97.8
5.

Grenada

96.0
6.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

96.0
7.

Bahamas, The

95.6
8.

Dominica

94.0
9.

Saint Lucia

90.1
10.

Jamaica

87.9
11.

Dominican Republic

87.0
12.

Antigua and Barbuda

85.8
13.

Haiti

52.9

Moreover, Mr. Prime Minister we must be realistic about the capabilities of our children, not all are meant to be doctors and lawyers. Some of these children that are not academically inclined are most assuredly skilled with their hands. We need to re-implement Vocational High Schools and Work Study Programs from seventh grade and begin the process of placing these children on a career path that will give them a much more viable chance of surviving in society. Furthermore, we often complain about the trade areas lacking qualified Bahamians to do the jobs and so we higher people from outside of the country who we pay thousands of dollars to come here and do what we can train our own people to do. Not to mention outsourcing guarantees that the monies do not stay in the country and circulate back into our own economy. We can take this one step further and conclude that training our own people decreases crime and unemployment while improving the production of products and services in the country.

But if we are really serious about a major change in education we cannot avoid or ignore the power of technology. While many of our kids may not be academically inclined, they all have a knack for computers and the various technologies that exist. They are even able to manipulate the programs from the various technology to their advantage. This was proven this very year when The Ministry implemented its Virtual Schooling and discovered that many of the kids were hacking the system, taking over the teachers’ classes, logging on as other students and creating mischief in these kids’ name, and the funny thing is administration nor the Ministry technologic branch were able to stop the kids from doing so!

The irony is that some of these students are the same ones that cannot even maintain a C average in school, but have the ability to be so tech savvy. I daresay we should then implement programs that cater to building, creating and using technology so that these children will utilize these skills more productively. Steve Jobs said, “It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people to tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.” Mr. Prime Minister part of the problem in this country is that we discount the bright minds of young people and simply assume that the older person has all the answers, but if we are truly honest with ourselves, wisdom does not always come with age; some of the most foolish people are old! Isaiah 11:6 says, “…And a little child shall lead them.” I submit to you Mr. Prime Minister that serious consideration should be given in regards to investing in a Technological High School that encourages innovations and new inventions. If anything, this pandemic should have taught us it was that the old way of doing things in no longer a viable option

In concluding, Voltaire said, “No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking. The instruction we find in books is like fire. We fetch it from our neighbours, kindle it at home, communicate it to others, and it becomes the property of all.” In other words, Mr. Prime Minister we must be the change we want to see. We cannot teach our children and the people who follow us to treat people with dignity and respect and turn and publicly demean and humiliate others. You sir, must remember that you hold the highest position in the land and therefore will be held accountable by those who follow, but most of importantly God holds you in account and will bring everything you say into judgement. Do not forget God’s Law of Reciprocity, He will not allow any of our deeds to go unpunished and that includes you to Mr. Prime Minister. Proverbs 18:21 puts it this way: “The tongue has the power of life and death.” The stakes are high. Your words can either speak life, or your words can speak death. Our tongues can build others up, or they can tear them down. Be careful how you tread sir as there is a reconning day for us all even you! I once again want to reiterate that this country is in need of a servant leader and one that has a mind, heart and empathy for the people. I leave you my learned readers with the words of John Quincy Adams said, “If your actions inspire people to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” Ask yourself are you such an individual?

REFERENCES
Correlli, John. 1- Principles of Servant Leadership and Why It’s Our Favorite Style. October 31, 2019. Teamganatt.com/blog/servant-leadership.
Kennedy, John F. Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You. Inaugural Address — January 20, 1961. Ushistory.org/documents.ask-not.htm.
Pryke, Louise. Nebuchadnezzar Edplained.Warrior-King, Rebuilder of Cities & Musical Muse. January 2oth, 2020. theconversation.com/nebuchadnezzar-explained-warrior-king-rebuilder-of-cities-and-musical-muse127498#.
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