The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT is extremely unfortunate that the Prime Minister received the blow back that he did from the Bahamian people concerning how he decided to assist post-hurricane Dominican students, however all of the criticism he received was self inflicted.

He obviously committed to an idea without thinking of the ramifications of it first. He could have tested the waters by advising the Bahamian people that he was considering such a move. I suspect he does not understand that this move establishes a precedent that is unsustainable.

As I read the dailies regarding comments made by some of those in support of Dr Minnis’s idea, I could not help but notice that many of the names of those who commented were not Bahamian.

Many of their comments reeked of a sense of entitlement and ingratitude; that is exactly why many Bahamians have a problem with this decision.

Many, not all, immigrants lack the expected gratitude they should have for their host country. Average Bahamians watch immigrants come into our country and do all sorts of things to eke out a living for themselves. Many are competing with Bahamians for jobs. Far too many Bahamians feel marginalised in their own country. This is a problem!

It is disingenuous to say that those opposed to Dr Minnis’s idea are being unChristian. They are not opposed to helping those in distress, but the manner in which the help is being given.

Many of those who now speak of what is and is not the “Christian” thing to do would eagerly support gay marriage or the LGBTQ agenda.

Some of these same politicians were fired for unchristian conflicts of interest in the past. I hope that all politicians in government at this time will remember that that nepotism is also unchristian.

There are a million and one ways our country could help other countries affected by hurricanes. No one is suggesting that we should not be our brother’s keeper.

This is not a situation that requires high emotions, but a rational mind, that understands that the only reason our country stays afloat is because we borrow substantial amounts of money. We need wisdom and commonsense in making decisions, not outbursts of emotion.

Bahamians are some of the most generous, kindhearted people in the Caribbean, but our patience and generosity has limits. Our leaders should take note (ask Perry Christie).

JB

Nassau,

September 28, 2017.