By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
ORGANISERS of the Vote No campaign for the upcoming referendum have lashed out at numbers chiefs for attempts to ‘take advantage’ of Bahamians.
Grace Community Church pastor Lyall Bethel said campaigners were still committed to a unanimous no vote despite their efforts being based on a ‘shoe string budget.’
He said they had come up against the campaign by the likes of the numbers chiefs who have said their initiatives could cost around $3 million.
On January 28, 2013, Bahamians will be asked to vote for or against legalising web shops and whether there should be a national lottery.
Over the past few weeks, there have been several sweepstakes and giveaways of houses and cars by numbers house bosses in the run-up to the vote.
Mr Bethel said vote yes organisers had become desperate to secure the support of Bahamians when they turn out to the polls.
He said: “Things have reached a disgrace because these bosses feel that they have free rein. I was very saddened by the whole affair.
“Bahamians should not allow these men to take advantage of their needs for basic necessities like clothes and food.”
Pastor Bethel said the referendum had come down to whom Bahamians want as their God.
“Either they will say they will continue to trust God who has always been our sustainer and provider, or they will say they are putting all their trust in these bosses.”
Pastor Bethel said both the PLP and FNM had been ‘lazy’ in finding new initiatives to funnel money into the economy.
“They should have all been strategising and seeing how best they could have honed the brain power of Bahamians. There are so many different industries that we could have been ahead of the game in.”
In the upcoming weeks, the vote no campaign is expected to carry out more educational initiatives including a television show to be broadcast on ZNS.
Comments
VDSheep 11 years, 11 months ago
All the jargon for not allowing gambling is a farce; even if I agree with them. The reality of doing it - is what the people want. No government or agencies of governments anywhere can stop it! Its what the people want! Government might find political security in putting it to a referendum; they understand the reality and need its support in elections and otherwise. The hypocrisy of religious institutions and others is clear to see. They have raffles and bingo - horse racing was sweet, web shops, good old number houses. But casino gambling is for foreigners only - because you can not trust Bahamians to gamble! Its all hogwash hypocrisy across the board! The referendum ought to ask: Should all games of chance be legalized, regulated and taxed: YES or NO. However, the referendum should also ask more than the one question on gambling - there ought to be at least five other national interest questions put on the referendum.
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