The Tribune

AS ELECTIONS near, there are certain things we know to expect in The Bahamas.

There will be rallies and speeches and most of those rallies will have more promises and fast food than real meat on the issues. Party generals will hobnob. Party foot soldiers will work the streets. Every candidate of every part, no matter how many splinter groups there are, will have the same goal in mind - to win votes by persuading every potential, prospective voter that they will be better off if they elect them.

We would not try to suggest changing the frenzied rites of election. Every candidate has the right - and many have the ability - to make their case and win votes. But only one party has the ability to persuade by pocketbook. We are not talking about the $50 or $100 bills tucked into rolled up t-shirts, but by spending wildly, recklessly, sparing no expense to buy the loyalty of a nation while leaving the people or the next government drowning in debt.

That one party is the governing party.

The temptation to spend will be great. If a recent survey was accurate, and we have no reason to suspect it was not, this will be a very tight and hard-fought election. That means the sitting government, which holds the chequebook and the connection to external sources for funds, may very well be tempted to do as they say spend like drunken sailors.

We watched it happen in Australia three years ago and the ruling party retained the government despite Opposition MP Tony Abbott warning them constantly to stop spending like drunken sailors. Abbott repeated it so frequently during the run-up to the election that the Australian Navy demanded that he stop insulting their sailors. But the expression is valid and even these many thousands of miles away, the message bears repeating.

This is not to say that the government should lock its chequebook away. There are ongoing expenses that cannot be avoided. There are needs that any government faced with the possibility of not being returned to office will want to ensure are met as part of its legacy.

Financial responsibility at this juncture is paramount and no sitting government should relinquish that responsibility, whether in spending or in recklessly giving in to untenable and threatening union demands that could further taint an already fragile business environment, especially as it impacts the willingness of local businesspersons to remain vested in the system.

That is not to say that unions should be ignored or that illegal practices should be overlooked, but a government must be careful in taking sides when the law is obeyed simply to gain votes among workers. In the same way, it must demonstrate fiscal responsibility.

What is in the national interest that will have long-lasting results. What is the national wish list that can spawn a legacy?

The first is freedom from fear of crime. The magic about that is it can be a money-maker instead of a money drain. Planting cameras in critical areas, e-mailing tickets for infractions, collecting fines within 72 hours or fines increase, letting the public know you are serious about the small stuff will send a message right to the big guns. One step out of line and there’s a fine waiting. One sight of a gang meeting and everyone is scattered, carefully and with police body cameras.

Pass two important pieces of legislation: one creating an independent Attorney General, the other a strong Freedom of Information Act. In the judiciacy, slash the backlog of outstanding court cases using negotiation for misdemeanours and arbitration for civil matters. Police should not have to go to court over every minor matter, wasting their time and the courts. Eliminate many misdemeanours that only leave some young person with a record.

In education, require parental involvement in every child’s education. Plant vegetable gardens and fruit trees in every public school and park to reduce the 98 per cent dependency on imports and build a sense of community at the same time. Leave the country a better place, too, by buying back beaches, especially in New Providence and on Paradise Island. The people need a place to play, to think, to just be. Incentivise green energy and renewables. Incentivise collections - past due or early payment of property tax. Decentralise. Nassau must be the first real city operated like a city. Parting with a little bit of authority is a lot wiser than parting with office.

By looking for new and creative ways to run for office, you will find innovative ways to run a government. The people may just buy what you are selling instead of purchasing - strong legislation, crackdown on crime, building a city, leading parent-involved schools, tightening the belt except in land acquisition for Bahamians for generations to come.

This is not the time to spend foolishly but to think and plan wisely.