The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune,

Countless Bahamians are being and have been left behind due to societal and economic discrimination, across the political divide and economic diaspora. It would seem that the traditional rich are getting richer and the ever with us poor are getting poorer. Most of you people accept the status quo as it is and as it has been for generations. You have been indoctrinated into the bogus and false narrative that the politicians; the clergy and the so-called lawyers are gifted with the solutions which stare you all in your eyes every day.

The so-called justice system is not in favour of the small man who is unable to afford legal counsel. Most petty thieves go straight to jail. White collar criminals, especially lawyers; doctors and accounts never seem to ever go to justice and to jail, where warranted. Stealing a can of corned beef or tuna could net you six months or more in jail. Carry off a few hundreds of thousand of dollars and you may receive a slap on the wrist, if at all.

Social justice, I submit, is a myth in The Bahamas. The majority of our people are actors on a large stage. Most could not or would not even want to call a spade a spade once we are being greased, by any means necessary. Poor people are destined, under the socialistic system, to remain poor for ever,under almost any administration. There should be no Ministry of Social Services. There should be a Ministry of Financial Empowerment. Inculcating people to become wards of the state is not the way forward, I submit.

The justice system is literally contributing to the deaths of scores of Bahamians who are not being properly processed through the court and judicial processes. Under some dubious provisions accused persons of serious allegations, inclusive of murder, are released on bail. This is an indictment of potential retaliation and possibly revenge killing. Ankle bracelets and other methods have proven futile, so far. The system, obviously, has failed.

We also appear to have a serious mental health problem within our midst, especially here in New Providence; Grand Bahama and Eleuthera. I am not suggesting that some of you all may have gone crazy as a direct result of Dorian or the pandemic but the facts on the ground speaks for themselves. Take a casual glance. Many have lost homes; vehicles and other material possessions. They have, in fact, lost their bearings and sense of normalcy. No, not crazy, but not far from it. We have to do better. The climate is critical, but what about the mentally and financially challenged unwashed masses?

ORTLAND H Bodie, Jr.

Nassau,

October 30, 2022.