Bahamians should be careful entertaining a message of doom and gloom from the opposition!
Dear Editor,
Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis is entitled to his opinion and is free to spin things in his best political interest. However, the reality is that the Bahamian economy went through a bad patch and appears to be turning around for the better. One does not see empty shelves in the supermarkets, skyrocketing gas prices, gasoline shortages, other fuel shortages, devalued dollar, high inflation, bank failures, 1950s cars on the street, etc.
The Christie administration must be given credit for “keeping the shop open for business” as it were, when one considers what his team met in place just under 3 years ago. In his mid-year budget presentation, the PM clearly enumerated a strategy forward and has been very specific with respect to development projects that he believes will be very impactful, particularly in the area of job creation.
One key labor statistic that I believe is most worthy of note, is the number of previously discouraged workers who have now joined the hunt for jobs. People who previously were discouraged, under Christie’s watch, are now hopeful. This is significant and in many ways speak volumes about the kind of people we ought to be: never mind our circumstance at any point and time, there is redemptive power in always remaining hopeful. Let others speak of doom and gloom, but not you!
While the middle class was literally decimated under Dr Minnis’s party’s watch, especially between 2007 and 2012, and the present poverty level is certainly instructive as to how much work is yet to be done to alleviate same, the doom and gloom picture painted by the Opposition is a far cry from reality. Folks are spending money on concerts, driving the latest model cars, trucks and SUVs. Carrying two cell phones and traveling to Miami to shop. Where is the mayhem and suffering?
Sincerely
Jerry Roker
