Hear No Evil

In a nice post over at politics.bm, Christian Dunleavy accuses the Government of being inconsistent in its attitude to public debate by shying away from a debate on gambling (because it doesn’t believe the public wants it) whilst readying itself for a prolonged discussion on the merits of independence (about which the public seem equally indifferent). I, however, think the Government is being very consistent. It’s not interested in listening to what Bermudians have to say about anything.

Take gambling. Despite PLP MP Scott Simmons promising a public debate once the gaming machine ban had gone into effect, now Attorney General Larry Mussenden says this isn’t going to happen (and claims not to see any contradiction). A casino is out of the question, as are any other new forms of gambling. End of conversation.

In the taxi dispute, the Government yesterday said it has no interest in meeting to discuss a compromise. There’s no need for debate about the problems facing the industry or the best way to solve them. GPS is the answer. Period.

Independence is no different. The Government called for a national debate four months ago, but has done nothing to initiate that debate. Why? It’s too busy honing its arguments in favour. It couldn’t care less what Bermudians really think. As with GPS and the gaming machines, no impartial, in-depth research will be commissioned. The Government already has its solution and intends to implement it regardless of public opinion.

The PLP seems to believe that having been elected into office, they now have the right to do as they please. That’s why the people put them there, right? While this logic is true up to a point, the assumption implicit in the democratic system is that the people know what they’re letting themselves in for. As none of the Government’s current policies were outlined in a manifesto before the last election, there’s an even greater obligation on the PLP to now solicit public support.

There's a fine line between leadership and arrogance. The Government seem to have no idea where it is.

Comments

[Tiger Bay on 02.07.04 at 08:40]

In addition to the issues you outlined, I would add the dramatic increase in Bermuda's debt, the gerrymandering of electoral map, the recent increases in taxes, as well as the promise of even larger tax increases in future years simply because they think that taxes should be a greater proportion of the GDP.

As a Bermudian, it makes me very angry that the quality of our country's governance is sliding so quickly. The PLP are not adding to the representation of the people in any way - they are pursuing their own pet projects and personal enrichment in an unplanned, wasteful, and arrogant way.

[Tiger Bay on 02.07.04 at 16:24]

The PLP have been lining up for this independence blitz for a long time. Don't forget the changes made to THE POLITICAL BROADCASTING AMENDMENT DIRECTIONS last year which expand what is "government business" as opposed to "political commentary".

The changes expand allowable content to include that which "is concerned with any policy of the Government" or "of an informative nature."

And here's the kicker:

"the cost of and incidental to the preparation and airing of the broadcast must be paid for out of the Consolidated Fund".

I wish our lawyers were no so busy getting rich on international business, and spent more time looking at the manipulation of local regulations!