Two weeks ago, in part one of this series, we observed that, in the first half of its tenure, few objective observers would agree that the government has done a remarkably impressive job. We also observed that many persons believe that there is a general malaise that Bahamians are now experiencing at the midterm of the PLP government, with some expressing disappointment, dissatisfaction, disillusionment and even disgust with the present government.
In the first installment of this series, we discussed in detail the "landslide" illusion of the general elections of 2012 which saw the PLP winning less than 50 percent of the popular vote; some of the high expectations and poor performance of the government to date in several areas; unfulfilled promises by some members of Parliament and ministers that they will get back to their constituents on matters of importance to the latter; the poorly executed decisions and processes, including the web shop referendum; the feeblyframed debate surrounding the introduction of valueadded tax; the unnecessarily contentious debate regarding the constitutional referendum; and the government's welcoming approach to foreign investors as opposed to the red-tape approach given to Bahamian entrepreneurs.
This week, we will continue to Consider this... On the heels of what has been described as an electoral landslide, why are so many Bahamians expressing hate in their eyes and hurt in their hearts for the government's performance to date?
The disconnected class Hate in the eyes is visibly manifested by the "disconnected class" of Bahamians we are developing. As a result of our societal dysfunction as well as the abuse and decay in some of our institutions, we are developing a class of Bahamians who feel disconnected from the mainstream of social and economic participation.
For various reasons, many Bahamians increasingly feel that they do not fit into the society that we are attempting to build. Ironically, and frighteningly, this disconnected class includes both the dispossessed and the intelligentsia. On the one hand, the dispossessed are manifesting their disconnection from society by the proliferation of gangs and their participation in them because they feel that they are being excluded from mainstream society.
In addition, Bahamians who are recent recipients of college credentials and who have obtained work experience abroad, believe that they are disconnected from their homeland because of a sense that there is little reason to return home. Meaningful job opportunities and careers are non-existent or are not adequately increasing. Those that are available take a long time to secure and often do not pay comparable salaries and benefits as the jurisdictions where they have studied and worked.More importantly, in those other places, they can experience a greater sense of upward mobility based on merit as opposed to who you know or, better yet, who knows you.
Love for foreign consultants Professionals in many quadrants of our archipelago increasingly disdain this government's love affair with foreign consultants. There is utter contempt among many professionals for the consultants who are advising the government on the privatization of BEC, the same consultants who advised the Ingraham administration on a misguided and ill-fated BTC privatization that landed us with worse telephone service from the foreign owner, Cable & Wireless, that has ever been experienced from the Bahamian-owned and managed BaTelCo.These are the same consultants who were castigated by the then PLP opposition for the advice they provided to the FNM government, only to once again be rewarded with another multi-million dollar contract to advise the PLP government on the privatization of BEC.
To add insult to injury, foreign consultants were "imported"from Belize to advise us on the implementation of National Health Insurance. Most Bahamians are left to wonder what exceptional expertise these consultants from Belize have that Bahamians do not possess that has resulted in the government abandoning Bahamian consultants in this historically important exercise.
Bahamians are equally incensed and perplexed that the government sought the advice of foreign consultants from South Africa on gaming and the New Zealanders who confirmed exactly what Bahamians professionals were advising all along about the introduction of value-added tax.
No one would deny that sometimes there is a need to engage foreign consultants, but, when the PLP campaigned on "putting Bahamians first", is there any wonder why so many professionals have lost faith in this administration that has repeatedly sought to put foreign consultants ahead of Bahamians?
The Tower of Babel syndrome
Almost weekly, it appears that many members of Parliament and Cabinet ministers are compelled to speak in his or her own tongue, without reference to the message that the team is attempting to disseminate, at times even at odds with or in contradiction to the agreed script. Like the Tower of Babel, this leads to confused, mixed messages for our citizens. Building of an entitlement society
Many Bahamians are becoming increasingly infuriated as they observe the entitled few extraordinarily benefiting from their connections in high places. This double standard has resulted in an innate disillusionment in the society, its institutions and authority, which is already manifesting itself by an increase in crime.
Not too late to turn it around. Although the PLP's performance in government in its first two and one-half years leaves much to be desired, it is not too late to turn things around. But there must be a serious commitment to do so.
If Prime Minister Christie is truly going to be a bridge to the future, he must lay out a more clearly defined path to that future. That path must be unambiguously articulated with a few finite goals that can and will be achieved in the next two-and-a-half years.He must keenly focus on and deliberately decide to promote an economy that will equally embrace Bahamian entrepreneurial enterprises as well as foreign direct investment. He must educate the Bahamian public on the rightness of his cause regarding the constitutional referendum on equal rights for women.
He must reduce youthful unemployment. He must reverse the inertia that has created the malaise that has retarded the meaningful progress and development of Grand Bahama. Most importantly, he must get a handle on crime, and the fear of crime, in our community. And, it is vitally important to have his ministers speak with a united voice on the government's agenda.While we do not fully agree with his tactics, more Bahamians are coming to appreciate the traction that Dr. Andre Rollins is gaining in the body politic. Here is a bright young man, full of ideas and a vision for The Bahamas, but seemingly so frustrated by his own political party that he is compelled to vociferously voice that frustrations in the public square.
The PLP must realize that we are now living in new political milieu in The Bahamas and that neither party supporters nor the electorate are willing to simply embrace the party line or cow-tow to political leaders in blind faith, without such leaders articulating rational and reasoned explanations for their actions and policies.
Finally, Bahamians who are experiencing hate in their eyes and hurt in their hearts will increasingly demand of their leaders that, unless they are faithful to the people who entrusted them to steer us in the right direction, at the next election they will be sent packing. Conclusion
During the parliamentary recess, the government would be well-advised to use this time to reformulate, redefine and refine its agenda for the next two and one-half years, reframe its message and seize the time that remains to redirect its steps in order to reduce the dissatisfaction that has inundated our community during the past 30 months. Failure to do so will result in more Bahamians developing a more deeply entrenched hate in their eyes and hurt in their hearts which, if not reversed, will result in the PLP repeating its experience as a one-term government, which many believe cannot be in the best interests of the development of our nation.
o Philip C. Galanis is the managing partner of HLB Galanis and Co., Chartered Accountants, Forensic & Litigation Support Services. He served 15 years in Parliament. Please send your comments to pgalanis@gmail.com.

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