We were astounded yesterday by the actions of the speaker of the House of Assembly, Dr. Kendal Major. He wasted the time of the House by giving a formal report on a matter that was not worth his time.

A picture is circulating on social media of Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner and East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest, both members of the opposition Free National Movement (FNM), sleeping while seated in the House. It is unclear when the picture was taken. But it is obvious it was taken from the governing side. Montagu MP (FNM) Richard Lightbourn raised the issue in a previous sitting of the House. Images of MPs are supposed to focus on them while they are standing, according to House rules.

The photo is embarrassing. But Major, as he often does with his parliamentary rulings, missed the point. Members of Parliament, all legislators, should not be sleeping in the debating chamber. This is the place where laws are made.

Parliament has the power to pass laws that deprive people of their liberty. Parliament has the power to pass laws that lead to the legal taking of life. Members should come into the chamber alert and filled with the seriousness of the powers of the place.

We pay our elected officials to work on our behalf. It is not acceptable to come to work and fall asleep. In many businesses, an employee would be fired for sleeping on the job.

Major used his time at the beginning of yesterday's session to chide members for violating the trust of their colleagues by taking the pictures and forwarding them to others, leading them to be posted on social media. He should have used his time to condemn members for sleeping in Parliament.

Butler-Turner and Turnquest are not the worst offenders when it comes to sleeping in public. Prime Minister Perry Christie has the biggest problem with this. There are numerous pictures of him on social media asleep at public events.

Christie does not take vacations. He's 72. He goes to too many church services and unnecessary speaking events where another more junior member of government could easily take his place. He would do better to get some rest rather than trying to be everywhere to make everyone happy.

It is bizarre that our public officials think it acceptable to fall asleep in public. You don't see Barack Obama, the president of the United States, doing this. You don't see David Cameron, the British prime minister, doing this.

Sleeping at public events is disrespectful to the people in attendance. It gives the impression that the sleeping public official is uninterested in what is taking place, or that he or she is physically unable to keep up with the job of leading.

Our MPs, senators and ministers need to end this sloppy practice. Rest at home. Schedule a midday nap.

If this is not enough for you, and if the rigors of daily hard work are too taxing, then you should retire. You are doing the people's business. Stay alert. Stay focused. Stay awake.

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