The public candidate financial disclosures are always a major point of discussion before elections. We are all curious about the financial well-being, or lack thereof, of the people who seek to lead us.
Last week, we published 32-pages of those public disclosures and there are 56 millionaires running to be members of the next Parliament. This was close to half of the 133 people seeking a spot in the House of Assembly.
These millionaires are members of the Free National Movement (FNM), the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and some are independents.
Minister of Health and Killarney MP Dr. Hubert Minnis (FNM) disclosed a net worth of $10.9 million. Bain and Grants Town MP Dr. Bernard Nottage (PLP) declared a net worth of $8.18 million. Others such as PLP businessman Gary Sawyer ($7.8 million), South Abaco candidate, and FNM accountant Hubert Chipman ($6.85 million), St. Anne's candidate, are also in the millionaires club.
Some are troubled when these disclosures are released and the vast wealth of politicians and would-be politicians is disclosed. Their concern is that so many wealthy people are seeking political power. This mindset, however, is misguided.
People who seek public office should have accomplishments. They should have been successful at something before offering themselves for public service. And quite simply, successful people earn more.
Those who cannot even figure out how to personally achieve financial security surely are not likely to figure out how to lead a large number of people to that destination.
We should also want candidates who after their time of service are excited about returning to private life and those things they are good at. We have said many times that politics should not be a career. It should be a sphere people enter for a time, serve and then depart in order to allow new ideas to enter the system to take the country forward.
To be clear, we are not arguing that only the rich should seek elected office. Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria can run, but sensible members of the electorate should only consider those who have some track record of accomplishment and success in some aspect of their personal lives and careers for service.
Parliament makes laws. Its members also serve as advocates for the residents of our communities. People who hold these posts should have the capacity to contribute to these activities. Those unable to sustain themselves financially do not demonstrate the capacity to deliver on these responsibilities.
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
