Dear Editor,

Who or what decides what is public policy in The Bahamas? Is it the government of the day or is it the societal and economic stakeholders, or a combination of all three? The conceptual explanation has always been fraught with misinterpretation and gross error. While many would agree that it is the administration in place that drives public policy because of its majority in Parliament, some would opine that the politicians are obliged to consult with non-parliamentary individuals and organizations. The former FNM administration, led by Hubert A. Ingraham, was not known to consult with many and certainly it did not appear to heed any advice when it would have been given.

The failed referendum questions, which were put to the electorate before the 2002 general election, were a clear case of this. While the constitutional changes were proposed, debated and accepted by a majority of members of Parliament, the educational process for the public at large was flawed. In addition, the policy which was being advocated by the FNM did not sit well with the majority of Bahamians, especially the female component surprisingly. The FNM was subsequently voted out of office. Ingraham took a back seat and Tommy Turnquest became the de facto, but not de jure, leader of the opposition.

Public policy includes the issues of education, healthcare, crime and punishment, the limits of the powers of the prime minister and members of Parliament, the civil service and how our political system functions. This list, of course, is not meant to be exhaustive but a mere sampling of some of the more controversial public policy questions. The question, however, is just how does the conceptualization and implementation of public policy impact our social health and the economic growth, or otherwise of the national economy? Healthcare, for instance, is a hot-button topic and was a major plank in the platform of the PLP leading up to the general election of May 7, 2012.

Not a single word has been said about this by the current Minister of Health Perry Gomez (PLP-North Andros) since then, except for a few garbled words on the floor of the House. Healthcare and related expenses are a serious concern to the average Bahamian. The well being of the citizens of any nation, inclusive of The Bahamas, is critical to individual health and national productivity. Yet, there is no universal healthcare plan, even in the most elementary form, in place or being proposed by any of the major political parties. Some say that it would be too expensive. I don't buy into that patently bogus suggestion.

If, as some claim, there are 140,000 working Bahamians, why can't each one contribute $50 per month into a basic healthcare plan? That would translate into some $84 million per year. Miniscule, perhaps, but what do we have in place now? That sort of money could fund a basic healthcare system and contributions should be voluntary. If a worker wants to opt out of the same, he or she should have that choice but would be required to pay a minimum sliding scale for healthcare services at our public institutions. Our educational plan is badly broken and is in need of urgent repair if we are to advance as a nation. If there is some sort of public policy relative to education and training it is one of the best kept secrets in the country.

The last time one was enunciated was back in the days of the late Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield. The late Paul Lawrence Adderley did try to bring a new one into being, but all that resulted was the now fabled Adderley's Law, which ushered in the now national grade D, with all due respect. The elephant-sized question as it relates to public policy is what is going to be done to regulate and tax the web shops and so-called numbers houses? The gold rush administration, led by a prime minister who has repeatedly stated that in many instances he knows nothing about certain matters at hand, badly drafted the questions which were submitted to the electorate in a non-binding opinion poll this past January.

The PM played cute when he blandly stated that he had no horse in the race; when he was well aware that there were multiple horses. Had the PLP actively campaigned in support of the same, the poll would have passed massively. To add insult to injury, the PLP administration was in active consultation and negotiation with the casino operators to authorize online gaming while it bamboozled the people of The Bahamas. Consultants came in from South Africa and the United States. We, the people, never saw their recommendations and we do not know how much they were paid and by whom.

This is not an exercise in public policy but would appear to look like public deception of the highest order. The National Institute for Public Policy will launch a campaign to ensure that on matters of national importance that governments consult the public in a more transparent manner. Certainly, there must be public discussions and forums. Until then, in all things, to God be the glory.

- Ortland H. Bodie Jr.

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