Dear Editor, 
The Bahamas is at a crossroads.  We have the stark choices of going forward collectively as a nation which is prepared to accept responsibility for our own actions, or we can continue to drift towards an uncertain direction because of lack of vision and no plans for the nation to prosper and grow.  Yes my fellow Bahamians, the choices are stark.  But, with all charity, it is within us to 'do the right thing'.
We have to grapple with several serious societal-cultural 'problems' immediately rather than later.  For instance, we have to decide how best, if at all possible, to assimilate the so called Haitian-Bahamian into our society.  While we assume that they may wish to be integrated, the question is whether or not they, in fact, wish to be so integrated.  It would seem as if we are bending over backwards to accommodate them when they wish merely to live in our midst and enjoy the fruits of our land.
Culturally our national institutions, such as schools and health care providers, are swamped with all sorts of foreign nationals and no one is checking.  The minister of education admitted that at least one of our primary schools here in New Providence is 80 percent populated by children of Haitians, who are barely able to speak, much less communicate in English.
Now the minister of housing and his clueless parliamentary secretary say that 'squatters' will be given first choice to land which should be reserved for indigenous Bahamians.  The prime minister, allegedly, is on yet another boat cruise while the nation is going straight to hell.  The official opposition is in a time warp and in denial while we the people are leaderless and rudderless.
Common Cause is of the view that we must get rid of all of the current crop of politicians and their baggage handlers.  It is obvious that they have no real and sincere agenda for the country.  It is our sacred duty as Bahamians to take back the responsibility of running our nation and to exercise self-discipline.  The FNM and the PLP are totally bankrupt of sensible and viable solutions to the most simple problems that confront our beloved nation.
Taking back responsibility must include arresting: the alarming escalation in teenage pregnancies; the revolving door of criminals going into and coming out of jail; smooth talking politicians; unemployment and under-employment; the lack of economic empowerment; no national youth and job training scheme; and, for sure, the abandonment of religious and spiritual grounding in our homes, churches and schools.
Common Cause challenges all Bahamians to rise to the occasion.  We can and must no longer depend on external forces to do for us what we should be doing for ourselves.  Now is the time to seize the historical moment as we approach the inevitable crossroads of time.
Common Cause will no longer take a passive stance and align itself with bogus politicians; tin gods and iron men/women whose only agenda is to be returned to or to be elected to high office and to hell with the masses of ordinary Bahamians.  Cliches, loose talk and patently bogus electoral manifestoes will not cut it this time around.
Some say that the embryonic Democratic National Alliance (DNA) may have the answers, but where is the detailed agenda?  Where is the 'flesh' on the skeleton of wishful thinking?  Show me the money has long been ingrained in Bahamian politics and nothing, I submit to you, has changed over these many long years.
Common Cause advocates that now is the time for the nation to seize new ideas, ideals and vision, wherever they may come from.  It is the will of Jehovah that this nation should prosper and, indeed, he has said plainly that: 'I have a plan for you to prosper...' (Jeremiah 29:11).  To God then, in all of these things, be the glory.
 
Yours, etc.,
ORTLAND H. BODIE JR.

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