Should homosexuals influence Caribbean society on the right to sex more than the Caribbean church Part-1

Should homosexuals influence Caribbean society more than the church community? Part 1

By Dr Lazarus Castang:


Some commentaries on Caribbean News Now have consistently engaged in a common logical leap from universal human rights to men having sex with men. Homosex is often more implicitly than explicitly subsumed under the canopy of universal human rights. The need for sex or sexual satisfaction is universal, human, and a natural right. So, if this is the case, then no government, society, religion, culture, law, or morality should stigmatise or discriminate against adult males having private, consensual sex if it does not harm anyone. So the argument goes, but is the case really as simple and straightforward as this?

Caribbean society includes the homosexual community as well as the church community. From an objective, noncommittal perspective, for homosexuals to influence Caribbean society on the right to sex more than the Caribbean church or vice-versa constitutes an obvious bias in either direction. To try to divide and conquer by insisting that the church have sex however they want, and homosexuals have sex however they please, solves the problem on the individual level, but not on the collective/societal level.

Some active homosexuals want to be welcomed and affirmed in and by the church, and be celebrated when they come out in society. Some want to be married and hold position in church. Furthermore, they oppose any moral or legal discrimination against their homosexual behaviour by society or the church. In some countries they have or seek laws that criminalise public and Christian moral opposition to homosex, while they decriminalise homosex. They want homosexual behaviour to be upheld in school curriculum as a normal variant of human sexuality and insist on legislation to protect their right to homosex that is assumed to be universal and right.

Homosexuals have private homosex, but seek public recognition and acceptance of their relationships through several avenues like public parades and protests. Privacy is not what they seek, since they have it already. Publicity of their “privacy” that can psychosocially normalize homosex and break down public resistance is the goal. Homosexuals are trying to influence societal norms just like the church. So, to talk of the church as a homophobic or bigoted obstacle to sexual freedom is to try to exclude and mute the influence of the church as an important public moral voice in Caribbean society.

Furthermore, the concept of universal human rights, as some have related it to homosex, does not address how to resolve public conflict of rights in society and in what way homosex is universal and right. In any public conflict of rights, say right to conscience versus sexual orientation right, one right will be made fundamental and the other less than fundamental. Merely using accusatory terms like “disadvantaged groups,” “abuse of minority,” “exclusionary approach” and “tyranny” in context of homosexual cause and the Caribbean church and society only fly on broken wings of emotionalism and appeals to sympathy without good reason.

In certain parts of the US and Canada, opponents of homosex have been fined or imprisoned for publicly opposing homosex, but homosexuals are not fined or imprisoned for publicly berating the church. They call the church bigoted for disapproving and not accommodating homosex, while they reverse bigotry by disapproving and not accommodating opposition to homosex.

In the Caribbean, homosexuals have been physically threatened, or attacked, or killed because of their orientation and behavioural expression or public display or promotion of it. The church community, however, disapproves of both homosex and violence against homosexuals. But it is argued by some gay rights activists that opposition to homosex is a source of social homophobia. The case for such argument has not been made and even if it were true, then, attackers can also use any other reason to attack homosexuals, such as the way they walk, talk, dress, the places they go, or the company they keep, or coming out. With such questionable or farfetched reasoning not only opposition to homosex needs changing. The way some homosexuals walk, talk, dress, the places they go, or the company they keep, or coming out, all these would be sources of homophobia to be changed.

So, should homosexuals influence Caribbean society on the right to sex more than the Caribbean church? After all, homosexuals’ bodies, butts, behaviours, brains, buggery, and bugs are theirs, not the church’s, even though some of them may belong to a church. The church should not talk for or over homosexuals, and homosexuals cannot control the church. Therefore, should homosexuals influence Caribbean society on the right to sex more than the Caribbean church?

If homosex is exclusively a private matter, should it be publicly promoted in any form or fashion, or legally protected, or religiously accepted? Does the church have a right to tell homosexuals not to have homosex? Are laws or sermons against homosex codes for or reinforcements of violent attacks against homosexuals in the Caribbean? As analogies, do laws against incest, pedophilia, bestiality, polygamy, and drug trafficking mean attack the violators?

There is no link between believing homosex is wrong and acting to wrong homosexuals physically. Physical attackers of homosexuals can use any reason in an effort to justify their nefarious acts, while accusers of the church bypass them to wrongly assign blame to the church. There are unbalanced and uncompassionate people in the church community as well as the homosexual community. So, should homosexuals influence Caribbean society on the right to sex, if there is a right to sex, more than the Caribbean church?

If there is a right to sexual satisfaction, how far do we extend this right to sex and on what basis? A non-discriminatory claim for the recognition of a variety of sexual orientations would have to include orientations toward multiple sex partners (polysexuality), children (pedophilia), blood relatives (incest), animals (bestiality), sadomasochism, voyeurism, necrophilia and so on. Sexual libertinism would be the order of the day in the name of freedom, social inclusion, tolerance, equality and acceptance.

The separation of church and state does not eliminate the influence of the church on the society or the society on the church. The Caribbean church exists under the jurisdiction of the Caribbean state and in society. Religious and secular people, gay or straight, influence state decisions as members of political parties, government agencies, business enterprises and media corporations and as individual citizens. Efforts to remove church or homosexual influence from the Caribbean state/society are virtually impractical at the corporate level and the individual level. Therefore, one cannot legitimately talk of freedom and at the same time seek to totally erode dialogue, rivalry of influence, and jostling for legal advantage between the church and the homosexual community on the question of the right to sexual satisfaction in the Caribbean.

In a society with a multiplicity of sexual orientations, sexual laws cannot forbid any behavioural expression of sexual orientation and be non-discriminatory at the same time. However, Caribbean diverse society must draw the line somewhere, even when the line may only be drawn in the sand of social shifts and turns. Again, should homosexuals influence Caribbean society on the right to sex more than the Caribbean church?

September 09, 2014

Caribbeannewsnow

- Should homosexuals influence Caribbean society on the right to sex more than the Caribbean church Part-2 
 

Geothermal energy in the Caribbean: Energy security or political play?

By Rebecca Theodore:


At a time when the world is experiencing an energy crisis, the process of rising heat from the earth as a stimulant to economic growth becomes very beneficial to many Caribbean nations. However, while many contemplate that geothermal energy is an ambitious opportunity to utilize wealth and recognition among member states and international markets, the financial challenges associated with it are many and varied, and now beckons the need for international ‘tenders’ to promote the sound development of the project.

Whereas detractors continue to charge that the harnessing of geothermal energy in the Caribbean could have a negative impact on the carbon footprint through deforestation, the release of hydrogen sulfide and the disposal of toxic geothermal fluids into the atmosphere; evidence also point to the fact that geothermal is the best type of renewable energy in terms of cost, efficiency, and safety.

Scientific evidence further illustrate that geothermal energy is a major factor in combating the adverse effects of climate change in the Caribbean. Geothermal energy doesn’t produce any type of greenhouse effect, and does not consume any energy since it’s renewable energy and there is no consumption of any type of fossil fuels.

In all truism, geothermal energy in the Caribbean have the prospective to address economic development, climate change mitigation, and stipulation of affordable energy and should be listed on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) as an alternative to poverty reduction and to energy security.

Yet, unethical clouds smudge the dust for action and solutions.

So what if anything should Caribbean government’s make of the financial challenges facing geothermal energy? For one, Caribbean islands are now locked in long term contracts that have no incentive for power producers to develop more economic methods in order to maximize benefits.

Market research reports that “electrical supply across much of the Caribbean is generated by expensive and polluting oil- or diesel-fired generators and millions of dollars are spent on fossil fuel imports.”

Economic analysts further state that “it is the high cost of energy that presently paints the un-competitive business portrait for the Caribbean on the international market. Dependency on imports of foreign fossil fuel affect the balance of payment and contribute toward micro and macroeconomic challenges, such as inflation, increased cost (and loss of competitiveness) of local industry, depreciation pressures, and further external indebtedness.”

In essence, “the future of geothermal energy in the Caribbean “is very bright,” but Caribbean governments cannot undertake the project solely admits Sturla Birkisson, senior vice president at Iceland Drilling Company. In this light, government money and international funds are needed to mitigate the financial risk and cover the initial costs in the form of soft loans in case exploratory projects prove unsuccessful.”

Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) of the World Bank published report further states that “the main challenges associated with the development of geothermal energy generation in the Caribbean includes the financial resources needed to confirm the resource potential of specific sites, financing of exploration, production and injection wells, and power plant development. The legal and regulatory framework, the lack of a comprehensive inventory of geothermal resources with high quality data, environmental and social impacts, and power sector planning are also other adversary factors.”

As a result, if financial measures are to be met in the cultivation of geothermal energy, then Caribbean governments will “need to develop resources themselves, or negotiate a fair price with a responsible developer that puts some value to the community and supports the growth of it and stimulates its development.”

Given these circumstances, the most dramatic illustration of the financial challenges of geothermal energy now shines light on the Caribbean island of Dominica. With the highest percentage of renewable energy in its energy mix among Caribbean nations, it would take an exceptional scale of energy tone deafness not to mention the Skerrit administration energy policies.

Even for a government that now boast that it has spent more than $US12 million in developing the geothermal industry on the island, and has sought the advice of the Clinton Climate Initiative, and presented the project as one of its theme at the sixty-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly; it still fails to show the political will and leadership to enlarge and diversify the ‘portfolio of options’ that geothermal energy entails.

Subsequently, the project lies crippled in cronyism and unprofessional conduct.

Perhaps proponents may want to evidence leaked diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks that allege the United States embassy in Barbados is unfavorable to the government of Dominica’s plan on moving forward in developing the island’s geothermal potential, but if as the Dominica prime minister asserts that “one of the weaknesses of Renewable Energy (RE) initiatives and Efficient Energy initiatives (EE) in the Caribbean is the lack of projects to demonstrate the benefits,” then, the harnessing of geothermal energy cannot continue to be cloaked in secrecy and locked in a partisan political play.

In order to maximize the benefits of geothermal energy in the Caribbean, it is clear, that bi-partisan efforts and inputs from environmentalists and consultants are needed to help government negotiate a fair price with international developers.

Progressively, the long-term needs of energy security in the region is now of high importance and at this point, Caribbean governments should seek to develop an “integrated project management solution” and a systematic review and re-examination of geothermal resources for energy production. It would not only help in meeting the ongoing energy crisis in the world at large and boost the national security of many Caribbean nations, but it will also become a valuable alternative energy source for future generations.

Thus, it is now evident that the answer to wealth and recognition for many Caribbean nations lie beneath.

September 04, 2014

Caribbean News Now 

Wetlands cover nine percent of Cuba

By Granma Internacional:

Wetlands in Cuba cover an area of approximately 10,410 square kilometers, equal to 9.3% of the islands total surface and include swampy areas along the coastline and in the interior. 

These ecosystems are known for their fragility and vulnerability, although they provide ecological and economic benefits, among them habitat protection and the reduction of costal erosion.

They also play a vital part in the capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, purification of effluents, limiting the impact of extreme weather on infrastructure and supplying water for consumption and economic activities.

Furthermore, they contribute to replenishing subterranean water supplies and collecting rain in urban and rural zones; in addition to controlling floods and stabilizing the coastline; as well as forming barriers between land and sea phenomenon.

Ciénaga de Zapata is home to crocodiles and numerous species of Cuban flora and fauna.

According to information from the Environment Agency on the entity’s website, Cuban wetlands are an inseparable part of the country’s biological wealth and diversity, adding that they include vast landscapes featuring estuaries, open coasts, marshes, floodplains, scrublands and forests, lakes, canals and rivers.

Artificially created wetlands can function in either a positive or negative way, in accordance with the nature of the biological assets affected. 

Among the most prominent in Cuba are the Ciénaga de Zapata, Birama (including the River Cauto delta), Lanier, Cunagua, Pinar del Río’s southeastern lakeside system and the Colorados islets; Sabana Camagüey; Jardines de la Reina; and the Canarreos.

The wetlands of Ciénaga de Zapata, in Matanzas, are the largest and most exceptional in Cuba and the Caribbean, meriting their inclusion in the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially noted on the Waterfowl Habitat List.

Ramsar is the name of the city in Iran where this Convention was signed on February 2, 1971. Provisions went into effect December 21, 1975. (AIN)

September 01, 2014

Granma.cu 

What we don't know about marijuana

By DR BASIL SIMMS

SINCE Jamaica became an independent nation and a signatory of the International Convention of the United Nations (UN) against the planting, possession and illicit use of marijuana, Jamaica has saved over a trillion dollars in health care, especially in the maintenance of the sanity of its citizens, by continuing with the criminalisation of the planting, possession and illicit use of marijuana as a narcotic substance.

The marijuana plant is of Asian origin. It was first observed to be grown on the banks of the River Ganges in India. This is how the name 'ganja' originated, but the plant is officially named in India as the 'Indian Hemp'.

The plant has distinct male and female species, whereby the male plant does not flower and therefore does not bear seeds and is not referred to as marijuana, as the leaves are not as potent with the concentrated chemical substances as the leaves of the female plant.

The female plant, with the intoxicating psychoactive properties of high euphoric effect, flowers and bears seeds, and its leaves, flowers and seeds are what really caused the plant to be referred to as the marijuana plant. Therefore, the female plant with the psychoactive properties is scientifically referred to as a Pistil-ate plant with Cannabis Sativa.

Pistil is the female reproductive organ of a flower and cannabis is the dried flowering spikes and/or fruit-in-tops of the female plant.

In India, apart from the complex chemical composition and psychoactive properties of the leaves, fruit-in-top and/or flower of high euphoric effect of the female plant -- that is dangerous and/or poisonous to the human brain and entire nervous system of the body -- the plant, both male and female, is generally noted for the tough fibre of its bark and with the required licence, it is used for the production of canvas and rope (the hemp rope) etc.

The psychoactive property with the high euphoric effect of the female plant is above the control of the metabolism of the immune system of the human body and causes the imagination of the person that drinks and/or smokes it to rise above the height of elucidation, which makes it damaging to the brain and the entire nervous system of the body.

This high euphoric effect of the psychoactive property of the leaves and flowers of the female plant is what is commonly misinterpreted and is misleading of the plant as a medicinal herb that is suitable for the human body.

Such high euphoric effect is by far higher and lasting than the euphoric effect of the psychoactive properties of the female plant and is synonymous to the pharmacodynamics of an aphrodisiac that is injected into a stallion to intensify its sex drive. It is therefore above the control of the immune system of the human body.

Based on its chemical composition, the female plant typifies the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

The male plant, carries not flower or fruit-in-tops, hence, the leaves, flower and/or fruit-in-tops of the female plant are dangerous and especially of those grown in Jamaica, which appear to be more potent that those grown in other countries.

When toxicologically observed in research in the biochemical laboratory, the chemical composition of the marijuana plant is a most complex one of many different chemical compounds. These chemical compounds are subdivided into three classes, according to the chemical scale of Acid (Ph 1-6), Neutral (Ph 7) and Alkaline (Ph 8-14). The active ingredient of these chemical compounds is a chemical compound known as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is most addictive and above the standard of control of the human brain and nervous system.

Therefore, with the euphoric effect of such psychoactive property, the internal use of marijuana is dangerous to all age groups and especially to children. The continuous use (smoking and drinking) of the narcotic substance is worse psychologically, though the person, having become addicted and to some extent, may appear and believe that he or she is fine, but with distinct appearance of symptoms and especially the uncut hair and coloured eyes that are different from the normal person. Therefore, the continuous use of marijuana is destructive to the human brain, the nervous system and the entire body.

Apart from the THC, the complex chemical composition of the marijuana plant has chemical proprieties that if successfully separated and diluted, could be of benefit to the human body orally and possibly intravenously.

However, from thorough research and based on consensus of the international convention of the UN, what is dangerous about the plant is the complexity of its chemical composition. Each compound of the composition is of minute quantity and the complexity of the composition makes it impossible to chemically separate one from the other (the poisonous from the non-poisonous) without creating a chemical or nuclear change that is worse damaging to the body.

Therefore, with the THC, it is internationally observed and remained a narcotic substance; as the use of it can only be done as a whole, which is dangerous to the human body.

Without evidential proof of the formula and authenticity of the extract(s) and identity of the specific chemical compound(s) extracted from the complex chemical composition of the plant, and evidence of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics as a medicinal product without serious harm to the human body, any signatory of the UN Convention that legalised the use of marijuana in whatever quantity is a retrograde step towards psychotic development of its citizens.

With the findings of over 70 years of established research by the UN Convention on marijuana, whosoever is proactive to the legalisation of marijuana for medicinal purposes has very little and or no knowledge and understanding of its psychoactive danger to the human brain, nervous system and entire body.

Metaphorically, such person or group of persons is intoxicated with the inordinate love for monetary gain, fame and fortune of the world, that comprised the root and or route of all evil.

It is a fact that Canosol was developed from marijuana.

I believe that if a survey is done among the ophthalmologists in Jamaica, 95 per cent of them would say that Canosol has no effect against glaucoma and 4.5 per cent would say it has very little effect.

The media are currently burdened with so many experts on marijuana who are proactive of the licensing of it, but when those who know better listen and read what they say about the plant, it is evident that they have no true knowledge of the plant and its chemical composition, except that they are under the influence of the inordinate desire for economic gain and employment, against the current global recession.

For example, President Barack Obama is able to be proactive in such retrograde step, because, apart from the fact that he is ignorant of the complex chemical composition of the plant and its danger to the human body, he is in his second and final term as President of the USA and quite likely to him, he has nothing to lose with the world in mind and no emphasis on his soul. Also, as president of the USA, he is also proactive of unisex marriage, against the will of God. What grave mistake for a young man with such great potential and who is greatly loved! Can a man opposed and remain standing in battle against God?

To gain, and for the maintenance of power, there are times when people do silly things.

In Jamaica, to boost revenue, the authorities started to license handcarts and because a trying, poor peasant could not pay the licence for operating his handcart, they took sledge hammers and smashed his handcart in one incident. Consequently, he and his children and children's mother are placed in the position to suffer from hunger. With such a draconian and kangaroo law, what great temptation it is to cause the poor man and his children to become criminals to maintain themselves? Where is the love in action? Is it not because of class prejudice in Jamaica, that is worse than apartheid, that was practised in South Africa why they smashed the trying peasant's cart?

With the appropriate licence, the bark of the marijuana plant is used by some signatories of the UN Convention in the production of canvas and rope and other products with such material, except for medicinal purposes etc, for assimilation in the human body. Therefore, in all the signatories of the UN, including Jamaica, the cultivation, possession, trading and use; including exportation of marijuana and any byproduct (hashish) thereof are illegal, in that they are narcotic substances.

Consequently, to have criminalised tobacco smoking and legalised the smoking, etc of marijuana, and irrespective of the quantum, it is likened unto the leaders of a commune who are faced with economic problems that they cannot solve and thereupon colluded and prepared a toxic treat and premeditatedly fed it to each member of the commune as the way forward; to deceptively become insane and commit mass suicides.


Dr Basil R Simms, a biochemist and business consultant, is founder and chairman of Retsam Research and Development Ltd. He may be reached at 416-5546 or basil.simms@cwjamaica.com

August 31, 2014

Jamaica Observer

Haitian fugitives and Illegal Haitian migrants in The Bahamas

Haitian fugitives may be in Bahamas

Authorities believe escaped prisoners traveled by boat

By TRAVIS CARTWRIGHT-CARROLL
Guardian Staff Reporter
travis@nasguard.com

At least three men who escaped from a Haitian prison in a mass prison break earlier this month may have been apprehended with a group of illegal migrants who were caught in Bahamian waters, Haitian Ambassador to The Bahamas Antonio Rodrigue said yesterday.

Rodrigue said Haitian authorities contacted the Haitian Embassy in Nassau on Wednesday with the information.

“It is very concerning you know because [that] group of people who escaped from jail in Haiti, the government is trying its best to get everybody back in jail,” he said when contacted.

“I know some went to the Dominican Republic. They have been arrested there and some have been arrested in Haiti and we got the news that at least three of them could be in The Bahamas.”

He said Bahamian officials were trying to identify the men.

When contacted for comment on the Haitian fugitives yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell said he could not speak to the issue.

Immigration Director William Pratt said he could not confirm the reports.

According to the Associated Press, 329 Haitian inmates escaped a prison in Croix-des-Bouquets after gunmen attacked the facility in an effort to free a prisoner.

The gunmen were attempting to free the son of a prominent businessman being held on kidnapping charges.

Haitian police believe that some of the escapees fled the country and authorities appealed to Dominican Republic and Jamaican officials for assistance.

Rodrigue said as soon as he was informed, he contacted Bahamian authorities.

He said it is imperative that if the men are in the group, that they are identified, secured and repatriated.

When asked if he fears that more of the escaped prisoners got away in The Bahamas, he said, “We don’t know yet.

“We are pretty sure they came by boat. Unfortunately for them, that boat was

apprehended by the Defence Force.

“Apparently they can be among a group who has been apprehended in Inagua, I think.”

He said the embassy is providing Bahamian authorities with the names and information of the suspects.

On Saturday, Royal Bahamas Defence Force officers spotted a Haitian sloop off Duncan Town, Ragged Island.

Officials said 105 Haitian migrants were apprehended — 76 men and 29 women.

The migrants are currently in Inagua awaiting repatriation.

Mitchell said recently that the Carmichael Road Detention Centre was “bursting at the seams”.

Pratt previously expressed fears that some of the fugitives may be headed to The Bahamas.

For the month so far, Mitchell said 409 migrants were interdicted in Bahamian waters.

August 29, 2014

thenassauguardian

In defense of immigration

Immigration is a sign of a country's wealth, but it is also, historically and today, a spur to its wealth

The entire story of the Americas is one of migration, of ambitious individuals seeking new horizons and building vibrant communities far from their birthplaces

By Christopher Lenton

This year, tens of thousands of unaccompanied children from Central America have flooded across the Mexico border into the US seeking to take advantage of a loophole in immigration law that ensures a lengthy deportation process, and perhaps a chance at legal status.

The desperate images of children squeezed into detention centers, and the stories of parents paying exorbitant fees to mules to smuggle their left-behind kin into the country, has once again put immigration at the center of policy debate, and news headlines, in the US.

It's a shame that the face of migration is this, because the fact is, the most successful economies in the world today are immigrant economies. According to the United Nations, about 11% of the population in the "more developed nations" is foreign-born, about 10 times greater than the figure in the "less developed nations."

In the US, about 15% of the population is foreign-born (not including the estimated 11mn undocumented residents), while in places like Australia, Canada and New Zealand, the figure is over 20%.

In Latin America, Chile has seen immigration rise remarkably over the past decade. Today, there are close to half a million foreign legal residents, or about 2.7% of the population. While this figure is still comparatively small, it is a considerable jump compared to 2000, when about 1% of the population was foreign-born, and easily ranks the country among the fastest growing immigrant populations in the world.

Though Argentina has seen immigration to its shores drop since 2000, the country – despite its well-documented woes – is home to 1.9mn foreign-born residents, or about 4.5% of the total population. Ecuador too has seen immigration rise over the last decade to now account for some 2% of the population.

Hernán Felipe Errázuriz and Álvaro Bellolio, the authors of a new book called "Migraciones en Chile: Oportunidad ignorada" (Migrations in Chile: An ignored opportunity), argue that a country like Chile needs to do yet more to lure migrants.

"The migrant already has certain advantages for the simple fact that migrating is a learning experience on its own. And he arrives with knowledge, schooling and other advantages that are positive for Chile," Bellolio said in a recent interview.

Today, the airplane, internet and pacts such as the Pacific Alliance make immigration far simpler than it once was in Latin America, and yet regulation, and the attitude towards immigration – the authors argue – remain of a different era. Programs such as Start-Up Chile are an example of an effective way to lure talent from abroad, but more must be done to bring in the best and brightest, and to highlight the boons of migration, especially in light of the recent economic slowdown and an aging workforce.

Immigration is a sign of a country's wealth, but it is also, historically and today, a spur to its wealth. Indeed, the entire story of the Americas is one of migration, of ambitious individuals seeking new horizons and building vibrant communities far from their birthplaces. Immigration, then, must be celebrated, not emblemized by the sad events unfolding on the US-Mexico border.

August 26, 2014

BN Americas

Serious concerns expressed over the “rushed” passing of Value Added Tax (VAT) legislation in the Bahamian Parliament

Fnm Angry Over 'Rushed' Passing Of Vat

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net
Nassau, The Bahamas

PETER Turnquest, FNM Shadow Minister for Finance, expressed concern yesterday over the “rushed” passing of Value Added Tax legislation in Parliament on Wednesday.

Mr Turnquest said the government may have tried to distract Bahamians from VAT by sandwiching debate on the Bill between debates on the constitutional referendum and the revised Gaming Bill, which is expected to be tabled after debate on the referendum Bills have been completed.

VAT was passed in the House on Wednesday night after two days of debate. But Mr Turnquest said parliamentarians should have been given more than 30 minutes to make their contributions on the Bill.

“We are still in the middle of finishing the debate on the constitutional amendment Bills, a significant moment in our democracy and right in the middle you inject something as significant as tax reform?” Mr Turnquest told the House during the debate. “You’re bringing in this new way of taxing people despite the fact that it has not been properly explained in terms of the technical nature of how it will be applied and requirements of it as well as explaining how it will affect the day-to-day lives of people and the safeguards put in to ensure this new tax does not push people down to the poverty line?

“I don’t think they’ve done sufficient work to bring this tax in and I think they rushed this debate. They have heard from the business community, but I don’t believe those consultations have reached the point that we could say with all honesty and transparency that this is the best we have to offer.”

Mr Turnquest said Bahamians have not been properly consulted on VAT, adding that a referendum/opinion poll should have taken place before the government decided to implement the tax.

“I recommended that just like the gaming referendum, they ought to have done the same thing because this is a significant change,” he said. “I believe Bahamians ought to have a voice to decide whether this is something we want or want another alternative. I believe this process was significantly rushed.”

As far as debating important bills in a short period of time, Mr Turnquest said debate on VAT should have been given priority over debate on the constitutional referendum.

“To put constitutional Bills ahead of VAT could have been a distraction against VAT,” he said. “Even the Gaming Bill that will come up, this is all significant legislation and they’re not giving us proper time to air all our concerns. They wanted people to be confused and to take their eye off the ball and they have unfortunately been successful to some extent.”

Mr Turnquest said in order to fully flesh out their views on fiscal reform, parliamentarians should have been given an hour to make their contributions as they are during the annual budget debate.

August 22, 2014

Tribune 242