Veronica Owens' Insights
A Weekly Column by Mrs. V. Veronica Owens
Former PLP Member of Parliament (2002-2007) & the Current Chief Political Advisor, Bahamas Constitution Party
&
The Host, The new Weekly Online Broadcast 'Navigating Nationhood' on
Fridays at 12:30 pm EST (www.facebook.com/salimcintosh LIVE)
with Veronica Owens & Ali McIntosh on the book, 'How To Reconstruct a Nation'
Bahamians Deserve Better: 'It's Time to See Through the Illusion'
Published - June 8th 2025
Join the Conversation Friday June13th @ 12:30 pm on Navigating Nationhood talking the 2025-2026 Budget
Join the Conversation Friday June13th @ 12:30 pm on Navigating Nationhood talking the 2025-2026 Budget
My fellow Bahamians,
One does not have to read beyond the first few lines of the 2025–2026 National Budget to see the truth--this budget is not a financial plan; it is a political performance. It is, in every sense, a Deceptive Dance with Words, designed to mislead and manipulate rather than inform and empower the people.
The introduction begins innocently enough:
“In this budget, briefly, our expenditure and policy actions include measures to…”
That line clearly outlines intentions--what the government plans to do.
It sets the tone for action, for goals, for promises to be fulfilled.
But suddenly, without warning, it declares: “For the very first time since Independence, we have finally secured the achievement of a balanced budget. More than a balanced budget – a budget with a surplus.”
This abrupt shift from planning to pronouncement is more than confusing—it is intentionally misleading. It inserts a grand claim of national achievement into a paragraph about future policy, presenting a political victory as if it were already fact.
This is not accidental. It is calculated deception, a deliberate attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of the Bahamian people. Without confirmed, audited evidence—without the necessary financial disclosures--such a statement cannot be trusted. It is not transparency; it is theatrics. It is not responsible governance; it is manipulation. And we must call it what it is:
A sham, a disrespectful insult to the intelligence, integrity, and sovereignty of the Bahamian people.
Here's what this tells us:
1. The Government Has No Respect for the People's Intelligence
By presenting a projection as an accomplishment, the government assumes we are too distracted or too uninformed to notice the contradiction. This is an affront to every citizen who expects honesty and accountability from those in power.
2. It Is an Abuse of Public Trust
We depend on the Budget Communication to tell us the truth about how our money is spent. When the government blurs the line between plans and facts, it breaks that sacred trust, treating public perception as more important than public welfare.
3. It Shows Contempt for Democracy
In any true democracy, leaders must be accountable. But by twisting the facts and parading projections as victories, the Davis Administration shows that truth is negotiable, so long as it serves political interests. This is not leadership—it is deception.
4. It Disrespects the Budget Process
A national budget is a serious, binding financial commitment—not a campaign speech. Misusing it to create illusions of success cheapens the process and disrespects the citizens it is meant to serve.
5. It Violates Financial Accountability
If this so-called surplus has not been verified by independent audits, then the government is not simply mistaken—they are being dishonest. Good governance requires proof, not propaganda.
6. It Erodes Civic Confidence
When citizens feel manipulated, they lose faith—not just in a party, but in the entire system. Cynicism replaces hope. Silence replaces participation. And that is dangerous for any democracy.
My fellow Bahamians,
we must open our eyes. This is not just about politics—it is about principle. We are being asked to celebrate an illusion instead of being shown the truth. We are being treated as spectators to a show, not as citizens of a country.
But we are not fools.
We are a proud people, strong and wise, and we deserve better. We deserve leaders who speak plainly, who respect our right to know the truth, and who uphold the sacred duty of public trust. A budget speech is not a stage for illusion—it is a contract with the people.
So, let us rise with open eyes and steady hearts, and demand the truth. Not for party, not for power, but for the future of our nation. Because The Bahamas belongs to the people. And the people must never be deceived.
The Weight of the Flag: A Nation at the Crossroads
May 16th 2025
My beloved Bahamian people,
Today, my heart is under the weight of the Flag, as Jesus struggled up Golgotha's Hill under the weight of the cross.
We are witnessing a moment in our national story so serious, so consequential, that silence would be complicity, and apathy would be treason of the soul. What we now face is not merely a political issue or an immigration debate — this is a national crisis and a spiritual reckoning.
Imagine this: The Bahamas flag carried high, a symbol of sovereignty, sacrifice, and pride — flying over an aircraft that leaves our soil not in pursuit of trade, relief, or diplomacy — but on a twice-weekly journey, returning hundreds of undocumented foreign nationals, issued legal documents without due process upon arrival.
Let this truth settle in: This is not immigration. This is infiltration.
And to the extent that those in authority orchestrate it knowingly, this is not mismanagement — This is betrayal! This is treason!
We, the Bahamian people are Carrying the Burden!Every nation has a heart. Ours beats through the lives of hardworking Bahamians — mothers stretching groceries to feed their children, youth searching for jobs that don’t exist, elderly crying out under the weight of rising costs and a crumbling healthcare system.
And yet, while the people struggle, the government uses national infrastructure — our planes, our airports, our fuel, and yes, our flag — to facilitate the mass entry of individuals who bypass the very legal systems our very own citizens must respect.
We are not blind. We are not hateful. We are not xenophobic. We are just, and we are Awake.
This is not about race or rejection of those in need — this is about Order, Sovereignty, Justice, and Survival.
The Strain Is RealAsk the educators in overcrowded classrooms. Ask the nurses in clinics without beds. Ask the policemen overwhelmed by rising crime. Ask the young Bahamian mother who can’t get on a lot list. We are straining under the weight of unchecked and unjust systems, designed not for the people but for political control and quiet compromise.
And let us ask plainly: Who benefits from this?
Certainly not the Bahamian people.
Not the overworked civil servants.
Not the honest immigrant who follows the rules.
But someone does. And in this reality, we find the fingerprints not of compassion — but of corruption.
When the Laws are Ignored, the Nation BleedsAny nation that allows its laws to be undermined from within will fall not by the sword of enemies, but by the silence of its people.
When legal documents are handed out like candy, without vetting, background checks, or national interest in mind, what we are seeing is not benevolence. It is the erosion of our sovereignty — one flight, one stamp, one soul at a time.
The Bahamas is not just a playground for the elite or a dumping ground for desperation. It is a God-given inheritance, purchased by the blood, sweat, and prayers of generations before us. We must protect it, or we will lose it.
I cannot stress enough that a Righteous Nation Requires Righteous LeadershipScripture says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” — Proverbs 14:34
Our current crisis is not just political. It is spiritual. We cannot expect righteousness in governance if there is unrighteousness in the hearts of those who lead. If leaders ignore the law, they are no longer leaders — they are liabilities to the people they swore to protect.
Bahamian citizens, you are not helpless. You are not voiceless. You are not slaves to political systems. You are the nation.
If we do not defend our borders, we will lose our identity.
If we do not demand truth, we will live under deception.
If we do not stand up now, we will bow down later.
And so I ask you:
Where are the voices of courage?
Where are the intercessors, the advocates, the elders with backbone?
Where are the Nehemiahs — weeping for the city, then rising up to rebuild and defend it?
Let this be the generation that says: Enough is enough.
Let this be the generation that remembers that the Bahamian flag means something.
Let this be the generation that defends The Bahamas not with hate, but with holy boldness and national conviction.
We are called to be Stewards. We are called to be Builders. We are called to be Defenders. And the Time to Arise — is Now!
Rebuilding Our Bahamas: The Moral Compass We Desperately Need May
May 5th 2025
My Fellow Bahamians,
Today, I do not speak as a politician, rather as a Bahamian recognizing the dire need for Righteous Governance in our Nation. I speak as a citizen deeply committed to the future of this beautiful nation — The Bahamas. Our waters are among the most breathtaking in the world, but beneath the surface of our paradise, the cry for changing the existing corrupt system is no longer quiet, but resonates deeply within the hearts of Bahamians everywhere. Yet, as we contemplate the path forward, it becomes evident that true and lasting reform cannot be achieved through policy changes alone. It requires a profound transformation rooted in moral and ethical leadership. Reconstruction is not just about roads, policies, or buildings. It begins with people. It begins with leadership. And more importantly — it begins with Moral and Ethical clarity.
As S. Ali McIntosh, the Servant Leader of the Bahamas Constitution Party eloquently outlined in her book “How to Reconstruct a Nation,” the very first step in rebuilding a nation is to establish a moral and ethical foundation in leadership. Without it, no system can stand, no economy can thrive, and no citizen can trust, or be trusted, which is exactly why 'Travel Palsy' Newsmagazine has named The Bahamas as one of 10 Caribbean Nations on the brink of collapse. The report went on to state that The Caribbean is facing a crisis few are willing to acknowledge. Behind the beaches and tourist brochures, some of the region’s most iconic nations are hurling toward total collapse - driven by broken policies, corruption, climate vulnerability, crime, and economic decay.
Why Morality Matters in Government
When leadership is ‘unanchored’ from integrity, the result is national instability — corruption, mismanagement, injustice, and growing cynicism among the people. We've all seen what happens when decisions are driven by personal gain rather than the common good. We've felt the consequences of short-term thinking that sells out our children’s future.
But imagine a Bahamas where leadership is Accountable, Honest, and Visionary. Imagine policies crafted not for headlines, but for the health and dignity of every citizen. Picture a Cabinet that fears no audit, a Parliament that welcomes scrutiny, and a Prime Minister whose decisions reflect a covenant with GOD, a strong Labor representation, and the people — not a contract with power.
My fellow Bahamians, this is exactly what S. Ali McIntosh, Servant Leader of the Bahamas Constitution Party, and the next Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is offering - Leadership You Can Trust. True leadership is not about titles — it’s about trust. And trust can only be earned through transparency, service, and moral courage. This is not an appeal to return to old systems with new faces. This is a call to fundamentally redesign leadership itself. We must demand more than Charisma; we must demand Character. Not just promises — but principles. Let us elect those who are not simply capable, but conscientious. Let us champion leaders who prioritize justice over popularity, and truth over political convenience. Which is why one of the enduring objectives of the Bahamas Constitution Party is, ‘Integrity More Noble than Expedience, is never Negotiable.’
Let us be bold enough to believe that The Bahamas can lead the Caribbean and the world — not just in Tourism, but in ethical governance.
A Call to Every Citizen.
This message is for every Bahamian citizen/voter, wherever you are in the world, whether you are a business owner, a public servant, a teacher, or a young graduate wondering if your country sees you. Rest assured, the Bahamas Constitution Party sees you. And an important part of Reconstructing our Nation is to bring all interested Bahamians back home, and put an end to the brain drain. We are not powerless. We are not destined to repeat history. But the change we long for, begins when you demand leaders of substance and character — and when we, who aspire to lead, live up to those expectations.
The Bahamas Constitution Party’s persuasion is not about political parties. This is about Principle.
Let us rebuild this nation from the inside out. Let us begin, as McIntosh urges, by anchoring our leadership in moral and ethical truth. A better Bahamas is possible — and it starts with the courage to choose character over convenience.
Your voice matters! Your vote matters! The future awaits!
Join the live conversation online on ‘Rebuilding Our Bahamas: The Moral Compass We Desperately Need - ” on Date Friday, May 09, 2025 Time: 11:00 am via Facebook.
Today, I do not speak as a politician, rather as a Bahamian recognizing the dire need for Righteous Governance in our Nation. I speak as a citizen deeply committed to the future of this beautiful nation — The Bahamas. Our waters are among the most breathtaking in the world, but beneath the surface of our paradise, the cry for changing the existing corrupt system is no longer quiet, but resonates deeply within the hearts of Bahamians everywhere. Yet, as we contemplate the path forward, it becomes evident that true and lasting reform cannot be achieved through policy changes alone. It requires a profound transformation rooted in moral and ethical leadership. Reconstruction is not just about roads, policies, or buildings. It begins with people. It begins with leadership. And more importantly — it begins with Moral and Ethical clarity.
As S. Ali McIntosh, the Servant Leader of the Bahamas Constitution Party eloquently outlined in her book “How to Reconstruct a Nation,” the very first step in rebuilding a nation is to establish a moral and ethical foundation in leadership. Without it, no system can stand, no economy can thrive, and no citizen can trust, or be trusted, which is exactly why 'Travel Palsy' Newsmagazine has named The Bahamas as one of 10 Caribbean Nations on the brink of collapse. The report went on to state that The Caribbean is facing a crisis few are willing to acknowledge. Behind the beaches and tourist brochures, some of the region’s most iconic nations are hurling toward total collapse - driven by broken policies, corruption, climate vulnerability, crime, and economic decay.
Why Morality Matters in Government
When leadership is ‘unanchored’ from integrity, the result is national instability — corruption, mismanagement, injustice, and growing cynicism among the people. We've all seen what happens when decisions are driven by personal gain rather than the common good. We've felt the consequences of short-term thinking that sells out our children’s future.
But imagine a Bahamas where leadership is Accountable, Honest, and Visionary. Imagine policies crafted not for headlines, but for the health and dignity of every citizen. Picture a Cabinet that fears no audit, a Parliament that welcomes scrutiny, and a Prime Minister whose decisions reflect a covenant with GOD, a strong Labor representation, and the people — not a contract with power.
My fellow Bahamians, this is exactly what S. Ali McIntosh, Servant Leader of the Bahamas Constitution Party, and the next Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is offering - Leadership You Can Trust. True leadership is not about titles — it’s about trust. And trust can only be earned through transparency, service, and moral courage. This is not an appeal to return to old systems with new faces. This is a call to fundamentally redesign leadership itself. We must demand more than Charisma; we must demand Character. Not just promises — but principles. Let us elect those who are not simply capable, but conscientious. Let us champion leaders who prioritize justice over popularity, and truth over political convenience. Which is why one of the enduring objectives of the Bahamas Constitution Party is, ‘Integrity More Noble than Expedience, is never Negotiable.’
Let us be bold enough to believe that The Bahamas can lead the Caribbean and the world — not just in Tourism, but in ethical governance.
A Call to Every Citizen.
This message is for every Bahamian citizen/voter, wherever you are in the world, whether you are a business owner, a public servant, a teacher, or a young graduate wondering if your country sees you. Rest assured, the Bahamas Constitution Party sees you. And an important part of Reconstructing our Nation is to bring all interested Bahamians back home, and put an end to the brain drain. We are not powerless. We are not destined to repeat history. But the change we long for, begins when you demand leaders of substance and character — and when we, who aspire to lead, live up to those expectations.
The Bahamas Constitution Party’s persuasion is not about political parties. This is about Principle.
Let us rebuild this nation from the inside out. Let us begin, as McIntosh urges, by anchoring our leadership in moral and ethical truth. A better Bahamas is possible — and it starts with the courage to choose character over convenience.
Your voice matters! Your vote matters! The future awaits!
Join the live conversation online on ‘Rebuilding Our Bahamas: The Moral Compass We Desperately Need - ” on Date Friday, May 09, 2025 Time: 11:00 am via Facebook.