Thad Hollis: SAGE Report A Blistering Indictment
[Updated] The SAGE Report is a “blistering indictment of the way Bermuda has been run in past years, especially during the years when the PLP was the Government,” OBA chairman Thad Hollis said today.
The 140-page SAGE Report [PDF] recommended a raft of cost cutting measures including raising the retirement age to 68, reducing the House of Assembly from 36 to 30 seats and Cabinet to a maximum of 8 Ministers and closing all post offices but three and reducing staff.
Mr Hollis said, “It was comforting to hear Progressive Labour Party Leader Marc Bean, in his reply to the Throne Speech, acknowledge that his party has supported ‘an overwhelming majority’ of the legislation the One Bermuda Alliance took to Parliament during the last session, because they could see it would benefit the Bermudian people.
“And it is comforting also to note the work he and his party have so obviously done to come up with constructive suggestions to help Bermuda find its way out of this awful mess we find ourselves in. I hope my Parliamentary colleagues will give their ideas due consideration and will act on them, if they also have the potential to benefit the Bermudian people.
“But in two respects, Mr Bean’s Throne Speech Reply [PDF] was disconcerting,” continued Mr Hollis.
“First, in almost the same breath he used to describe his party’s spirit of cooperation, he said the OBA was ‘a government that seeks to stifle voices of criticism…that uses intimidation tactics in an effort to create fear in their opponents…that has direct influence or control over key aspects of the media, while ducking and suppressing issues or legitimate questions from other media, and who operates with the silent, unquestioning assent of their supporters.’
“I have no hesitation in saying that is complete nonsense. The OBA does not try to stifle criticism, has no control of the media and our supporters are not the zombies he suggests they might be. But the fact that Mr Bean would use those terms demonstrates the PLP leadership’s Jekyll and Hyde approach to politics in Opposition.
“They are prepared to say one thing to give comfort to those among their voters and potential voters who have a constructive viewpoint, and quite another to those who are more negative, not caring when the two voices in which they speak are contradictory. I think the PLP leadership owes it to Bermudians, not least those Bermudians who support them, to reveal whether they are a constructive party that puts the country first, or a negative party that puts its politics first. They can’t be a party of two faces forever.
“But I think the most deeply disappointing aspect of Mr Bean’s address was that it showed the PLP leadership still has no clue about the symbiotic economic relationship between Bermudians and non-Bermudians,” continued Mr Hollis.
“Mr Bean said that Bermudians were ‘left behind, marginalized, displaced, and disadvantaged in our own country.’ His party, he said, has a vision that put Bermudians at the centre of things. ‘Bermudians come first in our vision, first in our plans, and (will) be the first to benefit from all that Bermuda has to offer.’
“It’s ironic that on the day he should say that in Parliament, the full SAGE Commission Report should have been published for the first time. That report is a long, blistering indictment of the way Bermuda has been run in past years, especially during the years when the PLP was the Government.
“Bermuda’s enormous, crushing debt was created by legislators who were like kids in a candy store, buying and building anything they thought they could describe as benefitting the Bermudians at the centre of their vision, without any regard for whether Bermuda as a country could afford it.
“There is little doubt in my mind that to the extent they cared about where the money would come from in the end, they thought growth in the two pillars of our economy, international business and tourism, would provide it. Those were the geese that would lay golden eggs for us. And when their shabby treatment made some of those geese fly away, they found themselves in difficulty. Or rather, Bermuda found itself in difficulty.
“Let’s be clear. There will be no recovery from our economic troubles without repairing the damage that was done to international business and tourism. There is no point carrying on about putting Bermudians first if there’s nothing coming in to the Government’s coffers to do that with.
“We all, OBA and PLP, want to repair the damage that has been done. We all want to get Bermudians back to work and moving forward in a positive way. But we have some very tough decisions ahead of us. The way Bermuda works needs some serious rearranging if that is going to happen.
“A tripartite economic committee, involving Government, the unions and the private sector has been meeting to discuss the decisions that need to be taken.
“Premier Craig Cannonier told the meeting at the Fairmont Southampton hotel, ‘Unless we find a way to sit at a table like this and really hash out what’s needed to move us forward, then this wonderful place we call Bermuda will continue to have the challenges we’ve seen.’
“That’s the sobering reality that the PLP leadership needs to get straight in its head,” concluded Mr Hollis.
Update 10.06pm: In response, a PLP spokesperson said, “While the OBA continues to have no plan for getting Bermudians back to work and are preparing to grant status to thousands of non-Bermudians, the PLP is focused on:
- Getting Bermudians back to work
- Expanding fairness and opportunity for Bermudians in the workplace
- Creating incentives for Bermudian business creation
- Reforming Financial Assistance and
- Increasing government revenue through economic growth as opposed to cuts and privatisation pushed by the OBA.
“We encourage Bermudians to ignore the OBA’s words, focus on their actions and join us in pushing for a Bermuda where Bermudians come first.”
Our Premier is absolutely correct when he says unless we find a way to hash out what’s needed to move us forward, the challenges will continue!!!
It would be nice if the plp put their pride aside and apologize for the mess they made and start being part of the solution, this would help make their supporters understand the seriousness of this situation and then and only then can we start moving up and up!!!!! The plp know very well that the IB sector is the only way rite now and they should be supporting he polocies of the OBA instead of the usual politricking from them!!!
“There is no point carrying on about putting Bermudians first if there’s nothing coming in to the Government’s coffers to do that with.”
I wonder how the PLP will find a way to demonize this.
Blah, Blah, Blah, you sound like a man who tells a woman Ill marry you then you marry her and blame the ex-husband because the marriage don’t work.
The PLP have such a dumb demographic to appeal to.
thats a very broad brush there sir.. i would challenge that astonishing statement, but for you to say such a thing show your thought process so i will save my energy and instead engage someone who doesn’t have a superiority complex.
Well every statement about demographics will be with a ‘broad brush’.
I stand by what I said. Their demographic very dumb. Or at least uneducated.
PS. Anyone who can support a party that has so BLATANTLY FAILED THEM is dumb. Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb.
And you sound like a racist demagogue.
But, in response to your comment…
Are you saying that the previous government had nothing to do with where we’re at as a country?
Seriously?
Why Micheal J Hind are you always stalking people on here, Don’t you have a life outside of bernews?
Yep. I do.
Why do you have a problem with my posts and not “Mazumbo”s? Do you agree with him?
Here’s a hint… if you don’t like my posts, don’t read them.
mike,, ain’t that statement by “lets be real” just as racist or stereotypical to say the least.???? a spade is a spade,, can’t believe he or she would attempt to insult so many people
Did “Let’s Be Real” claim that “It’s in the blood” or that people behave badly because other members of their race did? Or that, because of the colour of their skin, they wouldn’t understand a basic concept or vote for a political party? Did he use racist epithets?
‘Cuz Mazumbo has done all of those things.
If you can show anywhere that “Let’s be real” did that, I got your back and I’ll be railing against him with you.
I think the bit about “demonizing” is the perfect summary for what you are seeking. That single word is implying what @impressive is writing about.
Again. Nothing about what I said.
OK, I tried.
Tried what? I don’t understand what you are saying.
Tried to help you understand what Impressive was saying.
You actually make no sense yourself in your first response:
Mazumbo says:
November 17, 2013 at 7:10 pm
Blah, Blah, Blah, you sound like a man who tells a woman Ill marry you then you marry her and blame the ex-husband because the marriage don’t work
Mike Hind says:
November 17, 2013 at 9:28 pm
And you sound like a racist demagogue.
But, in response to your comment…
Are you saying that the previous government had nothing to do with where we’re at as a country?
Seriously?
Keep it correct says:
November 17, 2013 at 10:30 pm
Why Micheal J Hind are you always stalking people on here, Don’t you have a life outside of bernews?
Mike Hind says:
November 18, 2013 at 9:57 am
Yep. I do.
Why do you have a problem with my posts and not “Mazumbo”s? Do you agree with him?
Here’s a hint… if you don’t like my posts, don’t read them
Impressive says:
November 17, 2013 at 10:33 pm
mike,, ain’t that statement by “lets be real” just as racist or stereotypical to say the least.???? a spade is a spade,, can’t believe he or she would attempt to insult so many people
Reply
Mike Hind says:
November 18, 2013 at 10:00 am
Did “Let’s Be Real” claim that “It’s in the blood” or that people behave badly because other members of their race did? Or that, because of the colour of their skin, they wouldn’t understand a basic concept or vote for a political party? Did he use racist epithets?
‘Cuz Mazumbo has done all of those things.
If you can show anywhere that “Let’s be real” did that, I got your back and I’ll be railing against him with you.
Thats when I chimmed in to help with your understanding. In nowhere did Muzumbo imply that the previous government had nothing to do with where we’re at as a country. That was what you said not them. Then you preceed to tell everyone that they are not answering your questions and such when the fact still remains (and I am taking a page out of one of your posts when I say this) that your initial response is not what Muzumbo was saying, thats is what you said.
Still not making any sense.
But thanks for trying…
Mr.Hollis,good luck to you and your colleagues.
The former govt left Bermuda in such a mess,that even Warren Buffet,with all his astute business acumen,would find it difficult to fix.
However,the OBA collectively,have the personnel capable of turning us around.It will not be easy,as organizations,such as some trade unions,will not help,as their political agendas will not allow.
Our children and their children,are counting on the next 4 yrs,that you and your party will reverse the downward spiral,and get us back to where our economy will grow,and with that,prosperity for all.All the best!
The SAGE Report is a “blistering indictment of the way Bermuda has been run in past years, especially during the years when the PLP was the Government,”
Tell us something that we the public didnt already know!
What’s needed is a Government with the balls to fix it!
The irony is define PLP.
The voters, most of them are the backbone of the community.
And yes the OBA do stifle voices.
I can attest to that.
Print this Bernews.
Go on then, elaborate… Or else it’s just hot air.
That’s all Terry is – hot air and gibberish.
Now let’s do it instead of having another nice report. Empower business and we will all be better off for it. This country has to be lean and mean to survive out in the middle of the Atlantic. Ow rah!
slice and dice the civil service back down to pre 2002. offer retraining for vacant positions, private sector, or Bermuda College free of charge or early retirement for those who want it, and simply fire the troublemakers and unproductive….yup BIU free ride or terror and abuse is over. Thinking of an illegal Strike? go right ahead and BTW yur fired!
You sould like the guy off of Hunger Games.
My Lord, what will happen to these people you are dismissing so quickly, remember this is not their fault. Everyone is calling for the heasd of those who were hired and not the heads of those who did the hiring. Come on, if these folks are let go what will be the consequences ?
They’ll have to find jobs in the private sector, just like the ret of us.
Ahhhh so ya saying I need to come off my high Civil Servant horse and come down into the private sector hey? The Sharks do smell blood don’t we.
No. That’s what you’re saying.
I never said anything like that. I simply answered a question.
It’s “not their fault”.
What if they’re part of the 30% who abuse sick leave? What if they’re part of the post office, that sends back letters for petty reasons and fails to deliver when it’s raining?
And the report does talk about plenty of savings that can be made in higher-ups.
So is this the ulterior motivation for the OBA setting up SAGE? So that they can further solidify the propaganda that the PLP are solely to blame for our economic crisis? In my opinion every politician (UBP/OBA and PLP) had a role in getting us here.
I’m not saying that the polices of the previous government did not play its part, clearly some of them did. However to completely ignore the role that global economic forces played is just plain silly.
Mr. Hollis and others need to stop this finger pointing exercise and get on with the task of getting the country back on track. Playing the blame game will do nothing more than entrench people further into their political ideologies and create a climate of distrust perpetual back-and-forth finger pointing.
Mr. Hollis, your accusations of totally blaming the PLP for our situation will not foster “a spirit of cooperation” either. It will only exacerbate our frustrations and stifle sincere cooperation.
You can’t stop the bleeding until you find the wound.
Why are you defending the PLP? It’s not like pointing out that the PLP is responsible for this is hindering any of the REAL work from getting done.
Why are you defending the OBA?
Why would see my comment as a defense of the PLP? Didn’t you fully read my post,? I did concede that the PLP played a role in getting us here however, you and others like you, want to ignore all that was taking place on the global stage.
I think the OBA are doing their best to turn us around by making the difficult decisions, and I applaud them for keeping the politicizing to a minimum. But some of them, like Thad Hollis, want to continue on with finger pointing in order to score political points.
By the way, Why are you defending the OBA?
Who said that they are solely to blame?
Who is saying that the global crisis didn’t play a part?
And pointing out that the former Government has some responsibility for the state that we’re in – most of the time in response to a PLP propagandist trying to push the story that they had NO responsibility – is a very valid point.
Tonight, we have “Bud” Roban spreading smear about the OBA…
will you be tut-tutting and wagging your finger at him, too?
Mike,
Your comments highlight the problem that we have with he political discourse in this country. We have factions on each side of the divide that push their extreme viewpoints and it gets us nowhere…it’s a waste of time.
I Am neither a proponent or opponent of either political party. Both have their faults. Both have made blunders. I am only a proponent of good decision making based on sound reason and logic…not political ideology!
Who the hell is “Bud” Roban?
Gandalf:
Our buddy Mike Hind says that he is interested in honest discourse and what is best for Bermuda (and sometimes, I truly believe he means it) – - however, he gets caught in his emotions and stalks people like Betty Trump and Mazumbo – just to strike as a proponent of the OBA (he doesn’t realize that it looks like he is being used by that party).
He means well but sometimes he gets caught up – - pray for him – - wait, he doesn’t believe in religion either.
Q
All this commentary about how I post… and yet not a word from either of you about WHAT I posted.
Another personal attack from “Question”, ironically denouncing me for stalking, after stalking ME a couple of weeks ago, making things up about how I’m being used by the OBA, my beliefs, how I get caught up in emotions… none of it true, of course…
and none of it about my post.
I wonder why that is.
Mike:
Again, you insist on informing me about what I should post versus what I choose to post about. Now, I choose to speak to some of those items you just posted – -
1. The stalking concept – - you provided your travel details freely – - I didn’t put a gun to your head to share that information with the world – - AND I relate the “stalking” thing to the FACT that every time either Betty T or Maz post, your commentary is listed directly below – - that’s stalking – - I don’t post on EVERY comment from you (you can go back and check if you would like – I have the time to wait)
2. I first stated that you truly look for health discussion, but in MY OPINION, you get caught up in emotion – - you might not believe that to be true, but I can only go by your words posted, which at times, can be very emotionally charged (IMHO).
3. Now, the last point – you said that I didn’t post about your original post – - that’s true – - I replied to Gandalf’s post – - there is nothing to be said about your post – - It was a well thought out statement which is true – - never denied that.
Q
Unbelievable
Defending an ad hominems. Unbelievable.
“Bud” was a name Mr. Roban used to hide behind on a Bermuda blog, pretending to be a “man of the people” and a blue collar worker.
Now… why didn’t you address my post? I see more finger wagging about “extreme viewpoints” (is asking you to elaborate on your post an “extreme viewpoint”? Really?), but no actual elaboration.
THAT’s what is a waste of time. Actual discourse? Not a waste of time at all.
Care to join in?
damn MIke ya gone deep. exploiting i.P addresses and all
Nope. You’re making things up again.
I didn’t do anything of the sort.
This is the second time you’ve accused me of doing something I didn’t.
Why is that?
Proof of that?
Go check the blog. It happened.
Yep, it’s true. Roban was “Bud”, and for quite a long time. Pretty foul-mouthed he was too, when he was “Bud”.
I imagine he’d probably admit it of you asked him. So many people know about it, there’s no point in him denying it.
And outkasted, it was nothing to do with “exploiting IP addresses”. Bud got caught out. He tried to act like ‘one of those blue collar guys’ but couldn’t quite keep up the façade.
No offence intended, but Minister Bob Richards said on several occasions both in press and in person that PLP is solely to blame and that the global crissi did not play a part in Bermuda’s economic crisis.
Those are facts by the way.
When? Show us.
Yet again misguided to misdirect attention. The OBA nor Thad Hollis have never blamed totally blamed the PLP for our situation, but PLP certainly played a significant part in Bermuda current tanked economy which they themselves admit to.
Not true. Bob Richards was very outspoken about this before and leading up to the election.
He never said that it was totally their fault. No one has.
@ Mike,
I’m sorry, I have to chime in. On many occasions we heard that the PLP was to blame, not the financial crisis.
Mike, you can have your opinion like anyone else, but don’t sit there and try to tell people what they heard or what they saw. I know what I saw and heard, don’t need to prove anything to you!
Solely? When?
Surely it’s easy to pull up an example of when Mr. Richards said “This is solely the fault of the PLP and the financial crisis had nothing to do with it.”
Why is this so hard to do?
I keep hearing “Everyone is saying the financial crisis had nothing to do with it and it’s all the PLP’s fault”, but I can’t actually find anyone that thinks that or is saying that.
“ABM” here basically said that Mr. Richards DID, in fact, say this.
I’m just asking “When?”
Like I said before, leading up to the election he siad this several times.
Surely you can show a link to back it up, because – and this is why I’m asking… and I thought I was pretty clear – to my knowledge, this didn’t happen.
So… links? Any sort of evidence?
the only time oba/plp/ubb are friends is when some of their members get togather to wear those funny clothes
That is right!
The recession didn’t cause the over bloating and inefficiencies of the civil service. A political Party did.
SAGE – Stupid A** Government Excrement – it is the PLP’s fault!!!!!!
This past PLP government reminded me of someone who had won a bit of money quit their job blew all the money on crap and now are in a hole. That Sage report is a joke. We’ll end up with nothing if we go with all these recomendations.
PLP Leader Marc bean has one job, and one job only, and that is to return the PLP to power.
The old guard of the PLP are watching his performance and if he manages to make it through the four years up to the next election he is going to have a real fight on his hands when the old guard start to surface and rear their ugly heads again. Dame Jennifer Smith and Col. Burch want their jobs back and only time will tell if he will be able to wash his hands from these trouble makers within his party.
I too am anticipating an illegal strike by Chris Furbert and his people….to the OBA, I say…give them the rope and see if anyone cares – it will save us a ton of money and we won’t miss them at all
Who are “his people” ?!
do u really want that a strike now? the unions have all come together. They will bring this island to a stand still. Ya seeerz? It really is becoming US vs. Them (Civil vs. Private)
I have often said this’You break the Union you will break the country’
But if there is a civil war you are wishing for; so be it. civil wars have
the propensity to cleanse a country. Creating the conditions to begin anew.
People who constantly advocate for violence are of a weak constitution and even a weaker mind.
Oh, a threat. How sophisticated.
civil vs. private…there is blood in the water.. and the sharks are circling… Just on FAT civil servant falls in the water and there will be a feeding frenzy.
The Sage Report is nasty medicine. Admit it or not the PLP, almost all by itself, got us in this situation. Well, not quite. The Bermuda voters put them back in time after time when during the first term it was plain to see which direction they were heading.
The situation is really the Bermuda voters fault. Collective wisdom of the voters has proven to be not that wise. Now the PLPs support base are going to be the ones who suffer the most. One can assume that a huge majority on the Government payroll vote PLP. Very few in top jobs will be smiling their way into early retirement. Others will be looking for a job. There are no welfare jobs where you get paid to do nothing in the private sector. There is no scamming the employer for sick days.
Triangle Drifter why do you feel the vast majority of Civil Servants abuse their sick days? Why do you seem to question or assume that the vast majority of civil service are some unskilled or unqualified individuals. Obviously maybe you don’t seem to understand that the when it comes to TOP qualifications and education guess who has it. The Civil Service. Find me one civil Service worker that is qualified or skilled that can’t find a job after leaving government. Not very many or none that I can think off. Many of those that I know that have left civil service have taken top positions in the private sector often by passing individuals that have been in that private company for years, but that has happened both ways were people have entered government from the private sector as well. The vast majority of Civil Service (BPSU) do possess those bachelor and master degrees. They are skilled. So what happens if you take a whole heap of qualified, skilled labour into the private sector workforce. Oh I know what you will have…increased competition. Be careful what you ask for. There are companies (private) companies that have consistently have gotten government contracts over the years and in many ways feel obligated that they should possess all the ‘BIG’ contracts, but now that there are no big contracts or fewer contracts they are struggling and are looking at the smaller jobs and are saying they can do better and be more efficient simply because they have more resources and a deeper bench. Let me tell you this, No one understands government policy and procedure than government workers. Why because they wrote the damn book. The private sector did not have to do anything but adopt similar policies and procedures and wage benefits that YOU the private sector enjoy now. The BIU and BPSU and other unions have policies and procedures that the private sector fall in line with. Why? Because it made sense. You the private sector enjoy YOUR, wages and YOUR benefits not in spite but because of the government policies and procedures. So to you I say. Your Welcome.
We need another 1981, trust me we are on the verge of a mass govt walk out, and will not be the union leaders decision, it will the members. BIU AND BPSU !!!!
You really think we “need” that?
When you walk out, stay out!!! I cannot for the life of me believe that people like you are still thinking that way??? Your plp created this mess, and I don’t care what the muppets say, Bermuda could have come through the global recession relatively unscathed if the plp had listened!!! But nope, they thought it would be better to stay on course with the term limit nonsense and then went even further by raising the payroll tax on them to pay for all the plp blunders??? The IB sector showed them who actually is more important by moving departments heads out of here and which lead to many Bermudians being left unemployed!!! Now we have 5000 less workers paying government taxes into an already over bloated government work force, and Robert says they are going to walk out??? When are they ever going to understand, who is the real reason (plp) that they are suffering?????
And now that the private sector jobs can’t find enough work they want those government jobs right. Oh yes. The sharks are circling.
I say do it. Finish what’s let of this country and lose your income while throwing your tantrum. Not too sure about the other Unions, but I know for a fact the BIU coffers couldn’t assist their members in a strike.
Go ahead then and see who hurts the most.
Go for it – I just hope the OBA has the guts not to pay them. If they don’t get paid it won’t last long….and no overtime on their return.
Curious that many heads of various Departments are now taking “Retirement” they sense the ride is over and want to take the money while there is some left to collect…they probably sense that work may become performance related and you have to show up and work to get paid……then on the other hand the OBA has to have the stomach to make tough decisions that will hurt in the short turn but help in the long run….crude analogy but the tree needs to be pruned before it can grow again so start with the dead wood and dead branches…
“We encourage Bermudians to ignore the OBA’s words, focus on their actions and join us in pushing for a Bermuda where Bermudians come first.”
hahahaha…that’s right everyone please ignore the reaity of our situation and how we got to this point…hahaha
if only everyone was that dumb…
It makes me smile to see some people on here advocating for strikes and civil unrest due to what this report revealed.
It is as you guys just want the waste of our taxpayer funds to continue unabated and with no consequence. Well you got your wish for a long time and where did that get us? To the unsustainable financial position that we find ourselves in as of today. So why are you guys so against making the Goverment much more effeicient in how it uses taxpayer dollars and to stop the hemorraging of funds to who knows where? With stronger Government finances imagine what can be achieved in terms of infrastructure development and social programs.
But then again I imagine these same people are the ones that cheered on Paula Cox and Co. in 2010 when they raised the payroll tax and foreign currency purchase tax in the middle of what the PLP have dubbed the Great Recession. So if you guys simply want the waste and graft to continue not one of you better complain about increasing debt levels and the need to raise taxes even further.
This is what they call ‘Restructuring’. These recommendations will open the floodgate to foreign investors through the privatization of government entities, and it will practically eliminate the middle class wage earner. The SAGE Commission report merely puts into words all that was planned long before the group was even formed.
OMG! you hit the nail on the Head!Well said. Let’s see who leads the charge. Connect the dots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szNLMtgI7hU
Of the 77 Government departments, 75 were created by the UBP. The two created by the PLP were Sustainable Development and the Procurement Office. Remind me again who is responsible for the bloated, outdated, unworkable organisational structure of government?
The PLP.
Ahem: “evidence” ?
See the graph on page 11 of the SAGE report for evidence…
Which part of what is written is a lie? Clarify please?
Because I’ve read that same report and only see one error in what Double Standards has written, and thats the number 77 which should have been a 72.
It seems that you are trying to imply that Double Standards has written nothing but lies. I hope that is incorrect; if it is, then can you please clarify for all of us that actually read what is written?
I stand correct, my apologies.
Easy. We weren’t in this predicament under the UBP. And, for a long time, under the PLP, showing that the system, when run properly, works. But when it’s mismanaged and oberstaffed, things end up like they have here.
Evidence.
This is the stuff that I have been advocating for a long time now.
Actually that is a bold face lie which is easily refuted by the graph presented on page 11 of the SAGE report.
Many, like you, won’t read the document and believe that you can spout your lies easily and that others will simply lap it up without any critical thinking and/or research.
But unfortunately there are others who do read it and pay attention who will easily rebut your false truths and blatant lies.
Given the population of Bermuda the civil service was too large, & growing, under the UBP. One of the often repeated PLP promises was to cut the size of the civil service. Never happened. Just talk. It grew & grew. Now look where it is.
It would be interesting to see a comparison of the size of the Bermuda civil service vs the municipal Government & services for a similar sized town elsewhere starting with the number of the town directors/MPs.
Privatising many Government services does not mean that they will support themselves. For example the ferry service & buses could never be self supporting given current ridership & fares. There will need to be Government subsidization. The difference will be that the privatized services will be much more efficiently run needing far less tax money to subsidize them.
What you say in theory sounds very good almost too good to be true. I want to believe you. Trust me.
Thanks PLP,for effi………en up Bermuda!
OBA,keep trying,you got a lot to do.
WOW. WOW. WOW. How much of the statistical data in this report was blatantly incorrect. Oh i’m sure there will be corrections to follow, but the damage will be already done. Will people heads roll for reporting incorrect facts? Or will there be just a few apologies and a few corrections stated on page.38 in the RG. It definitely won’t be front page news. sigh. I smell a rat.
Well? How much? You seem to know. How about showing us which parts are “blatantly incorrect”?
You mean CS jobs? Fire incomoetence as SAGE suggests?