Premier: ‘Debt Represents Investment’
The debt that “the OBA screeches about represents investment in Bermuda’s future,” Premier and Minister of Finance Paula Cox said today [Mar.2] following the Opposition’s Budget 2012 Reply.
Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards noted the 2012/13 Budget “adds a staggering $200 million to our debt” and provided a chart showing Bermuda’s debt was under $200,000 until a few years ago, and now stands at over $1 billion. Government had announced in the budget that the new debt ceiling will be $1.45 billion, a raise from $1.25 billion.
“The only growth this PLP government has proven it can produce is growth in debt, and they have grown that at warp speed,” said Mr Richards. “Since the Premier became Finance Minister in 2004/05, Government debt has grown more than 700%.”
Premier Cox said, “The OBA’s glossing over the true meaning of the audited financial statements of the Country causes one to despair as to the length they will go to grab hold of power.
“Their reply today mimicked government initiatives and strategy and manipulated budget figures to arrive at make believe estimates of their own to show exaggerated debt numbers.
“The debt that the OBA screeches about represents investment in Bermuda’s future. It is investment in economic and social infrastructure that will be of value for today’s needs and for the needs of the next generation or two.
“Part of the debt also represents an economic backstop that has preserved thousands of jobs for Bermudians during the most difficult recession we have faced in our lifetime,” said the Premier.
“The global recession that was triggered in 2008 by the collapse of Lehman Brothers Bank hit Bermuda hard as it did many other countries of the world. The OBA would like to confuse the true with their disingenuous fabrications to curry favour.
“The Opposition has shunted aside Bermuda’s national interest in siding with Cayman against Bermuda in their reply. Patriotic – I think not.”
Premier Cox concluded, “This Government, the PLP Government, is for the people of Bermuda.”
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- Who’s Screeching Who? | March 2, 2012
She’s an idiot
Real classy, that’ll get you votes for the OBA. Insult the premier.
Almost as classy as calling the Opposition neo-fascists that want to lock as all up and place shackles around our ankles and drag us back onto the plantation..
The debt represents incompetence. We can all afford a little bit of incompetence….but an avalanche of incompetence will kill us all. It’s time to invest outside of Bermuda.
I resent you calling My Premier an idiot! Could you have simply disagreed?
She is your premier, I thought she was our premier. If she is yours then perhaps you are responsible for this deception.
What’s the difference between an idiot and a moron? I’ve never considered the lady in the former light before. With most investments you generally expect a return in your lifetime, doubtful investment this one, especially on borrowed money – idiotic? Moronic? Both?
I do not think Paula is an idiot, but she has no idea how to run our finances. I would have more respect for her if she just makes an excuse and exits politics..
@ Pepper . You got my vote on that one
Mine too.
She’s out of her depth. Deer in the headlights.
Blackseal you probably didn’t read what the Premier said, you are just hell bent on disrespecting her. That makes you an asshoxx.
For all of you out there that try and compare the PLP to Obama please see the below quote he made in 2006 while a Senator:
“The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies.”
The same Obama who raised the debt ceiling and engaged in a deficit-ballooning stimulus? Why not judge him by his deeds and not his words?
So apparently all politicians are full of ish…
We need ROMNEY in the US and RICHARDS in Bermuda! We don’t need all this Obama/PLP DEBT!
Oh and I am not judging Obama…just the PLP
Why not?! Obama made his country’s deficit A LOT worse than the PLP did! To me, they are two peas in a deficit and debt ballooning pod!
Mitt Romney and Bob Richards both have the right idea. We need to CUT GOVERNMENT in the US and in Bermuda. EXACT same thing.
Too bad Bob Richards doens’t agree with you
Obama became president, when the country was already in great debt. Read up on this, and look at Wall Street….housing crisis…big banks…Obama only attempted to rescue the USA….he deserves credit for that.
The OBA will thank you for this gem.
You are really naive about US politics, Specialgirl…
Obama has done nothing but ruin America’s economy. You’ll see when they slump back into another (even worse) recession by the end of this year, one that, almost entirely, will be his fault.
Exactly right! The PLP and Obama are VERY similar in terms of policies. If you like Obama, then you’ll love the PLP! Same thing.
We know that MITT ROMNEY is the voice of FISCAL SANITY like BOB RICHARDS. They are ideological soul mates. If you like Mitt Romney, then, you’ll love the OBA!
Finally found some area of agreement with you, special girl! There is no comparison between Obama and the PLP. Bush screwed the US and lied to them just like Brown lied to us. He left a pile of ish for Obama who is being blamed for it…just as the OBA will be blamed for the crap the PLP will be leaving behind.
The Republicans are lying to the American people still.
Personally, I wish I could find a tiny island where I can govern myself and not have to worry about all of this garbage.
Pastor Syl,
You don’t even have to leave Bermuda “to find a tiny island where you can govern” yourself. And after you do, you can just dump your trash into the ocean.
You UPB/OBA jokers are just praising Bob Richards because he is doing your bidding. If the UBP/OBA were to win the election(although they will not win) Cannonier would be kicked to the curb. Dunkley is licking his chops wating for this to happen. He knows that Cannonier is just being used because they think that the UBP/OBA wouldn’t stand a chance with a white leader that is why they put Cannonier as leader. Same old UPB(Use Black People)
That’s incorrect.
I absolutely agree with you Specialgirl!
So obama=Cannonier (finds monumental debt and tries to stop the bleeding)
1.2 billion in debt is certainly NOT an investment. This is full strength spin. Round and round and round we go where we stop nobody knows!
Since when could financial assistance, ministerial salaries and pensions, cost overspends, poor quality construction,ever be considered an investment. If I tell my grandchild in 10+ years time that the legacy of the overwhelming debt is an “investment”, he/she would be well within their rights to slap me.
Agreed
Its like someone buying a house they can not afford and then are unable to repay the debt. How is that an investment???
Because the investment refers to where all those unaccounted for millions are now!
By the way, the Cog has (deliberately?) taken Gordon Brown’s words – he too claimed the (UK) debt represented investment and every time he ran out of money came back and said more investment was needed.
take another phrase out of U.k. politics-” Labour’s Not Working”
Cog: “Their reply today mimicked government initiatives and strategy and manipulated budget figures to arrive at make believe estimates of their own to show exaggerated debt numbers.”
I’m not sure what numbers they are making up but I think we all agree that the number that is most concerning and most certainly NOT made up is the debt of $1.4 BILLION.
@Tired of nonsense – great quote!
1.2 billion.. Try not to make up things like Bob Richards
$1.2bn debt noted in last week’s budget along with an estimated $175mn deficit for the upcoming fiscal year.
Couple that with the fact that the PLP have constantly over and underestimated revenue and expenses respectively every year it is safe to say that the debt will balloon to and probably past the $1.4bn level mentioned above.
That’s not the number Bob is using, he’s just adding on 200 Million from a butterflied guarantee.
Lucky he didn’t include the underfunded pension obligations…
It will be (at least) $1.4 billion if they have a deficit of $200 million again this year…
Y’all being too optimistic! As foreign workers are hounded out and small business collapses, payroll falls,local spending falls, personal debt rises, forced austerity grows,
restaurants close, we circle the drain. The silver lining however is Jonathan Smith’s comforting statement that purse snatching is down even if shootings are terrorizing the
neighbourhoods. Let’s go with $1.45 billion just to be safe.
“Glossing over….”
“Mimicted….”
Screeches….”
“Confuse the true….”
“Shunted….”
Sounds very shrill & desperate!
Bob clearly hit a nerve and the truth’s hurting!! As it should, of course. This Government is causing more than enough pain for there to be plenty to go around and rub off on them.
Time for change…..
Lady, borrowing money to pay interest on hundreds of millions you borrowed in the past is NOT an investment.
All I can say about that claptrap is OMG!!!! She’s lost it….
ah not to worry it will all go away we are doing fine right?…………….right?
I’m happy to see the premier finally wake up and take the fight to the Opposition.
They’ve been allowed to be unchallenged on their lies for far too long.
What lies are you referring too?
PLP – it’s 2012 now. The US is recovering so stop blaming the 2008 economic turmoils for Bermuda’s issues.
You bit the hand that fed you too hard this time – International Businesses could only take so much of your arrogance and stupidity.
And you know it now as you are “revising” all your stupid laws that you put in place to push out non-Bermudians.
Times up PLP.
Why is it that IB Executive’s don’t agree? Did you read the Sun today?
ARE you sleeping? The USA are not fully recovering, they are working on it. Obama is doing all he can to repair a country that he found in debt.
And Ms Cox is doing all she can to put a country, that she put in debt, further in debt. All the while enjoying the ‘good life’ as Bermuda’s Nouveau Riche, on our dime, stubbornly refusing to take a decent salary cut, while the rest of us are scrambling for a dollar!
“Debt Represents Investment”… you’re kidding me, right?!
We desperately need a change.
Putting the country so deeply in debt that it will take generations to clear, if ever, is exactly the opposite of an investment in the future.
The PLP is not 100 percent responsible for the recession in Bermuda, but it certainly is responsible for seriously compounding the problem.
I would dearly love to be given proof of this statement.
“Part of the debt also represents an economic backstop that has preserved thousands of jobs for Bermudians during the most difficult recession we have faced in our lifetime,” said the Premier.
Try 100 Million in tax cuts last year alone! That’s a backstop.
What the hell are you talking about.
Voice of Reason, you do realise that what you’ve said actually proves the point of the PLP’s inability to manage money responsibly, don’t you?
That economic backstop and preserved jobs are those thousands in the bloated civil service with the inflated pay-scales.
Premier, you have no idea about finance …. so PLEASE do the Island a favour and resign .
I guess if it’s okay to refer to the Premier of Bermuda as “Cog”, it must be okay to refer to Craig Cannonier as “The Colt” and Bob Richards as “Bob the Snob”.
Agreed Laverne, lets stop using names…
Colt and Snob
Typical supremacist response.
she called herself a “cog” in the wheel if my memory serves correct.
Yes Furbert, she named herself the COG! Unfortunately the money is not being borrowed to fund capital projects that are income generating. So the COG is, um, deceiving us.
Thanks for coming out.
Great point LaVerne. Adding value…
You can say whatever you like as long as free speech is a part of the constitution. She brought that on herself; she should have NEVER said she was a cog in the wheel. That was a stupid thing to say
She never named or called herself a cog, you did not or fail to hear her correctly. She even spoke to this on “Lets Talk Monday evening, but thats just your disrepect for the leader. It is common behaviours from the OBA/UBP folks.
Yes she did say it. Everyone knows this. Is it respectful to call someone a house n****r? I didn’t think so. You guys just may want to think about all these things before you go whining about such trivial matters.
This reminds me of an incident where a sheeple, aka Defender/8 votes called a politician “a confused negro” then subsequently denied it. However, it was taped and went viral on You Tube. It was then removed, but not before being copied by several people and is now an object of ridicule. Primarily because the remarks were initially denied.
The house n***** comment was made on public radio and also recorded.
In spite of video cams, telephone cams etc, these people continue to utter stupid remarks in PUBLIC. And gullible people continue deny it all!
typo– *continue to deny*
The negro of which you speak is still confused. Did you listen to him in the House yesterday. He is confused, Craig, the Colt is confused, as is Bob the Snob. In fact the whole OBA/UBP is confused and they are confusing the people.
Oh My God……you are a sick sick individual Laverne Furbert. You are a disgrace and are dsgusting. How dare you.
The only people who are confused are YOUR people! Ewart’s PLP/BIU Party do not have a clue how to dig themselves out of the hole they keep digging.
They should have followed the ‘Rule Of Holes:’ When you are in one, quit digging.
She did not, your interpretation of what she said, is incorrect. But as normal OBA/UBP always attempt to measure your behaviours by other persons. THis is not a mature approach at all.
Paula Cox called herself a “cog” end of story!
This is easy for the sheeple to confirm if they would make the effort to fact check.
That is exactly what she said.
Yes she did, you are a liar.
I agree. It is disrespectful to the Office that she holds.
If she showed some respect for “the office” and did her job professionally, we might respect her more. Respect is earned.
I remember a show called “Eight Is Enough”.
Laverne, I know you don’t like to let facts come into it very often, but the reference to the “Cog” comes from Paula Cox herself, who described herself as a “Cog in the wheel”, powerless to make any real decisions about Finance (even though she was in fact the Finance Minister).
So the use of the name “Cog” is one which the Premier dreamt up all by herself, and which many people are willing to use, because it neatly sums up how -er – well she has done.
On the other hand, the other names you suggest here were made up childishly, and for no reason other than to reduce the level of debate.
The term “The Colt” comes from Bob Richards. He was the one who described Craig Cannonier as a “colt”. As for “Bob the Snob”, his peers from high school gave him that name years ago and nothing has changed. He is still “Bob the Snob” to many of us.
They did not brand themselves as those names, the COG was given by Paula Cox. Abot Paula Cox. I could call you a halfwit, but that does not mean that people should call you halfwit because I called you it. You need to call yourself a name for it to have credibility in future use.
Lavern,what are you peers saying about you ? and exactly how long were you a senator ?and what were your fellow senators saying about you ?
So whats yah nik name LaVerne.
Furbert the turbot
Lavern,Paula Cox said”SHE WAS ONLY A COG IN THE WHEEL’ she said it herself…. she also made a comment that she felt ‘politically neutered regarding the four uighurs !!!!do not worry about Bob the snob, or Cannonier the colt…. they are not in charge of this Island !!! but the poor PREMIER AS SHE SAID IS POLITICALLY NEUTERED !!!! and in my humble opinion means she has no balls …
Pepper I beg to differ . The Premier has balls enough to smash both Terry Listers’ and De Kernals’ . As for Lavern Eight is Enough votes for her . No need to watch another episode of that .
@LaVerne if Paula doesn’t like her self proclaimed nick-name, then maybe, she should tell us why she as keeper of the public purse felt that she was just a “cog in the wheel”, “a pawn”, “used”?
The point here is that the G’ment has borrowed so much that they no longer have the ability to re-pay without borrowing. They are holding the island and people of Bermuda as collateral, collateral that they represent (and not own).. Maybe they should put theirs own houses up! I bet not!!!!
Wouldn’t it be nice if the ability to rase the debt limit needed to be put to referendum. What a different picture we would see!
As I said in a previous post…the new “Race Card” is the “Un-Patriotic” Card. If you critisize the PLP…you are ctitisizing Bermuda…ergo you are un-patriotic. I’ll tell you what is un-patriotic…blowing up Bermuda’s economy, overspending and increasing debt to never-before-seen-levels! Now that’s un-patriotic!!!
Stop talking so uneducated, and make some sense. Debate the issues and stop spinning out the rhetoric….Are you capable of a higher level of discourse??
Oh brother – that is ‘special’.
PLP made recession.Nothing to do with what is happening in the outside world.
Investment? How can that be an investment; when we the tax payers are paying out interest payments that are compounded daily?
Negative return and a diminishing principal, some investment.
Wait! We had to deceive you!
@Curious George says…..You seem to deceive yourself everyday….thinking that the OBA/UBP are a great party. Wow wake up there young man.
I shouldn’t, but I have to.
I honestly don’t know if the OBA is a great party.
What I do know, through watching what they have done through the years they have been in power, is that the PLP is horrendous as running the country. They had they’re shot at it. They’ve clearly done a lousy job… just the fact that Bermuda is as much in debt as it is proves this point. It’s time for change.
The PLP like any government are not perfect, but they have accomplish much in their short 13 years of governance, than the 30 years of OBA/UBP rule. What did they do to build our infrastructure or social development, little at best.
They certainly did accomplish much, if you consider losing one thousand million dollars ‘much’ and ‘short 13 years’??? it was painful girl, long drawn out and embarrassing.
Do you realise we have some of the top performing businessmen and international companies on the planet in our midst? They had to bear witness to this humiliating economic amateur hour. Honestly,..if the PLP members don’t get back in, will you be giving them a job? Truthfully! If so what will be the job.
They did some good things. The had some good ideas. But generally, it’s an overwhelming No. They were in power in the richest period of Bermuda’s history. Did they put money in the piggy bank? No. Did they improve Bermuda’s education system? No. The money went elsewhere…and now…it’s gone. Furthermore, stop lumping the UBP into the OBA. We have a two party system end of story. Change of political parties, change of leadership is good for democracy. Plain and simple. If OBA gets in, its keeps PLP on their toes for the next time around. They certainly aint on their toes now.
Your last two post have been rather weak.
Strong kool-aid makes for weak posts.
Starman…..you are weak on a daily basis. Never contributing anything worth debating about. Your strongest weaponin your book, is “name-calling”. Weak at best, and weakest form of debating.
SG4Y , Please give an analogy ?
Name calling??! You mean talking truth.
On what planet does our Premier live. When I want to use my already full credit card, the bank doesn’t consider the balance as investment so maybe she better educate the rest of the financial world. It is an investment for the lender and not the borrower, which is what Bermuda is. She surely has a way with words.
I apply two basic rules of thumb when thinking about debt.
1. It is OK to borrow for projects that will increase in value.
– For example, student loans can make sense if further education will result in a higher income.
– New cars lose value quickly, so it’s much better to pay cash.
– Similarly, improvements in the airport (see point 2) might improve tourism for years while consulting arrangements or vague new initiatives might leave nothing of lasting value.
2.Borrowing for large capital projects (e.g. incinerator, or Berkeley) is reasonable because it shares the up-front cost with the future generations who will benefit.
– Put differently, it wouldn’t be fair to raise taxes on an elderly woman to pay (up-front) for a national swimming centre that will last for 40 years. Her grandchildren will swim in the pool, so it’s fair that they should contribute to the loan repayments once they start working.
– On the flip-side, however, those same grandchildren shoulder the burden of wasteful spending related to capital projects.
Before the global recession started, Bermuda created its own problems by borrowing money to cover day-to-day expenses. It was as if the government started to charge the rent, groceries, cruise tickets, and new iPhones to a credit card, while only paying the minimum each month. Sometimes folks are pushed to the wall and borrow to make ends meet, but they know it’s a bad thing and don’t go around calling it investment or stimulus.
Bermuda is still borrowing to cover its days to day expenses. It is not an investment. You expect to see returns on an investment. I only see costs from her previous borrowings, show me the profit.
Andrew,
Mistake #1, Listening to Bob Richards.
The Government did not need to borrow for day to day expenses until AFTER the recession started. From 1998 until 2008 there were surpluses on the current account.
Please don’t believe the hype from Bob, do your OWN research.
Surpluses up to 2008? In your dreams.
Wrong, Voice of reason, you are a liar.
@Hmmmm ………………..Voice of Reason is correct, so accept the truth. Mr. Richards is attempting and working hard at spinning the date. So wake up and read the facts as they are. Come on OBA/UBP bloggers you go to be honest and have stronger debate of the facts than this.
Voice Of Reason, and SpecialGirl….”there were surpluses until 2008″?
Oh really.
In 2006 the defect was $102.8m.
In 2007 the defect was $130.9m.
Got anything else?
As said, SpecialGirl and Voice of reason are liars.
Voice of Reason,
I suppose Bob Richards does constantly discuss the gap between current revenue and current expenses so it is tempting to tune out the messanger and the message.
However, the very fact that we spend more than we earn isn’t hype or contraversial news. The numbers can be presented without comment. I wanted to double check my numbers so I downloaded the consolidated fund financial statements for the past couple of years from the auditor general’s website (http://www.oagbermuda.gov.bm/). Even back in 2006 our current expenses exceded our current revenue, though I would be a happy to look at the numbers you are refering to.
If we step back for a moment, though, we should realize that focusing on the exact size of the deficit or timing of the budget shortfalls misses the point entirely.
In the years before the global financial crisis, Bermuda experienced two hard markets in the insurance industry and participated in the bull market in equities. Insurance is a cyclical industry with feasts followed by hunger then famine that can last for over a decade. The WTC attack in 2001 and the hurricanes in 2005 (notably Katrina) allowed Bermuda to feast twice in five years.
Bermuda generated so much unexpected revenue during this period that it is odd to note that we spent that windfall almost immediately.
I get the sense that within Cabinet, Paula Cox, doesn’t receive or accept much input on finance policy. Someone made the point to me that the premier “…gets finance, but doesn’t understand economics.” There is a lot of truth in that. Paula Cox persuasively advocates for Solvency II equivalence (a big deal in the insurance world) and ensures that senior actuaries get work permits. At the same time, Paula seems detached from the unintended (but sometimes predictable) consequences of her government’s policies on the broader economy and community.
As government leader, finance minister, and PLP party leader, Paula has a monopoly on the whole domain of finance and economics. If she says that overspending is “investment” or blames our weakened financial position on “turmoil in Europe”, no one will disagree. She may muddle along, but the lack of credible alternate voices talking about the country’s finances should raise all kinds of red flags.
You mean credible alternate voices like Bob Richards, Craig Simmons, Sir John Swan, Larry Burchall… to name but a few. Are you deaf Andrew?
I think he meant credible alternate voices from within the current government/PLP.
My recollection is that in 1997 we had FULL employment,soaring opportunities, bank loans,and the national debt was ZERO. By 2004 it was 160 million, 2008-345 million, 2010-679 million
and in 2012 it’s anybody’s guess over one thousand million and rising. How is it you see something positive here?
The Premier said it herself “I’m just a Cog in the wheel” then gets on tv saying she never said it! Does she think people are stupid? I guess she does.. I wonder what math school she went to cuz she always gets her figures wrong!
@Cancer, you are the “POLICTICAL COG” for the OBA/UBP, the biggest coward hiding out in cyber-space, spinning out nonsense that is so sad. Working hard to paint a negative picture of the Government, but you fail at all attempts.
You spin lies SpecialGirl, lie after lie. You are a liar. You claim Cox never refered to herself as a Cog in the wheel, you tslk of surpluses when there were in fact deficits. You are a liar. Noone believes your nonsense. You are done, washed up and over. The PLP can quit paying you. We all know who you really are.
HMMMMMM…..stop trying to defense the negative behaviours of Cancer and the rest of the OBA/UBP fans. You need to stop and face the facts, and stop attempting to share “mis-information” in a mad attempt to spin persons to vote for the OBA/UBP. You sound like you’re so frustrated, that you are now attempting to use the oldest and weakest form of debate, that is to demean your opponent by any means necessary. But, in real debate one presents facts and sticks to the issue. This you fail to do every time.
Lying is a negative behavior and you are th absolute person to complain about others demeaning ppl
SpecialGirl you are the WEAKEST form of debate. It is all one sided, without admission that your bankrollers the PLP have and continue to be a disaster. The UBP needed to be hoofed out in 1998 and the PLP need to be hoofed out now. The OBA are not the UBP …. Live with it. Bermuda has a much better option available today than what the PLP can dream to offer. It won’t always be that way. The PLO dhould have gone at the last election, but for their vile fearmongering and race hatred would have been. The PLP needs to lean house and come back with a new direction in the future.If you can’t see that, then you are BLIND.
Specialgirl, now you’re sounding DESPERATE! And you should be!! BWAA-HA-HA-Ha-Ha!!
Look whose calling names now!! Specialgirl, you are a PLP/BIU/EBP hypocrite!
All
Generally speaking, a financial investment represents a capital outlay (cash) with expected increased financial returns at a future date (increased cash).
In the instance of Bermuda, the current investment includes at least the following items – Cedarbridge (started by UBP but part of the current debt outstanding), Berkeley, the incinerator improvements, Dockyard Pier, Port Royal Golf Course, Sylvia Richardson Rest Home, Dame Browne Evans complex, Perimeter Lane Housing complex, Anchorage Housing complex, fast ferries, new bus fleet, the New Berleley school, TCD and emissions centers east and west to name a few (these are all hard assets).
You can then add some soft investments including day care assistance, Bda College fees, Pension Fund top ups, loan forgiveness to BHC, Day Care subsidies etc that represent some of the soft investments in our people.
The expected returns will come from the actual use of the structures (reduced rents for the new Dame Browne Evans building) PGA revenues from Port Royal etc etc. One of the key investments is in fact the Dockyard pier. Without it, just imagine where we would be without the ability to bring in the cruise ships!!
As always, many will disagree with my comments but the facts remain that there have been some significant investments in our future by the PLP that have been both practical and necessary. What I will agree is that some of them could have been paced better but they are here.
Cedarbridge…….. Would have been paid off in 2000 ( part of the 200 million cap set by UBP)
Berkeley……………. Would be nice if the BIU’s guarantee was paid and it was completed on time and on budget (or at least close)
the incinerator improvements……. And the piles of trash at George’s bay ( Hunts trucks were Busy)
Dockyard Pier, …. Is that the one that was waaaaaaaay over budget and then damaged by the 1st storm. We are still waiting to see the report on reason of the damage (rumor says inferior concrete)
Port Royal Golf Course….. Yes for the PGA which has cost more than it brings in… GREAT investment!!
Dame Browne Evans complex….. There are lots of unanswered questions…… Not least of wich is… WHO are the trust members! Why were the contractors fired when they questioned impropper pracrIces
Fast ferries. But neglected to train staff to repair the drive systems and purchase parts (persons are imported to do routine maintenance)
new bus fleet…..nwhen they are working… Don’t get me on public transport!!!
the New Berleley school,….. See above ( and a house on lighthouse hill)
TCD and emissions centers east and west… All I can say is OVER BUDGET and MISSMANAGED
These are hard assets… Yes some…. I would not consider a fleet of busses and ferries that are suffering from lack of maintenance an asset. The problem is that these assets cost the country far more that they should have, far more that their value…
These are all great examples of poor management of the public purse…
That seems to be reverse logic. I’m no financial expert but anyone with half a brain can see there is no way that massive debt can be considered as an investment, no matter what capital projects it financed. An investment is expected to return dividends, it makes money for you. A debt accrues interest and the debt plus interest must be paid back, it costs you money, the exact opposite of an investment.
@ star man
2 questions.
1 – If you borrow money at age 50 (a mortgage) to buy a house to live in, is it an investment or debt?
2 – Assuming the house has an apartment and you have a 30 year old child, should the mortgage period be 15 years (until you reach 65) or longer (i.e. your child as co owner gets to pay the mortgage beyond your retirement years).
Vote For Me:
Two answers.
1. It would not be sensible to borrow $1,000,000 on a credit card, unsecured on anything, to spend on groceries, travel, parties, cars, and wages for unneeded staff around the house. That’s what we’re doing.
2. Nobody in their right mind would borrow $1,000,000 with the thought “I’ll never be able to pay this back, but it isn’t a problem if I saddle my kids with this huge debt. Never mind the fact that it will keep them in poverty for their entire lives.”
All these years the PLP have been blaming the debt on the Global Recession has been another deception. People have been misled. It turns out the increase in debt was deliberate and planned as an investment for the future. The PLP have shown what incredible financial wizards they are. What other Government around the world has taken credit for debt that has crippled them? Greece, Italy, Spain and others need to pay attention to Paula Cox then they and their populations would also realize that the debt that has crippled them turns out to be an investment for the future. The world weill be a happier place on Monday when this news is announced.
Hey hey the Premier is not an idiot – she’s just a dreamer. Have some respect!
When is the Premier going to wake up from her dream ? because I am having freaking nightmares……
@Cancer…… you continue to sit there from cyber-space and lynching at the Premier. You are a coward, which makes no worthwhile contribution to Bermuda. Instead, you play the dangerous game of name-calling and lynching. Sad indeed that is your only recourse. Look in the mirror often the biggest idiots are those that call others such names.
God – I wish I could ‘invest’ 1.2 billion and get negative return on my money and call it an investment. What the hell kind of nonsense is this?
It takes about a half hour to read this thread. During this half hour the INTEREST on The Cogs ‘investment’ cost us over $4000.00.
Some ‘investment’!
the first comment about says it all.
@Triangle Drifter ……The name Cog is more befitting for you, as you sit there and act in such a distasteful manner on behalf of the OBA/UBP. Are you the Cog that is attempting to spin out negative comments as a political strategy for the OBA/UBP? You are sure one of the biggest OBA/UBP cogs in the wheel for political strategy of the OBA/UBP. Keep on as you are not able of doing or acting any different or better, this level of debate is what OBA/UBP are only able to interact in.
Oh my God, you are still at your pathetic nonsense, OBA are not UBP, it is a very different party. Next you’ll be telling us that Cox never said that she was a Cog in the wheel and that we had surpluses when in fact we had deficits. Oh you already did that didn’t you. Pathetic.
The debt represents an investment in Stupidity^^
I agree with you Graeme.
@Graeme Outerbridge ….Stupidity is your inability to understand the INvestments. The UBP/OBA did nothing to improve the instructure of Bermuda, nor did they invest in the people. Every country makes such investments for the future of their country.
OBA have never been in power. Don’t you get it, or are you simple.
OBA are the UBP, with only a different name. So who is Mr.Richards and others MPs referring to when they state; “we did this in 1996″? who are we? We is those UBP MPs that were in the house, and are still in the house with a different name, or should I say a revised name OBA/UPB.
Wrong, they are completely different, and you are still a LIAR.
There you go again, SG, calling Graeme stupid!! That’s name-calling. I don’t do that! Got that.
How could the OBA improve the “instructure” (sic) of Bermuda when they haven’t even been the Gov’t?!
Well the PLP certainly can only do so now by borrowing. Government is broke. Time for change.
According to “Bob the Snob”, “the ship of state needs a change – a change of skipper…” “That Change, “Mr. Speaker, must be the One Bermuda Alliance team lead by the Hon. Craig Cannonier, Leader of the Opposition, as our captain”.
So, “Bob the Snob” has recognised that “Craig the Colt” is a better leader that he could ever be.
I’m hoping that “Bob the Snob” can tell the people of Bermuda how “Craig the Colt” got to be “The Hon. Craig Cannonier”.
“Bob the Snob” questions why the Government didn’t start talks with unions earlier. At least the Premier had a conversation with the Unions. Did “Bob the Snob” or “Craig the Colt” ever have a conversation with the Unions? I think not.
By the way, I see that “Craig the Colt” actually spoke in Parliament today. Maybe it was because “Bob the Snob” fed him some oats”.
Lavern, have you ever met Bob ? he is not a snob,he is a very caring and intelligent man….I do not know why you post these disgusting posts… but we are fed up with your hate posts…Lavern you need to be on prozak…
Just ignore her and she’ll go back under her bridge.
Some would not be able to recognise intelligence if it slapped them in the face. Bob Richards is an intellegent man. Through his education & associations he rubs shoulders with many other intelligent people. Snobbery should not be confused with intelligence. If you want to see an example of snobbery look no further than the former Premier.
Touché!
Did you know that smoking causes cancer and other disgusting and incurable diseases . Also it ( smoking ) makes ones breath and cloths smell absolutely horrible .
An unhealthy body makes for an unhealthy brain .
Nice one Laughvan…very good, you come up with that on your own or did Wince write it for you?
…did you mean “Lo-Verne”? I have been reading the former Senator’s comments for several months now and feel that she can hold her own but this childish name calling is indeed a new LOW…
Your thoughts on the debt and its repayment LF?
Spend and spin at work again
LaVerne, LaVerne… between you and Marc Bean…. the PLP is represented well!
I think these two need to take a drug test….
Yes we all want that to happen.
I’m going to try that line with HSBC when I run up my credit card with no way of paying it off…
Debt can represent investment, yes… when you have something tangible to show for it and have a way of actually financing your investments…
Running a household budget that is in the red without the means to repay is not an ‘investment’, it’s mismanagement.
She can not be serious!!!
At this point, as my friend says, “I’ll vote for a giraffe as an alternative” to what we have now.
Hurry up with this election.
Mr Cannioner stands next to MR Richards, like a hopeless “colt”. Not able to make a worthwhile contribution to the discussion on the news. He is just a figure head. He seem not to understand most of what was being said. The silent leader continues to play an insignificant role. Mr Richards appeared somewhat confused and fall over his own words. OBA/UBP are fighting to look for reasons, but yet still failed to provide any real solutions.
On matters of finance the Party spokesperson is usually the Minister or Shadow Minister. (happens worldwide) Therefore, Cannonier should simply allow Richards to speak on the subject, which is the correct procedure.
Cox holds two positions(Premier and Finance Minister) and therefore is front and center when dealing with Government financial matters.
Quite the norm really!
Really SpecialGirl, you’re barking at shadows. Pathetic.
SG
Oh just shut up. your rants are retarded. all you do is attack a comment with completely made up BS. I dont know if OBA (not UBP. get it through your thick skull.) are any better, but its time for a damn change! SG. seriously. do yourself a favour and cancel your internet subscripion. its better to have people think you are an idiot than to…go on you’re internet and post on bernews and confirm it.
That is all…
waiting for the next Idiot retarded BS that this person comes up with.
rant over
“Mr Richards appeared somewhat confused and fall over his own words.”…Really, has anyone listened to the Deputy Minister talking about ‘pacific’ things when he means to be speaking of “specific” things…please what an embarrassment for Bermuda.
Seriously, what world does the PLP Premier live in?
Max out one credit card??? No problem…go get another one. Max that one out too??? Still no problem. Go get another.
Who lives like that? Not you or I. $200,000 per day to service the debt. The debt is headed for $2B. It is real money. Money that the people of Bermuda owe.
That is about $3 per day EACH for the interest, $1,100.00 a year each. & near enough $30,000.00 EACH is owed on the principle debt.
In 1998 that debt was only $2,400.00 each.
Have you had enough of the PLP experiment Bermuda?
@Specialgirl4you you may not realize it but your embarrassing yourself.
What a joke, to see plp being defended here just reinforces the fact that
some people are plain stupid. It should be one brain one vote.
Ps Specialgirl4you please don’t bother.
I cannot be embarrassing myself if I am only pointing out the real facts, fairness, and pushing for a higher level of discourse. It is Interesting that you do not label or view the OBA/UBP fans in the same light. So if this is the case those OBA/UBP fans that post daily and every minute for example Cancer, Triangle Drifter, HMMMM….must also be the biggest embarrassment to the OBA/UBP as well. It is evident that they are defending the actions of their political party as a form of stupidity as well? Or is this just applied to individuals that defend the PLP? They do not make any worthwhile contribution to the debate. Frequently, they only use name-calling and pointless presentation to debate an issue. I would suggest that is a major form of self-embarrassment. Please apply it to your OBA/UBP fans.
We are voters, not OBA PLP or otherwise, we are free to vote for who we choose. Perhaps you are paid by the PLP to spread your malicious lies. You have lied repeatidly and on many occassions in this thread. I am for Bermuda and Bermudians, I am not a fan or member of the OBA, the PLP, the UBP or any of the independents. Your debasing propaganda and lies disgust me. Please do not pretend that you are debating issues, as you are not.
SG, your library of misinformation seems boundless.
This statement proves my point, or are you taking the piss out of the plp.
This government worked hard towards building the instructure and social development of Bermuda. What a great investment for future generations.
I get it Specialgirl4you is really an OBA MP. Damn brilliant.
Specialgirl take those blinders off. Everyone is telling you the same thing. Don’t you get it?
@familiar – I like that “failure to be consistent in your opinion simply makes you look as if you’re spouting information handed to you rather than actually having an opinion of your own.” thats specialgirl for sure – always contradicting herself I guess thats what blind loyalists do.
reading through 150+ comments, my only comment is the following:
I am really afraid of the Bermudian society’s reaction in general if the PLP is re-elected. a lot of hate from partisans on both sides.
We don’t ‘hate’ Ewart’s PLP/BIU Party, we are disgusted with them, and want them to get out of Dodge. We simply cannot afford these jokers. They were a much better Opposition.
Poor Madame Cog – she’s in dreamland! Shame how the PLP have broken all records
Premier Brown – worse Premier in Bermuda’s history
Premier Cog – worse finance minister in Bermuda’s history
PLP – worse political ruling party in Bermuda’s history
PLP – best political opposition – where they belong!
@Robb – actually I couldnt give much credit to the UBP and the national stadium. That is a fiasco. However under the PLP government the fiasco still continues. Thirteen years and counting and still a long way from being finished. The OBA will have that stadium completed within the first three years of their government.
a vote for the PLP or OBA keeps us on the Plantation, so vote UBP!
with such limited choices Bermy is ———d !
can someone lend me $8,000 i need to invest in a trip to new york and a bike to take me to unemployment.
SpecialGirl4You…. Okay, you’re a tad tiring, but I’ll try again.
I am well aware of all the things that need to be considered when making one’s decision, but quite frankly, if I went into all the details no one would read my posts, including you, because they’d be incredibly long.
I am not say, nor have I ever said, that the PLP is to blame for the entirety of the situation at hand, what I have been saying is that they have done nothing that has successfully made things better for anyone on this island but themselves, or their friends and family, and they have successfully made things worse.
Yes, the economic climate is different, and they were in power during the change. However, they were completely unprepared and unable to move with things. They seemed to have their own agenda which they stuck to regardless of what was going on in the business and economic climate both worldwide and what would immediately effect our small island.
I will say that there has seemed to be some change since Ms Cox has been in office, but the majority of it has been a knee jerk reactions instead of well thought out plans for Bermuda’s future. This is not a successful way to run any country, which is why I think we need change, both the country and the PLP party as a whole. The same as the UBP needed change when they were voted out. Times have changed, fresh blood and fresh thinking are needed.
I don’t have a problem with Premier’s holding other ministries under their belts. I do have a problem with the Premier holding the Ministry of Finance position. No one person should have the appearance of holding both the power and the purse strings and I don’t care what party is in power, to do so is just plain wrong.
Are there good people in the PLP? Most certainly there are, the same as I am quite certain there are some self serving, wrong minded and incapable people inthe OBA and the UBP. It is the nature of politics, I’m afraid. The problem occurs when the numbers of the incapable and wrong minded outweigh the good, which is the position I believe the PLP are presently in.
Did the UBP have cronyism as well? Yup, you bet they did, and a certain amount of that is to be expected. However, either the UBP we’re exceptional at hiding it or, as I believe, the damage caused, the borderline illegalities, and the outright theft were no where near what has happened within the PLPs reign.
And it’s okay, I understand if you can’t wrap your head around someone actually choosing to vote for the individual candidates and not the party. It seems to be a frighteningly common problem in Bermuda.
@ SGFU: Are you a Bermudian? Is English your native language? You don’t write as if it is. You also don’r debate logically, and you denigrate those who disagree with you. Although you ask for a higher level of debate and that others stick to the point, you can’t seem to follow your own advice. Pathetic level of discourse!! Please stop.
romney is an idiot. gingrich is an idiot. santorum is an idiot. ron paul is the only non-idiot. do your research on sites other than cnn and fox etc. check RT. neways, plp vs oba blah blah all the same round the world and nothing will change. only something like the french revolution changed things. and even in these times, we’ve let gov get to big for themselves and now they need us more than we need them….
How can you say this? Surely with what our trusted and beloved politicians have been doing has only been to benefit us all! Our future is secure with only $1.2 billion of debt. Chicken feed compared to some of the big countries around the world. I mean come on Bermuda what’s $20,000 each to clear our books? I’m sure we can all afford to pay our country’s creditors if we only chip in together. Ooh, I have another idea, why don’t we raise taxes, pass legislation that forces any foreign company to pay $1million each and charge a “non-Bermudian fee” of $50 for every arrival on the island? Surely this would help relieve our debt and create a community feel that is so sorely lacking.
Who needs these foreigners anyway? I mean the cruise ship tourists are ok, they buy t-shirts and burgers; but who needs the tax income on million dollar salaries and the money they spend on living here? I wouldn’t want to be able to rent out my property for $15,000, what’s the point? Pay off my mortgage? Send my kids to Harvard? Philanthropy is overrated too. I’d much rather buy $100,000 BMW’s and $20,000 rims. A much more sound investment than my children!
I mean, it’s not like it’s us who’s going to suffer right? We can all swan off to Martha’s Vineyard or Dominican Republic to live in our large estates there. They really appreciate us Bermudians treating their island like one large brothel; after all, it was our ancestors who suffered before so why not subject another people to a subservient existence. The young people will be responsible for paying off any outstanding debt that remains after my plans have been implemented. Thank God for the gangs cause without them, when we went independent we wouldn’t have the weapons to protect ourselves. Come to think of it, why not take a leaf from Somalia’s book and rediscover our piracy heritage. What’s the worst that could happen….
Debt is indeed a useful financial tool – and one that when used efficiently can result in higher future positions than only investing with what one has to hand. But none of the PLP’s borrowing has been driven by the principles of what debt is there to enable.
Debt should be taken against specific projects with a clear view to future benefit. So take out debt to build an apartment complex – with a plan in place to use the sales or rent from that to pay it off in the future – simples.
Debt shouldn’t be used to pay your day to day bills – which is what the PLP are doing with it. Debt REALLY shouldn’t be used to pay your interest bills from past debt.
The beauty of debt, however, is that by the time the proverbial crows come home to roost, Paula will be nowhere near the offices that to pay it. Nor, one imagines, will most of the current PLP power base.
Finally, I hate to make assertions, but given the lack of cohesion, dodging of facts and so forth – isn’t ‘SpecialGirl4U’ just Vance with a new moniker? I’d be very surprised if not.
I’d like to let posters on here know a bit of truth, in case they didn’t know. During a previous election, the PLP PAID foreign consultants to impersonate Bermudians on a youth blog and basically stir the sh*t up. Given the nature of Vance/SG4U etc’s postings I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if it turns out this is still going on. So please, don’t treat them as an actual Bermudian who wants to discuss facts – you’ll just be disappointed.
The debt is a worthwhile investment in Bermuda’s future, that UBP/OBA never did do. They only invested OBA/UBP did was to ensure building their own personal business. No care for the people of Bermuda. This government worked hard towards building the instructure and social development of Bermuda. What a great investment for future generations
Please explain how the OBA never invested in Bermuda’s future? When were they the Government as this is a part of Bermuda’s history I haven’t read about or heard? The UBP is still a party, even though several members joined the PLP – in fact the elected UBP ex leader is the Minister of Tourism as it appears there was no one else capable of handling that portfolio. Please get your facts right before posting.
It seems to me, as a layperson, that during the UBP reign, Bermuda was booming. We had good tourism figures, no unemployment to speak of, were liked by international business and had no debt.
During the PLP, Bermuda has been in a free fall. Tourism has all but died, unemployment is steadily growing, we have lost most of the IB sector and have a debt that is increasing at a frightening rate.
Even if I give you the statement “This government worked hard towards building in(fra)structure and social development of Bermuda,” as true, the PLP has still earned a failing grade.
Can we really afford to give them another chance?
“Special” is a good name for you.
UBP Investment in Bermuda’s future:
National Stadium
Duck’s Puddle housing
Social Insurance
Hospital insurance
Frog lane housing
Rock away housing
All schools and Government buildings maintained properly, none allowed to fall down and go to ruin.
Cedar bridge Academy
Tyne’s Bay Incinerator
Others might remember other things but I think the readers get the jist that the UBP Government invested for the Bermuda people, AND we’re able to BALANCE the BUDGET!!!
So why haven’t we borrowed much more…..you talk smack and BS. It is a burden to be carried by Bermuda for many many years. Paula C knows little about finance, at a very basic level, can the Cog provide a payback period. Hell no, because it will frighten the life out of the voters and she will be out in the street.
You ARE joking, right?!! Jeebus! it’s “Infrastructure.” Get a dictionary.
“Special” Girl4you. The clue is in your name – you are really special if you believe what you are typing here. Are you mad? Or are you Paula’s virtual pseudonym?
The REALITY is the huge debt. That’s not an investment at all – investments pay off in the future. This DEBT will BURDEN BERMUDA’S FUTURE GENERATIONS. Sorry for “shouting” – just trying to get through to you there.
The world outside Bermdua has grasped the need to reduce debt, not increase it when times are hard. Paula and her cohorts should be held to account for the rape of Bermuda’s finances – not just the recent past, but for the unknown future where actual debt $ repayments will be needed to service debt with projections that have been made through a crystal ball. Now that’s what I call “special” if you actually believe that nonsense you wrote.
OBA is the UBP, with sheep skin on. THe same MPs, members, supporters. Stop pretending there is a major shift or different. Wake up and stop fooling yourself…..OBA/UBP…Look at Kim Swan…..
@ Familiar…..Please sounds like you’re lacking in knowledge. Times have changed. The Era in which you speak about is gone. So you expect things to be the same today almost 25 years later. Tourism and world all over, has changed. Stop attempting to suggest that the comparison of yesterday is still expected today. You must examine things in the context of the world economy and changes of today.
PLP are working hard. in their short 13 years of government, in comparisons to the OBA/UBPs 30 plus years, they have done more. There was no investment by the OBA/UBP in Bermuda’s Infrastructure…..no investment in its people. Such a conservative government, and still is. This government has done well and will continue to do so.
This PLP…No… A future PLP, I can see that happening.
You sound like a ditz. The OBA has never been in power. Yet.
Enjoy poverty.
SoecialGirl, if “the era” he speaks about “has gone”, and it’s not valid to talk about the way things were 25 years ago, then does that mean you, LaVerne, and Trident / Vance will stop bringing up stuff about the 1980s, the 1960s, and the days of slavery?
Because if you must examine things in the context of the world economy and changes of today.
SG4Y , Please give an Analogy , PLEEZE . Waiting for it .
Specialgirl4you… First off, if you’re going to post, try to be consistent, to bring up the past in one thread as appropriate, and then decide in another that you can’t look to the past for your information, failure to be consistent in your opinion simply makes you look as if you’re spouting information handed to you rather than actually having an opinion of your own.
I am not suggesting at all that things should be as they were in the past, I am clearly stating that the UBP did a far better job at running the country than the PLP has.
I had no problem when they got into office and made their initial mistakes as they were unfamiliar with the responsibilities and complexities of running a country and were due their time in office to find their footing.
That time is long since over and Bermuda has very little to show on the positive side for their efforts. They, being the powers that be within the PLP party, have a great deal to show.
My comparison was solely to point out the fact that during the UBP reign, Bermuda and Bermudians, were in a far, far better position all around, than we have been taken to by the PLP.
I agree, in the PLP’s 13 years, they have accomplished a great deal more, however, none of it is something to be proud of. We have a huge debt, unemployment, violence, lower education standards, and a wider racial divide than before they took office. We have a premier, who very well spoken, uses it, not to educate Bermudians, but to talk circles around them. We have a premier who is also the minister of finance which is both ethically and morally unconscionable. We have a government who not only refuses to amend antiquated human rights laws, but actively enact new laws to add to the present violations against human rights.
I’ve had enough of this nonsense. I would like my country to have a government that cares about the country and it’s people, ALL it’s people, and will work towards the betterment of both.
Now, that said. I don’t vote party. I vote for who I believe is the person in my constituency who cares the most about this country, it’s people, and I have seen, with my own two eyes, and heard, with my own two ears, them actively work in the best interest of both. That, in all my years of voting, those people have not been part of the PLP is not my fault, it happens to be the fault of the PLP.
Should things continue to follow course then large corporations will look to maintain their holding company here (tax benefit) while moving staff elsewhere. To a certain extent it has already started. Now as Bermuda does not tax income and if their employees leave what does that do to the pay roll tax revenue…it disappears. Then should they add an income tax to recover the shortfall what happens…the companies leave…no money for anyone. Some investment!
You forgot to mention a stable economy with no unemployment. There would have been no Exodus of companies if a little diplomacy and Decently been applied, but no, we had people like Col.Burch and Dr.Brown with their ulterior motives, which cost this country and her people dearly.
@ Robb
Please check to see how each of these initiatives were started, especially the Social Insurance debate.
You hit the nail on the head in regards to the Premier talking in circles. I think that sums her up in a nutshell.
@ Familiar
Was there evar a UBP Premier that also acted as Minister of Finance?
Also, you say you vote for the individuals that represent the constituency the best. Can you honestly say that over your years of voting that not one of the PLP candidates have represented an excellent option as an elected representative? What constituency do you live in and how long have you been voting??
Contrary to what many PLP die hards would have u believe, there are MANY Bermudians, REGARDLESS OF OUR OWN COLOUR, that would have absolutely no problem voting PLP if they were doing a good job. But they haven’t, so I won’t. It’s as simple as that.
WRONG, keep on spinning the lies, we all know it is a very different party.
Wrong, you are so wrong. You lie, lie lie and lie some more. You are fooling nobody but yourself you brainwashed fool. Your final paycheck from the PLP is coming soon. I looked at Kim Swan, and…….. Te OBA is still a very different collection of people, with a very different structure and very different philosophy. Trust me WHEN they get in power, I and many others will be giving them hell if they don’t perfom.
@ Familiar……One must examine the “economic climate” and issues within in the context of that time frame. In other words, the economic system is a particular kind of social system. Economic systems differ and change because of social and cultural forces, the level of economic development and various environmental forces. One must examine carefully what the economy was like during a specific time period that influences governmental decisions and plans, when comparing what a government did during that time frame. For example what was the economy like in 1996 in comparison to 2008-2012? One can clearly expect that a government policies and plans and will differ and the outcomes will also reflect that. So to say it was better in 1997, one must question and examine carefully what specific factors of the economy contributed to it perhaps being better or not so good?
‘What constituency do you live in and how long have you been voting?’ What? Who are you? Col.Burch?,Derek Burgess? That all sounds like the signs of witchhunt diktatorship root out the dirty traitor. He made his statement and his vote is by SECRET ballot! No he could not find an
“excellent” representative out of the one he was presented with cause Dale Butler was not running there.
Vote for Me… not to my knowledge but it’s possible. It doesn’t change my opinion on it being unethical and unconscionable.
Yes, I can say that in all my years of voting, near 30 now, that none of the PLP candidates in the constituency I was in I considered the best at the time. There have been, on a couple of occasions PLP candidates that I would have voted for but they were in other areas. I’m presently in 27 and have lived there for close to 15 years.
@Familiar…..was it both ethically and morally unconscionable to have a Premier who is also the Minister of Finance, during the UBP time in government? Many Ministers in the UBP held Premier as well as another ministry post. Some also had private business, and there was lots of cronyism that took place. In fact, little opportunity was afforded to the average person. Those opportunities were given to business friends and associates by members of the UBP. Please do not tell me that there are not good persons running for the PLP, as many have just said the opposite, and suggested that the PLP have more excellent candidates than the UBP/OBP. Let’s be careful, that you are not pointing out behaviours that reflect those of only the PLP, and not those of the OBA/UBP…..if not this suggest you are not fully informed correctly. However, sounds more like you have always supported the OBA/UBP…that okay, we all support one political party or another, just be real about it…
You insult a population of this community, you insult our IB Community constantly in the media mainly tv, you make policies that discriminate against our residents, you call people “house n******s” and “we don’t care what you think” you smuggle in detainees from Cuba, you target the business sector with escalating taxes, you have no account or paper trail for millions of dollars spent on projects, yes! definitely “cultural forces” in that “specific time period”
Ok economic climates in history….Try on this hat… 1970 (stop go), 1974-1975 (oil shock), 1980 (oil shock II), 1981-1982 (Volckler), 1990-1991 (Desert Storm). Three of those recessions had a much bigger impact on US GDP than this current recession.
Comparing now to 1996?
The govt debt total led $150m. We made more than we spent. Nil unemployment. No gun crime. Relative to now, quite a vibrant tourist industry. An economy that was trending up, not trending down.
We don’t all support one political party, another lie from SpecialGirl.
How much they paying you.
This is boring Spashall Gull.
Same sh!t differant day.
Almost 200 posts, same sh!t.
Divide and conquere.
Good job.
Now go eat green ham.