‘We Need A Responsible Path To The Future’
[Updated with video] Bermuda needs a sound economic plan that grows the economy, creates jobs, pays down our national debt, and supports critical government services, OBA candidate Andrew Simons said today.
Saying “let’s think beyond the next four weeks, and instead focus on the next 20 years,” Mr Simons asked what will the future be like for the young Bermudians of today.
Citing Government statistics, Mr Simons said the proportion of seniors, those 65 and older, will double from 11% of the population in 2000 to 22% in 2030.
Mr Simons said: “In the future, fewer workers will shoulder the costs of pensions, health subsidies, and social insurance benefits of more retirees. The cost pressures on the working population to make our society work will be more severe in the years ahead.”
Mr Simons’ full statement follows below:
Good morning,
On Tuesday, Alexis Swan, brought attention to the unemployment rate among young Bermudians. Almost four out of ten people between the ages of 16 and 24 are out of work.
On Wednesday, Nandi Davis reminded us that the Government’s 1.5 billion dollar debt is our debt. The country now borrows money to make payroll and keep the lights on.
Today, let’s think beyond the next four weeks, and instead focus on the next 20 years.
What will Bermuda be like in the year 2030? What will 2030 be like for the young Bermudians of today?
Demographic Transition
My great grandfather, Earlington Simons of Cedar Hill in Warwick, had eight children, my grandmother had four, and my father had just two.
People have fewer children these days.
We live longer too. My grandmother died at the age of 86.
Government statistics provide a fuller picture:
- The proportion of seniors, those 65 and older, will double from 11% of the population in 2000 to 22% in 2030.
- In the year 2000 five workers supported each child or senior who depends on social support for their well-being. In 2030, just two workers will.
In the future, fewer workers will shoulder the costs of pensions, health subsidies, and social insurance benefits of more retirees. The cost pressures on the working population to make our society work will be more severe in the years ahead.
The One Bermuda Alliance has clear plans to empower my generation to adapt to this transition.
Education
A One Bermuda Alliance government will implement a comprehensive education plan.
We will to ensure that people enter the work force equipped with the skills that employers need.
Jobs and Economy
No matter what the work, a worker’s most relevant education comes on the job.
The high unemployment rate for the 16-24 age group means that this generation is missing out on the essential skills developed in the first few years of work. It also means that Bermuda, relative to other countries that we compete with, is operating at a skills deficit.
The One Bermuda Alliance has a plan to get young Bermudians working.
Our jobs and economic recovery plan contains specific measures designed to grow the economy, create jobs, stimulate investment, and restore the confidence that is so essential for economic revival.
Economic growth created by the One Bermuda Alliance’s policies will mean a return to government surpluses, which will be used to pay down the national debt and to help pay for the social programmes necessary to support our aging population.
This week my fellow candidates and I have presented the three-pronged challenge of youth unemployment, uncontrolled debt, and demographic change.
It’s vital that everyone understands the challenges that my generation, and future generations, will face.
To address our future challenges, Bermuda needs a sound education plan that prepares Bermudians to participate in the economy.
Bermuda also needs a sound economic plan that grows the economy, creates jobs, pays down our national debt, and supports critical government services.
Those objectives can only be achieved by a government that keeps an eye on the road ahead, and prepares for the future by tackling issues today. The OBA will be that government.
We need to get on a new and more responsible path to the future. Vote for change.
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- Updated with amended statement at 11.26am
Mr Simons,
Though I commend you for your long statement you say NOTHING on the how, just say that you will.
It’s notable that Craig Cannonier is missing AGAIN. Is this guy even on Island?
I’m still bothered by Bob Richards comments the other day that the OBA has “Overseas Investment Partners Ready to Assist Bermuda”…. So they are holding out until after the election…. Waaay to put Bermuuda first OBA!
Yes Aye, Mr Simons referenced the OBA Plan, which you seem to want to read in detail.
Well, here it is:
http://www.oba.bm/index.php/our-plan
That OBA website has the UBP fingerprint all over it . I sniffed around the site and the UBP’s DNA is clear and ever present .
Too sensible to sniff of PLP.
Don’t be afraid of succesful people who want to work for Bermuda and make it a success for you and all Bermudians because that is their motivation. This PLP can’t put their mess right as they still think eveything is wonderful in Bermuda. They can’t admit failure in fiscal responsibility, education or otherwise. They have failed us, and their motivation is to keep their fat,not cut, paychecks perks ans secrets.
You act like they’re holding guns to the investors heads telling them don’t invest until we become government. Investors are business people with business sense and won’t invest in something that isn’t guarenteed, like an unstable economy. If you knew a hotel was being poorly managed would you invest your money into it just for that to be mismanaged too? I already know the answer, stop the spin it isn’t Bobs fault. I wouldn’t leave my hard earned money in the hands of somebody that said “I couldnt say no to the man”, feel me?
Whassup Yes Aye. I understand your viewpoint. However Im not sure that you have a full understanding of how an economy works especially a very small one like ours (if you do then please ignore my comments).
An economy is a business. Businesses only stay alive thru the nature of demand and supply. Economies are the same. So basically if you have no great product/service to offer. Then there are no buyers. And no income. You are in shut down mode. All Bermuda has to offer as a small economy trying to survive in the world economy, is certain laws, amenities, people, infrastructure, business environment and (welcoming)society, that may or may not be attractive to buyers (foreign investors). So basically with no foreign investors, there is no one to buy our ‘stuff’ and no income to filter through the economy. Hence it will shrink (as it is doing now seen through rampaging unemployment).
Seeking foreign investment is the “ONLY” way to put Bermuda first. Like it or not this little blip on a map called Bermuda needs foreign money,and foreigners whether they be expatriate workers or tourists. With them comes more money to our economy,and more jobs to support their interests.
Again … apols. if you know this stuff already.
Hey, Les.
What! Are you implying that the Colonel and Rolf are not welcoming? Surely you are mistaken!!
Whassup Argosy … Yup … I think Rolf and the Col. should be doormats …. errrr … I mean doormen at the welcoming arms of Bermy.
Yes Aye – have we heard a peep from our PREMIER since the election was called? (other then some self-promotion with respect to another meaningless ‘award’)
Coxn will step down soon or fall off in the election. Meanwhile she is busy trying to secure future employment, through networking so that she can get an underserved paycheck from some other fools. This is being fair, kind and considerate. Go Paula, Go Paula, no I’m serious..GO!
@Yes Aye,
The written press statement doesn’t capture some of the examples I cited during the press conference itself. As @ZombieApocalypse notes, the OBA’s plans for the economy and education are available at http://www.oba.bm/index.php/our-plan.
For example, this morning I mentioned our intention to grant any employer a two-year payroll tax exemption for new Bermudian hiring.
Let me be clear, the government already grants payroll tax exemptions to hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses. Those exemptions have been a lifeline for those businesses. The key difference in our plan is that it applies to _all_ businesses that create _new_ jobs for _Bermudians_. Think of the paddles used in the ER to shock a stopped heart instead of a life support machines.
We have talked sensibly about the economy for some time.
In the comments to the August 14th Royal Gazette article “OBA critical of lack of progress on civil service pay agreement” (http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20120814/NEWS11/708149920)
I pointed out that by under-funding government pensions for political reasons, it would be harder to fulfill those promises in the future.
On September 12, The Royal Gazette published my article “The OBA’s economic plans” (http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20120912/COMMENT05/709129990)
I also mentioned a few of the points from our education plan, such as:
- An integrated technical education curriculum beginning in the middle schools
- An independent standards body.
I could have included:
- An expanded pre-school programme, and
- A longer school day to provide more time for sports, art, music and help for students who fall behind
- A serious investment in professional development for teachers and principals.
On a number of occasions I have spoken about our need to focus the hospitals in Bermuda. Rapidly increasing costs, especially under the recently departed chief of staff, Dr. Donald Thomas, drive up insurance premiums for everyone.
Note:
- On July 31, Bernews published a story “OBA Expresses Concern Over Health Costs”
(http://bernews.com/2012/07/oba-expresses-concern-over-health-costs/)
- On September 18, The Royal Gazette reported “PLP and OBA trade words over FutureCare sustainability” (http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20120918/NEWS06/709189930)
At every opportunity we point out how an OBA government would do things differently.
Today, we felt that it was important to talk about the long term trends (aging population, worsening skill deficit, rising government debt) because the adaptation process takes a long time.
There is a large cohort of young people who aren’t yet eligible to vote, aren’t registered to vote, won’t be on the island to vote, or don’t yet understand the importance of voting. That cohort will face higher taxes, fewer benefits, or more hardship unless we start fixing things now.
Andrew Simons
One Bermuda Alliance candidate for Pembroke Central, constituency #17
https://www.facebook.com/AndrewSimonsForPembrokeCentral
Well said, Andrew!
Thank you Andrew & well said!
Bermudians must envision the future of our island and recognize that things have to change in order for us to adapt to an ever changing global economy. A candidate that provides explanation, sources and details to support realistic plans that will improve our island and help our people deserves to be commended! This is what standing strong really means….
Please keep up your momentum, our island needs smart and passionate people like you.
You give all Bermudians hope for a better future! THANK YOU!
Andrew< every time you write, it is worth reading everything you say. It is well researched, logical, reasonable, and in language that the majority of us can understand (Ms. Furbert's comments in another blog notwithstanding). Proud to know you, sir.
maybe bob and the oba investers are a company named invesco hmmm
Dear Yes Aye….I believe what Mr. Richards may be implying is that overseas investment partners are waiting to see if the PLP is elected…if they are then we may not expect overseas investment…one thing about Mr. Cannonier you can be certain he is not overseas picking up a usless Hero award from an organization sponsored by the Bermuda Government….oh and speaking of holding out until after the election how about Patrice Minors and the so called immigration reform that will come after the election…..care to share it with everyone now Miss Minors? have to wait until after the election?
Where’s Nandi? I recall on Tuesday and Wednesday’s press conferences that alexis, nicholas and andrew and Nandi were there. After her performance on wednesday have they pushed her to the side already??
Once again we have a superficial analysis of Bermnuda’s economy by the OBA.
The reality is that Bermuda has a very significant transient population (i.e. guest workers). Therefore the typical analysis that every young person in Bermuda will become an older person in Bermuda does not apply. Many of our young to middle age workers and their families will emigrate as they get older and thus not be a burden on younger workers.
Similarly, based on our economy, Bermuda will always have migrant workers that will transition in and out of Bermuda and support the older retirees.
Notwithstanding, whilst the impact of an ageing population will not be as severe on Bermuda as in other places, there will be an impact since people are generally living longer and Bermuda families are not having as many children as they had in the past. From memory, the birthrate required to replenish a population is 2.25 per household or thereabouts and Bermuda is at less than 2 – thus we are not having enough children to replenish ourselves. The ultimate impact is that Bermuda will have an increasing dependence on migrant workers in the future.
One relevance of my comments is the impact on healthcare. As we have more and more seniors who require more and more healthcare, costs will rise. In the past, the result has been the unavailability of health insurance afrter age 65 when it is needed most. The PLP solution is FutureCare – first rejected by MP Jackson on behalf of the UBP but now embraced by the OBA, based on recent comments. The aim of FutureCare is to contain and subsequently reduce healthcare costs. This is certainly a plus for PLP despite the detractors.
A second example of more relevant analysis of the economy reltes to tourism and international business. In the past, Bermuda relied heavily on the North American market for tourists and the US and UK for international business.
Premier Cox is on record as trying to forge new links with Middle Eastern and South American markets to try to diversify the economy. She also (with Ministers Furbert and Minors) are making significant attempts to increase Bermuda’s share of the Hedge Fund industry. Another related aspect is insurance equivalence through the BMA and the new Job Makers legislation. These 2 together should also help to spur growth since we have a mechanism to encourage the owners of these businesses to be domiciled in Bermuda and we also help to contain administrative costs since they can be regulated from a single jurisdiction.
A last example relates to construction since it seems to be a domestic driver of the economy. With the exeption of hotels, we have probably built all that can be built. The solution??? Develop the waterfront!! I think it is public knowledge that the Premier and her Cabinet are seeking international partners (possibly Middle Easter or Islamic finance) to make the waterfront a reality. Her recent visit to Qatar was met with some derision on the blogs but the Qatar Sovereign Wealth fund has approx. $175b available for investment. We can all imagine what would happen if they agreed to fund the waterfront.
These comments represnt a 10 minute analysis of the economy and are addmittedly very basic. The purpose is to demonstrate that once we all ‘put our hands to the plow’ Bermuda has a bright future. That will result in a growing GDP and a greater ease to repay the existing debt and any additional debt that maybe incurred.
In the final analysis, voters must decide who they are comfortable with going forward – a PLP government that has a record of focussing on the broader community to bring about social equity or the new OBA which with any objective analysis embodies the policies of the UBP.
Some will criticise the comparison of the OBA and UBP policies but the voters are left with no other choice without an OBA platform and the reality that some of the UBP economic masterminds have seamlessly transitioned to the OBA (and retained their safe seats)!!
Anecdotally, we are also aware that former UBP backers are financing the OBA – not an inherent problem but clearly, ‘he who pays, says’.
Pie in the sky:’ a promise of heaven, while continuing to suffer in this life’
I hear a lot of what ifs? Like the PLP’s last platform, the streets are not exactly paved in platinum, the hotel sites are still derelict and the economy is in decline while the U.S. recovers. A lot of the PLP’s economic plan sounds to me like prospecting but nothing concrete, no signed deals just all pipe dreams and pie in the sky.
If we develop the Hamilton waterfront (which was initially John Swan’s idea) will the Arabs own it, and if so, how much of the revenue generated by this waterfront will we be paying back to them?? More loans we cannot pay I guess. I bet there are just as many potential domestic partners that could finance the deal, they just do not have any faith in the government to throw their hat’s in the ring. I guess Paula is banking on the fact that the Arabs are naive to the PLP’s handling of finances. Well, one thing they are is ruthless, so if they do turn up, don’t come in way over budget or you may kiss future investment goodbye.
Vote for me the last 3 years have certainly shown that it is not a given that we will always have “Guest workers/migrant workers” as you refer to them as your Government has made every effort both directly and indirectly to drive them away..your statement that aging population of Bermuda will not have the same effect as in other places is flawed…the effect on Bermuda will be far worse as the “migrant worker” is going as are many Bermudians and certainly younger Bermudians are leaving…..so in reality we will be left with an aging population without a support base to fund the insurance and pension funds that your Government has so ineptly mismanaged….in other words a recipe for disaster…..Qatar,Middle EAst,South America? all pie in the sky along with charging to fly over Bermuda Airspace, long line fishing,satellites, Blue Economy and a host of other scatter brained ideas that your government keeps throwing against the wall hoping it will stick…how about the Chinese who were going to flood into Bermuda after Brown paid them a visit? how about the Indian Film Insitute that was going to create another Bollywood in Bermuda after Brown paid them a visit? frequent flyer miles and photo ops for the friends and family…Furbert and Minors? that says it all….and if that is the best you have to offer you can see why we are in grave danger….sit on the sidelines for 5 years and see if you can eek out a living and come back at the next election to see if you are needed…..oh at least we did get the generic indian drugs from those visits….who is benefitting from that?
@ Navin Johnson
A correct analysis of the numbers of guest workers would involve the most recent census. The problem for most of us is that we are basing our analysis on the last 5 years, which probably inludes our peak level of activity. A more sound economic analysis would cover the entire 10 year period and ecompass Bermuda’s highs and lows.
A good example of our peaks and valleys is housing. In the last 10 years, we increased the number of dwellings to cater to a maximum population and clearly overbuilt in almost all catergories, except low cost housing. We are now complaining because the number of residents has been reduced to pre peak levels without acknowledging that we simply overbuilt and need to adjust to a new market reality.
On an objective basis, we would find that Bermuda does not now have a housing problem but a pricing problem! Perhaps as a consequence of financial greed, everyone that took the financial risk for profit needs to accept that their timing was bad and reduce prices accordignly.
To take it a step further, you will recall that the Premier challenged professionals on the island to consider a rate drop (lawyers, accountants, doctors, landlords etc) to adjust to IB concerns about the cost of doing business. Are you aware of any reductions in professional fees? A more fundamental consideration is the interest rates. Whilst lendign and mortgage rates are at all time lows in the US, we contiue at relatively high rates. Just imagine the impact of a 1% redction on all lending rates!!
I also recall the Premier agreeing to a pay cut and pension freeze….but I seem to recall the pay cut had a caveat attached to it? if by a drop in rates for accountants and lawyers you mean those employed by IB I would say that IB responded by sending as many accountants and lawyers and IT staff and HR staff and other staff beside those on the underwriting side to other locations within their organization….and Madame Premiers comments at the time were seen for exactly what they were…..a diversion….on thing I will giver her credit for though is that her policies have solved the housing problem from a supply side…and just as an aside how many people actually believe the census results…if, as in my case, that came back 3 times even though the data was supplied the first visit?
@ VFM: I am not an economist, but it seems to me that basing our analysis on the last 5 years has a valid premise – something significant happened that changed our economic picture.
Well written, but much of that can be dismissed as fluff and what isn’t fluff, is actually the natural evolution of legislation. Nothing wrong with it, but it “aint kick startin’ nuffin”.
So, 4 tangible…hold on….ok, let’s make it three. 3 tangible steps to kick start the local economy.
Clue. There is no demand for products nad services in the local economy.
See, i even told you what’s wrong.
…..and then the investors looked into our government’s record of fiscal management, and turned away.
For someone who gets economic data from weekend talk shows, you never give up.
Interesting you mention the Quatar Sovereign Wealth Fund. That’s an example of what can happen if a government conserves resources, rather than getting into debt and spending everything in sight. Imagine what Bermuda would be like right now if we had zero debt. And now you suggest Quatar gives us a couple of billion to redevelop the waterfront? And they will hand it over just like that. I see.
Why didn’t you mention signing more TIEA’s? That was one of your bright ideas yesterday for explanding the economy. And don’t forget space ships, that will employ hundreds, according to Roban.
What does the PLP pay you for these posts? From the length of them I hope you’re charging by the word.
@ Zombie Apocalypse
Thank you for the compliment. The posts are normally done based on my thoughts and without reference to printed material. The objective is to show that sometimes the comments at OBA press conferences (and especially on the economy) are superficial at best. If I could type each of the posts would take a few minutes.
Like most, I look for a higher level of debate amongst the candidates (and posters). I do give credit to about 10 to 15 of the candidates who are able to properly argue their points.
Didnt the UBP leave a healthy vibrant economy for the PLP? One bult on future planning and growth? Yep… and the PLP squandered it and bled it to nothing with no thoughts of the future.
Are you trying to flatter the OBA?
Vote for Me,
Correct me if I’m wrong, but Future Care is running at a loss each year with no sign of that changing and Mr Desilva doesn’t seem to know what to do about it.
Question, does it still count as providing a service if that service can’t be relied upon in the future to be solvent?
@ Shelta
You stand corrected. As far as I am aware FutureCare is not running at a loss. On the contrary, they are about to extend the benefits for prescription drugs and physician visits since the fund can afford to do so.
Well now I’m flummoxed. When Mr DeSilva reported after its $2M shortfall in 2010 (most recent year of data) that “[w]e expect FutureCare’s claims to increase significantly in future years and the positive results of the first two years of operation are not an indication that the fund will continue to be successful in the absence of careful planning and prudent actuarial analysis.” Was he talking nonsense?
yow – vote for me – shelta set you up and took you for a ride mate!
He won’t respond. He likes what he calls “a higher level of debate”, which means he only likes discussing things with people who don’t point out the numerous flaws in his arguments. He pretends to know things but in fact just makes things up.
Well,Vote for Me, unless you have access to financial reports the rest of us are not privy to, how can you know that Future Care is running at a loss or is in the black? We are still waiting for reports from last year and it is almost next year. At the rate the financial picture is deteriorating, I would want to see what you are basing that “As far as I am aware FutureCare is not running at a loss” comment before I would believe it to be true. The PLP has shown it is not averse to pulling information out of the air and acting as if it were actual truth.
So you respond with “You stand corrected. As far as I am aware FutureCare is not running at a loss.” and based off of what? No basis as to why they would be corrected. Its like saying sh!t stinks because it comes out my bum… No, sh!t stinks because of the reaction between organic substances entering the body and reacting with hydrochloric acid in your stomach, this reaction results in the production of gas, such as methane, one of the properties of methane gas is the fact it smells like sh!t. See that? That was an answer based on factual information.
Shelta, You are correct.
Future Care lost $2,000,000 in 2010, the last year for which figures have been made public.
VoteForMe says as far as he is aware Future care is not running at a loss. I guess that’s true, in as much as the government has kept the economic results of the scheme away from any public scrutiny. But common sense suggests it is unlikely that it isn’t running at a loss, despite the scaling back of benefits since the scheme started.
If VFM knows something about the financial well-being of the fund, perhaps he could share the link with us. If they’re planning to extend the benefits, that’s a reversal at least from the scaling back that the government has done in the past.
In reality, the present Government has no idea how to turn things around. Drywallers and Nail Technicians are not going to repay $1.5bn in debt anytime soon. The policies, while very good for the people that need them, are just a drop in the economic ocean.
Investors and I.B. presently do not trust the Government. It is obvious, there has been no new hotel development as promised and no international company has relocated to Bermuda that would employ enough Bermudian’s, goods and services to have a significant economic impact.
If I were the OBA, you almost do not want to get into power in the next election. Let the PLP run the show for another term, by that time the borrowed money with have slowed, they will have to axe government jobs and the economy will be in such a mess that the people will have no choice but to vote them out. Not really in the best interests of the Island, but I don’t see many people changing their tune in certain constituencies come the next election.
@Bermyman
Your post makes a good point but in a perverse sort of way (in my opinion).
My reasoning – it appears that a proper analysis of opinions for the PLP, OBA and Independents will show that PLP will win the election on December 17. They may have a reduced majority depending on key seats such as Swan in #2, Tucker in #7 and Todd/Scott in the West, to name a few.
The important point however is that Bermuda has a bright future if we focus more on Bermuda than our personal or political perspectives – Utopic but not impossible! Thus, these international partners that Richards refers to and the oft chimed Cannonier crime solution – we will stop the shooting will need to be brought to the fore for the good of Bermuda, even if the OBA lose the election. On this basis Bermuda will thrive to the benefit of all.
We can then get back to the poltical fighting closer to the next election and ‘may the best man win’.
My perversion reference is that you proposed for the OBA to lose and let Bermuda get to a point of virtual demise (which I completely reject). Why not simply accept whatever the voters render on December 17 and then work for the greater good? Colin Powell’s call to service comes to mind.
As has been said elsewhere, we should not insult the voters and reject their decision on Dcemebr 17, only because they do not agree with our individual opinions.
You must be smoking something!!
@argosy:
Vote for Me is not crazy or smoking something.
I have taken the last few weeks to truly study the candidates and the new boundaries, etc. to get a clear indication of what MAY happen on December 17th – here is my analysis:
The OBA will retain 8 seats without any effort –
Const # 4,8,9,11,12,22,23,& 28. The OBA will gain Const #10 and most likely retain Const #20. There is a strong possibility they will get Const #1 & 13 – thus the breakdown – 10 seats secure with a possible 2.
The PLP will retain 14 seats without any effort – Const # 3,5,6,14,15,16,17,26,29,32-36. The PLP may secure the following seats – Const #7, 21,24,25,27,30 – thus the breakdown – 14 seats secure with a possible 6.
Independent candidates will retain Const #2 & 31. It is possible that other IND candidates will secure Const #18 & 19 – thus the breakdown – IND secure 2 seats with a possible 2.
Even if you fudge some of those numbers, you still can’t deny the numbers favour the ruling party. This is simply opinion but they are based on facts – not guesses or pie in the sky ideas.
Discuss.
Yng Black Mind
(those who know understand)
You a likely to end up with the PLP winning the constituency count, but losing the popular vote. That would creat a challenge since there would be no mandate and would force them to show some humilty.
Alternatively, they could double down on the stupidity and divise rhetoric and we’ll be even worse off. I see food riots coming.
@ Yng Black Mind
My numbers on the electon differ somewhat from yours because I have it PLP 21 or 22 with no Independents. MP Swan will lose his seat unless OBA gets Ms. Davis to stand down. At the last election, MP Foggo lost by 20 odd seats. Ms. Ming is highly regarded as a worker for St. George’s and is a very competent organiser.
I expect MP Swan to possibly come a credible second but it will depend on his ability to retain the UBP votes which have gone so convincingly to OBA if you look at the bye election results from C#12, after MP Barritt resigned.
Sullivan was a virtual non entity but Cannonier did quite well despite the general sense that Mr. Richardson was widely acknowledged as the better candidate. It would actually be useful for ZBM to rerun the Lets Talk show that featured Mr. Cannonier and Mr. Richardson.
There will be some other tight contests but I will leave that to another post.
“This is simply opinion but they are based on facts.”
Now there’s an oxymoron!
@ Vote for me:
I see some sense in your post, but I also at present still have little faith in the PLP government to economically turn the situation around and to instill confidence in investors. But not only do I not have faith, I have just plain not seen results. I have also seen a few knee jerk policy reactions such as the increase in payroll tax that catalyzed the movement of foreign employers like CITI group out of Bermuda. I have seen a local investor who has Bermudian interests at heart (waterloo house) make a real estate play. But I have not seen a new hotel build or a large foreign employer re-domicile on these shores. We are not talking window dressed statistics that the government likes to spray out to the electorate. I am talking real and tangible economic advancement.
“The important point however is that Bermuda has a bright future if we focus more on Bermuda than our personal or political perspectives”
I also wish this case were true, but as long as we have opposing forces in the form of party politics we will never get close to this. Bermuda is too small for the Westminster system in my opinion and at the same time we have far too many constituencies. This only dilutes the political intellectual pool and creates more openings for ego’s to maneuver themselves into positions of power. Party politics again facilitates the egos and the power hungry politicians of today. In my opinion, we need fewer and smarter people running the country with the best interests of the nation at heart, not the best interests of their political parties’ re-election campaign.
@ Bermyman
The sort of posts that you and I have had this afternoon should be reflected in political discussions. We do not have to have the same opinions but we also should not disagree about everything.
If we can get to that point with the PLP and OBA, Bermuda will have a bright future. Lets see what happens after teh election. We will all sink together or swim together, no matter the captain of the ship.
vote for me – get on back up the page to that future care conversation – hurry along – it was getting interesting
Bermyman,
I don’t think anyone believes that drywallers and nail technicians will repay debt. Just that comment from you shows ignorance. These training programs were to ensure that bermudians would be able to get employment now as there is demand for specific skillsets, even in this economy.
Now these individuals wiLl be able to work on the KEMH project and Waterloo House. It may not be a big deal to you but to their families I’m sure it is!
Ahh I see now. It is a band aid economic policy. Just patching a wound that has yet to heal.
I agree, give them another 4-5 years and we’ll see how people feel about them after that. Why should oba get elected just to face the onslaught of comments blaming them for the current conditions? At the end of it all, no matter what happens, we’ll still have our lives, maybe sh!ttier lives, but we’ll still have our lives, then its about adapting to the current conditions. As I’ve said before I don’t care who wins the election, its just my opinion the plp won’t take us forward, and I want to be wrong on that. The thing is none of us know if the oba can do any better, they’re just the other option, but all of us know as long as parties exist, independant candidates will never be able to make a difference. Actually typing this comment I just came to a decision, every election I’m ticking every box on the ballot until someone makes a legitimate attempt to decriminalize or legalize marijuana, something that could literally piss revenue into out economy.
“In a constitutional republic like the United States, people often think that the proper response to an unjust law is to try to use the political process to change the law, but to obey and respect the law until it is changed. But if the law is itself clearly unjust, and the lawmaking process is not designed to quickly obliterate such unjust laws, then the law deserves no respect and it should be broken.”
I, Among various other people make sure to break this law every day, every day it harms nobody, to be perfectly honest its a breach of my human rights and with all we now know about the medical properties of marijuana its almost criminal to charge people for it or withold it from us. I personally take it as a slap in the face after watching family memebers suffer from cancer and its “treatments” as pharmaseutical companies rape our families for the chance that they MIGHT survive. So until we change our draconian laws, screw anyone who gets into power.
You SHOULD care who wins this election.
Why?
Because we’re already down the toilet and 5 more years of the PLP will be pulling the chain and flushing this Island away. It’ll be too late then to do much about it.
No matter what you believe of the OBA, Bermuda cannot afford another term of the hubristically incompetent PLP. Judge them on their record which reeks of…..well, hubris & incompetence! Oh, I forgot to include unethical!
It ain’t rocket science people….
I completely agree, but I’m sick and tired of hearing from people with their party allegiances and I TRY not to take one side, but for people to agree with EVERYTHING a certain party says is such a ridiculous frame of mind and shows you can’t actually think for yourself. So, ignorance is bliss. I agree with a few things the plp have done, you can’t take all credit away from them because that’s just as ridiculous, and I disagree with a few things the oba present, as far as I’m concerned both parties ideologies are too old fashion and don’t represent what I want. I realize the coming election will be an important, if not, the most important election we have had, but as every day passes and the more.I try to educate myself I realize that if I vote for a party that doesn’t represent what I want, I enable them to simply do what they want, and I’m sorry but I’m now at a point where I refuse to do that. They can only succeed with support, and until they represent my beliefs, they won’t get my support. The thing is the more this sort of mentality infects the people, the more control we will have as far as the way we are governed. In my opinion we aren’t too far off a dictatorship right now, and the word democracy is a steaming pile of horse crap to me.
Where are Crockwell and the other members of the BDA? Just curious.
Haha – waiting to put their feet up!
people in line in front of Four Star Pizza at 4:45 in the morning to get a 10 inch pizza and bottle of water for $5bucks….what does that tell you Vote for me? and the blame rests at the feet of your Government….although the MP’s do all have nice cars,houses and the best health care and pensions…any of them on Future Care? just saying…
@ Navin Johnson
I would bet that the line up at Four Star has nothing to do with economics and rather teh irresistiabel desire to get a bargain.
Think of this – Berkeley has a student cafeteria and guess what? They serve up to 400 meals daily. If there was such a financial challenge, parents would by groceries, prepare breakfast and lunch and send their children on the way.
Posters – please do not go wild. There are clear economic challenges for Bermuda but teh lines at Four Star are certainly not a reflection.
This is in itentional caps. WHERE DO THE MINISTERS CARS COME FROM?? INCLUDING THE OFFICIAL BMW FOR TEH GOVERNOR AND PREMIER??
@ Navin Johnson
You are clearly providing a laugh for me and the other posters if you think the lines at Four Star have anything to do with the economy.
If your thoughts were true, the lines at all the other stores would be empty. After all, who really needs a new cell phone or electronic goods. I also assume you do not know how many lunches and breakfasts are sold each day at Berkeley, Cedarbridge, Whitney and some of the other schools. If parents were really struggling there would be no cafeterias at any of the schools. I am not saying there is no hardship but emphasising the point that the lines at Four Star do not reflect Bermuda’s economic circumstances.
Perhaps a real question!! Where do the Ministers’ cars come from, including the BMW for the Premier and Governor?? Yes, you guessed it – the Gibbons clan. Have you ever heard MP Grant Gibbons complain about GPs? I think not because his family benefits more than most from this taxpayer expenditure.
Next question – who owns most of the buildings that government rents for various depaartments? According to the latest analysis, the amount is $12m annually. And which supporters own these buildings?? Yes you guessed it – clearly the former UBP!! The most ironic of all the rents is that the Bermuda Housing Corporation rents from the Gibbons family!! And while I am at it, I am not bashing the Gibbons family, just pointing out a few facts.
As for FutureCare, based on the way it is structured, most retirees may end up using its excellent benefits after they retire.
People always line up at 4:30 in the morning to get a jump on pizza for Christmas.
I’m awe struck at how I can even respond to that hammery… So many holes in their argument is like swiss cheese. Wow, and I’m the one that usually calls for facts…I don’t get paid enough to respond to that…sh!t I don’t get paid period.
Oh and by the way I buy meals for kids at cedar bridge for the school year. Many children would literally starve if it were not for the generosity of people who step in where your government has failed. Please don’t talk about the parents buying meals as many are too broke ….all due to your wonderful government and how they have squandered a fortune with nothing to show for it
Andrew I want to see if you are around after the election. Cause we young people can see threw the smoke.
HaHa…..AND you can spell – NOT!!
The island is in the throws of losing people,families and neighborhoods day by day. The actual losses are different from a balance sheet in that there are no real depiction by abstract absolute number system available.
That is due from either misguided or inconsiderate or poorly conceived financial plans.
IB alone is not the single method or remedy for the problems that are under the surface .The attitudes and policies that have been transforming the “Climate” have developed or were developed under the current government and the previous government , not the folks who have felt the loss of their children ,fathers, relatives in the slowly evolving machinations day by day.
It is time to have an island wide health survey alright a survey of the health of families and neighborhoods.
While we are still above ground think about what good can be done in a day because there will be sufficient evil without any of our help …
Vote for a decided change The One Bermuda Alliance is looking for the chance to begin a good work with your voice of support. Until everyone is aware of the need for new minds and hands at the helm as a people Bermuda will not be heard.
William
Well spoken, Andrew.
When this election season began I was a PLP supporter and felt I wanted an experienced politician to make up the new government. Andrew, you have made me change my mind. Your visiting my home, spending time with my family and campaigning in my neighborhood has made me take a second look at my commitment to the PLP candidate. To this day we have not heard or seen him in this area and we are not going to hold our breath.
However, it is watching you in front of the public that has made me realize what we need for the years to come is not the same old style of politician. Listening to you and realizing just how intelligent and passionate you are has made me see that that our country needs fresh, new, educated, passionate, and intelligent people making decisions for us. After much soul-searching, I have come to the conclusion that we can feel safe when we pass to the torch to your generation. We are too busy thinking about the past and the present but you and your generation are thinking of the future. You are looking beyond the problems of today and, with compassion and wisdom, looking to the problems that we are all going to have to face far into the future. These problems will be carried on your backs if they are not addressed today.
You are the ones who will be the caregivers and protectors of my generation who are now, or will soon be, slipping into our senior years. I, for one, feel much more confident knowing there is a whole generation of Andrews out there who are courageous enough to step out to meet the challenges in our Country for years to come.
Thank you, Andrew Simons, and may God bless you
Bermuda needs foreign investment to fix the economy. But who would ever want to invest in our island? The cost of living has to decrease. I’m not just talking about rent.
@Navin Johnson
Even if the economy was in really great condition, the lines would still have been the same length. Those people are just trying to get a deal. Why spend $800 on a phone when you get it for $99? This is exactly what businesses have to do to increase sales. Lower prices and offer deals and advertise.