Senator Diallo Rabain Questions OBA’s Plan
[Opinion column written by PLP Senator Diallo Rabain]
Happy New Year Bermuda,
We hope that this finds you and yours in good stead.
I wish to respond to recent remarks by MP Jeanne Atherden relating to the PLP’s contribution to the SAGE report debate. While she has mischaracterized the Shadow Finance Minister’s comments, MP Atherden is correct in saying that “There is a deep partisan divide over the way forward.”
Finance Minister Bob Richards has been asked repeatedly to clarify the OBA plan for cutting costs and raising revenue. He continuously refused to give details of an economic recovery plan.
Pre-election, the OBA put out two full page adverts, promising civil servants that they will not cut government jobs which is in stark contrast to Premier Craig Cannonier recent statement that he cannot guarantee government workers jobs.
MP Atherden states that the PLP’s call to look for ways to raise revenue is “a pipe dream”. Ironically, MP Richards acknowledged in the House the need to increase revenue. Pipe dream?
Bermudians First
MP Atherden implies that it seems that the unions are willing to discuss job cuts.
“The unions welcome dialogue with the Government on the development and implementation of a long-term strategic plan consisting of three to five years that will be beneficial for all Bermuda.”
Both PLP and the unions’ primary aim is to protect the jobs of every Bermudian worker. For the OBA to attempt to align themselves with the workers of Bermuda is a slap in the face to democracy.
Lest we forget the words of MP Patricia Gordon Pamplin, “The BIU is a bastardized imposter of a union.” The public has not forgotten Minister Fahy’s track record of anti-union activity.
Friends and Family
On one hand, the OBA are seeking ways to cut the jobs of Bermudians while on the other they are hiring persons such as Don Grearson and Charmaine Burgess to write columns for MP Atherden at a cost of $250,000.00 per year.
Questions for MP Atherden;
Why did Finance Minister Bob Richards refuse to give any idea of which SAGE recommendations the OBA will be following?
Why does the OBA refuse to explore revenue making avenues?
When will the OBA be commencing SAGE town hall meetings?
Is the OBA “friends and family plan” more important than employing Bermudians?
In closing, I wish to say thank you to all who have shown me support over the last two years. It is my honour to serve the people of Bermuda and especially my friends and family of eastern Bermuda.
- Amended at 11.05am
When you can come up with a satisfactory reason why we paid race consultants hundreds of thousands of dollars under the PLP administration then I might have some sympathy for your bleatings.
Not just race consultants, TONS of foreign consultants. The PLP must be hoping that voters have short memories or something.
The OBA did promise us they would do “Politics differently”,
I have yet I have yet to see any signs of doing “Politics Differently”. The OBA have now hired Consultants, which in most cases are not required, even during this difficult economic time we are now faced with. More so they seem to have hired their own friends and family, which they called the PLP out for doing. How can we accept this kind of Actions by our government ?
The Premier has a huge staff numbers which is not really required. Why is this? If you are serious about doing things Differently, why are you all willing to give the OBA a free pass on this one, yet call the PLP out on past actions? Where is that change and doing things differently.
Calling the PLP out and letting the OBA have a free pass, it not a brilliant way to address this situation. Why give OBA a free pass, yet fail to hold them accountable? Folks believed this would be different, but so far many are beginning to change their minds as it seems like they are no different. This is where the call and crys by the OBA sound extremely Hypocritical to me, and pushed me to move away from the party. The comments suggest that regardless, OBA are willing to excuse and not hold the government of the day accountable. Where is the creditability of the OBA’s key supporters? This is not a good look.
I see politics being done differently. In one year we have more liberal laws than ever. We have basic human rights for homosexuals, alcohol on sundays, discussion on marijuana taking place, casinos on their way. That’s one year! That’s the type of government who gets things done!
Except for maybe the human rights issue the rest of the changes are all bad.
Really? Are you kidding me?
Other than “MAYBE the human rights issue” (emphasis mine), nothing that they’ve done are good? They’re ALL bad?
Complete nonsense.
Gaming is coming to Bermuda. It has been for a long time. More than a decade. Now it’s actually going to happen. That is not a bad thing.
Marijuana decriminalization is being talked about in a serious manner, possibly paving the way to an end to our young men’s lives being ruined for pot.
Alcohol on Sundays, a step away from forcing other people to obey the laws of someone else’s religion, has happened. That’s a good thing. And I’ve been sober for 24 years.
All the changes are bad? Take the blinders off.
Liberal laws???? That’s not an accomplishment or a milestone.
We need jobs. WHERE ARE THE 2,000 JOBS????? People are suffering right now.
My mama needs a job, and I’m tired of hearing all this garbage about alcohol on Sundays and rights for homosexuals. We need jobs.
OBA PROMISED 2,000 JOBS WHERE ARE THEY??? That bull crap 420 is a straight up lie. I’m tired of the Politricks!!
Folk are still getting laid off and with this SAGE report recommending to cut jobs and implement more reductions!! WTF is really going on. The OBA is misleading BERMUDA!
Considering there were 420 new hires a couple of months ago, they’re right on track for the 2000.
It’s not a lie, you just don’t want to hear it.
You’re either pushing the lie of “They promised 2000 jobs right NOW.” or you believe that lie.
What is going on is that there is no Money to pay people and therefore there are no jobs, both government and business are struggling.
We have to increase interest from organizations and investors with money to pay people for jobs.
We do not produce any goods in Bermuda we only produce services. Therefore it is essential to attract investment from outside our country in order to grow our economy.
The PLP Government wasted close to a $ BILLION on cost overruns and projects that were well over budget and with hundreds of millions of dollars unaccounted for. We borrowed money to do this and now we have to pay it back, the only way to do this is to reduce our costs (SAGE) and try and attract more revenue. Sure you want 2000 jobs but that is not going to happen overnight it will take several years. Do you seriously think the OBA are doing what they are doing for fun and games? It is out of necessity for the greater good of the country. If we become bankrupt, everything you have ever done or worked for will become worthless. The Bermuda dollar will be worth nothing!Everything you own will be worth nothing. Think about it!? It is not as simple as just paying people willy nilly for work. The jobs have to be justified and available for the Government or Business to provide them. If your under the age of 40, you are not going to get a pension, not a cent! That is the post PLP reality we live in right now.
The OBA government have increased our national debt to almost a billion the first year of their administration.
Not to mention, out of the million promises these are the only achievements so far: Alcohol sales on Sundays, gay rights and the termination of term limits. That’s not much of an accomplishment and definitely not much to brag about. Heck I’m under the opinion that Alcohol and gay rights are not really accomplishments but more of a no-brainier.
The OBA had no choice but to increase the debt!
When they came to power on December 17, 2012, the:-
- $40million+ for the Grand Atlantic had not been paid!
- The multi million Aquatic center had not been paid for!
-The $26million Ireland Island affordable home project had been committed too but not paid for!
-The $20 to 30 Million repair and improvement to Heritage Wharf had been committed to but not paid for!
-The new $multi million laboratory at Marsh Folly had not been paid for.
And the list of commitments goes on and on! Commitments that the new OBA Government could not get out of and commitments that have to be paid for!!!
Remember this
“Governments don’t stop just because of elections” is what the PLP said. So the OBA now have to deal with the prior administration’s commitments….
LOL
Ah, excuses, excuses…
Nope. Reasons, reasons…
There’s a difference.
Thank you for agreeing to my point about the OBA only accomplishing 3 main feats that being Alcohol on Sundays, the termination of term limits and gay rights. Alcohol on Sundays and laws prohibiting discrimination among gays was a no-brainer anyway.
When the PLP left office, Bermuda had an approximate debt of 1.6bn dollars. The OBA’s first financial move was to borrow close to another 1bn. Now are national debt is around the 2.5bn mark not including pensions.
Are we forgetting that Government has an extended social responsibility unlike other private organizations? When employees are laid off, government has a social responsibility to provide social programs like financial assistance. Government is supposed to take a loss during a recession. If government didn’t take a loss, and employees were made redundant, our economy might have very well collapsed all together. Why not add the government grants for healthcare and seniors, education and Financial Assistance to your calculation. Why are you cherry picking Grand Atlantic and projects with a cost overrun? The answer is to try and denounce the PLP government and paint a bad picture.
The majority of the national debt is not because of project cost overruns it is because of failed government initiatives and recommendations that were not implemented at the senior management level. The SAGE report does a good job of pointing out the problems within government, and it’s not at the political level. The political level is what the public sees. It’s the permanent secretaries, chiefs, and department managers within government who have failed the taxpayer. They ran government departments at a deficit.
You’re type of thinking is exactly why everyone should be made to take an aptitude test and pass it, before they are allowed to vote!!!,
Well said Unearth, but it might be a little above some folks head to comprehend. That is Kangoocar and other diehards.
Shame you weren’t alive before 2012 when the governing PLPbiu only found 1,900 jobs for their “Friends & Family”, it’s just cost us over $200 million with no money contributed to the Superannuated Fund to the tune of $2 Billion UNDERFUNDED(that is the Civil Services Pension Fund).
What did Ms. Cox do to get the more than 7,800 Bermudians employed? That is the actual figure when you have more than 12% of Bermudians being UNEMPLOYED.
WHAT WAS SHE DOING WHILE THE NUMBERS ROSE FROM ZERO TO 200?
WHAT WAS DOING WHEN THE NUMBERS ROSE TO 1,000?
WHEN THE NUMBERS ROSE TO 2,000?
WHEN THE NUMBERS ROSE TO 3,000?
WHEN THE NUMBERS ROSE TO 4,000?
WHEN THE NUMBERS ROSE TO 5,000?
WHEN THE NUMBERS ROSE TO 6,000?
TELL ME WHAT SHE DID WHEN THE NUMBERS ROSE TO 7,000?
Ms. Cox was doing the same thing the OBA has been doing, building confidence in Bermuda’s economy to ENCOURAGE capital investment in the Island, because only PRIVATE COMPANIES can hire people….only the OBA is being MUCH more successful at it.
And the PLPbiu CAN’T have that!
How can anyone dislike this? I guess the truth hurts.
“The unions welcome dialogue with the Government on the development and implementation of a long-term strategic plan consisting of three to five years that will be beneficial for all Bermuda.”
Both PLP and the unions’ primary aim is to protect the jobs of every Bermudian worker. For the OBA to attempt to align themselves with the workers of Bermuda is a slap in the face to democracy.
Lest we forget the words of MP Patricia Gordon Pamplin, “The BIU is a bastardized imposter of a union.” The public has not forgotten Minister Fahy’s track record of anti-union activity.
There are no jobs coming, but the OBA will lose us less jobs than the PLP will.
You might be taken more seriously if it was not a FACT that you are just another one of the Bettie’s !!! You will never fool me!!
I should have pointed out it was Spider-man I was referring too!!,
Shut your garbage dispenser you call a mouth.
Betty I thought you loved me??? That is not the way to speak to a loved one!!! You must be one of the nasty Bettie’s?? Probably the Ex police commissioner betty!!! The one I call the ” lame a?s!”
Well written Senator Rabain great stuff. I am most impressed with the young team of the PLP Senate. Keep it up !!
So you are just going to dismiss all that was said as well as the questions?
Bermuda will never go forward with people like you around
Bermuda will never go forward as long as the mindset that one does not have to be accountable prevails. And that not only applies to politicians but to EVERYONE and everything in their lives!
Sen. Rabain,
This is a very insightful piece of writing. I am most pleased with the key points you have pointed out. This reveals that the OBA are failing to address the key concerns in Bermuda, and have shifted from their pre-election promises. So far I have not seen them keep one promise. Their supporters can work hard to defend them as much as they like, but this will not change their Political Record for this past year. I have since reconsidered whom I support, as I have been disappionted by the action of this UBP party. After all they promised me that they will do “Politics differently” and I see no sign of that.
Keep writing and speaking Senator Rabain, if you get no reaction from the diehard supporters, that means you and the other PLP Senator or MPs are not doing an effective job as Opposition. But when you see the standard of the comments of this level coming from the UBP supporters this suggest that your working hard as an effective Opposition. I was hoping that would engage in providing more balance and critical feedback that would improve Bermuda overall. So far the comments are key sign that the PLP are standing strong as the Opposition.
Do not get concern, I seldom if ever write on this blog, but I have noticed that it is the same 5 to 10 UBP persons whom write daily. So it tells me you have indeed raised their eyebrows, and they are concern that OBA are not working as an effective government. It also speaks to the level of fear of this strong PLP Senate team of youthfulness intellectual individuals. Well done Senator Rabain.
I mention UBP, as this group and party remain me so much of the UBP, and therefore it is now easy to call them by such a name. Change that I was expecting, seems to far in the distance or not likely to take place at all.
I hope that the PLP continues to speak up and stand firm. This is an exciting year ahead of us, and it would be interesting to see just how Bermuda will move forward. I do not expect change from the OBA bloggers, as we must forgive them for they do not know what they do.
I forgot to mention your correct, they did promise CS they would not cut their jobs, but now we see a 100% turn around on another broken promise. These broken promises seem to continue on even as we begin this new year.
for someone who doesnt post often, you sure have a lot to say!
Spider-Man, is just one of the Bettie’s !!! Absolutely astounding the levels they sink too??.
sound like betty too lmfao…jus betta grammar. they got about 5 ppl doin it
Sure do!! What is even more sad, is that our former police commissioner is one of them?? And we wonder why we are in the sad state we find ourselves after 14 yrs of their nonsense!!!! I have never been fooled by any of them and they know it!!!!
The Trump friends and family are really getting boring and predictable with their feeble efforts at spin and propaganda.
They really need more lessons from the SPIN DOCTOR!
@Kangoocar..@ Inna my two biggest fans…they always missing me when I do not write…been busy ….still travelling now…. .
Well written Spiderman, I hope you continue to write in the future… I am still traveling….good stuff….Keep it up especially coming from a balance position on the issues..
Hey I see that you and my friend Inna always missing me. REALLY….I love it… I know this piece by Senator Rabain is killing you so much, that your seeking to find a reason to attack Spiderman. I love what is written by Spiderman…good stuff…
Love you Kangcaroo and UBPoba fans….thanks for always asking for me…. I loving it..
Much love you two….
Must really annoy you, that I am never fooled by your nonsense??? Love you too betty!! You always make my day!
Well written Senator Rabain, great comments by Spiderman. Keep writing Spiderman, do not get turned-off by Kangoocar this is his regular style…
I see your missing me again,,, well that must be your great love for me..
Sending you some love now…
Poor grammar, lack of logical and critical argument. Use of PLP election ‘Buzz’ words. Referring to the OBA as UBP Reeks of a paid PLP blogger.
Spiderman, even the PLP would have had to implement some changes. There’s no avoiding it.
You must be out of your mind!
Are you suggesting that we should vote for the PLP again? How crazy is that…..?
ZERO BUSINESS EXPERIENCE! How many PLP’ers have successfully run a business? No accountability? No one willing to make prudent decisions!
We will be back in the error of overspending all over again.
Why do PLP politicians bother! From my view point you’re completely disingenuous! Have you looked in the mirror yet!
You have already proved to us that the PLP is an ineffective government…all you have left is the race card! Please don’t play it again! Us folks are not stupid!
Why don’t you help the OBA clean up the mess you made. Scoring political points at this point is meaningless! Too many of us are out of work! Focusing on helping your country and your constituents! You should be ashamed of the state you left this country in!
Black Bermudian!
P.S. Only the blind would vote PLP!
This is a rushed piece to put out, Sen Rabain. The grammatical and punctuation errors are appaling! Just read the first sentence: “I wish to recent remarks by MP Jeanne Atherden relating to the PLP’s contribution to the SAGE report debate”!
And talk about being hypocritical!! In one breath you say: “Friends and Family
On one hand, the OBA are seeking ways to cut the jobs of Bermudians while on the other they are hiring persons such as Don Grearson and Chamaine Burgess to write columns for MP Atherden at a cost of $250,000.00 per year”
And then your closing statement: “In closing… It is my honour to serve the people of Bermuda and especially my friends and family of eastern Bermuda”.
What a good laugh for a Monday morning! Methinks you might need to hire someone to the tune of $250k a year to write your speeches!
Please write out APALLING 20 TIMES!
You lose too; its appalling. But my fault for not double checking my work as i dont particularly get someone to proofread my work before i submit.
The problem with your comment is that you seem to willing to excuse and give the OBA a free pass, and failing to hold the government accountable. I too voted OBA, but I will not take on the HYPOCRITICAL stand as you have taken, and excusing the OBA for their failings, just because I did support them.
Sen. Rabain has called the OBA out on many key factors, that they have failed or promised to carry out. I will stand on what is right, and speak on what is wrong, and not put myself in such a position to damage my integrity as you have choosen to do on a daily basis.
We need folks whom are going to stand on truth and hold the government accountable, regardless where we placed our X that day. If we are true to the things that OBA promised Bermuda, we need to stand on solid ground of honesty and inclusiveness as promised.
It is very apparent that you voted for the OBA in 2012. How could anyone think that you are anything other than a once loyal OBA supporter who has lost faith in their party!?
It is great to have such fresh and vibrant commentary that is not at all tainted by PLP spin or seeking to vilify the OBA in any way.
Your criticism is honest, open and believable.
Betty, this lying of yours has to stop!! You never voted OBA!!! Doesn’t matter what name you are posting with, a liar is a liar and you in particular are a liar!!!
Questions for MP Atherden;
Why did Finance Minister Bob Richards refuse to give any idea of which SAGE recommendations the OBA will be following?
Why does the OBA refuse to explore revenue making avenues?
When will the OBA be commencing SAGE town hall meetings?
Is the OBA “friends and family plan” more important than employing Bermudians?
In closing, I wish to say thank you to all who have shown me support over the last two years
I know you love me so much Kangoocar and you always looking to debate with me. But please, others are also free to write…you miss me so much each time I do not write…ahaha
thanks for the laugh…some good stuff written by Spiderman, and it is killing the UBPoba fans diehards…really
Yeah right betty!! By now even you know that you need to get up even earlier in the day to have a chance at fooling me!!! Love you too betty!!!
There are some pretty terrible grammatical faux pas in your comment as well, as long as you’re pointing out others’ mistakes…
Except one is a comment from a nobody, the other a press release from a politician… Soo……?
Kick off the new year with a useless PLP commentary about PLANS…..give us your version of how to get us out of the quicksand you put Bermuda in….
The PLP has recommended certain initiatives over the past year that have largely gone ignored by the OBA.
Shame they couldn’t do any of them in the 14 years in government.
To my knowledge PLP did many great things during the 14 years as government. But we as people do not like to provide an honest and balance evaluation. I am sure the OBA will also do a few good things. We must stop attempting to down one party at the expense of another, yet fail to hold them accountable. I voted to hold the government accountable, even if they make errors, I will call them on it. That is a much truer and clearer call of democracy
Spiderman I love your choice of words…”To my knowledge the PLP did MANY GREAT THINGS” and you are sure “The OBA will also do a FEW GOOD THINGS ….I just struggle to see the great many things your Government did during their 14 years and have a tough time looking past the result of their time in control as Bermuda has been damaged for a generation if we can ever recover and no one has ever been held accountable as few people no the extent of the damage…..
know
Name five.
such as …
That’s all the PLP ever did. “Consider” this, “form a committee to look into” that, “investigate the possibility” of doing something else. They’re great at pie-in-the-sky ideas.
Useless at anything else.
You DO get that they’re not in charge any more, right?
you are so ridiculous. the initial comment was that the PLP has provided no plans. The response was that they have provided plans that the OBA has not used. The OBA is well within their rights to not use them, but that does not take away from the fact that the PLP has in fact made numerous suggestions in their Budget reply and their reply to the throne speech.
…which the UBP (OBA) did as well during their time in opposition, and i am damn sure that none of those ideas where taken into consideration either!
Yes, whereas previously they would just spend their way out of a situation… people were quite happy about that too weren’t they…?
Show me the plans…..
Me saying the below means nothing…
Show me the plans…..
I think we should explore our own airline.
I think we should establish a worldwise diamond licence registry
Saying it is irrelevent…..GOVT are not PRIVATE SECTOR.
Please name 2 succinct recommendations which YOU think are a good idea?
Silence.
Yeah. It’s ME that’s ridiculous. Right.
You’re whingeing that the OBA have “ignored” plans put forth by the PLP (which is ridiculous, of course. Dismissed, maybe, but I’m sure they weren’t ignored.), the same people – literally the EXACT SAME PEOPLE – who ran our country into the ground.
But it’s me that’s ridiculous.
You, a dishonest PLP demagogue who continually makes some completely false, politically motivated, smearing statement, then runs away when called on it, are not ridiculous. But I am.
Right.
And don’t think it’s gone unnoticed that you’ve ignored all the other folks asking you to back up your post in order to try to make your usual personal attack.
Ridiculous.
I’ve never seen PLP work so hard! If they worked this hard during their tenure they would surely still be in power!
It’s good because it creates balance.
Cmon Betty lets hear you defend this load of rubbish.This is an example of speaking just to be HOPEFULLY heard by blind followers ( as the spokesperson BT often says ) that you are hoping are still able to be lead down the garden path. My grammar is just as bad eh?
I tried of hearing the plp saying they have all these great plans, but yet as govt. They ran bermuda to ruins….
They need to just let the oba do the work that is going to make bermuda better.
PLP ran Bermuda to ruins? Seems to me that more people held jobs under the PLP.
I understand from a few friends that lost jobs that as soon as the OBA were in power, a few private companies couldn’t get rid of some of their Bermudian workers fast enough so that they could hire expats.
Wow. You seriously don’t see it? You think that everything was fine at the end of 2012?
Amazing. You’re just rewriting reality as it’s happening.
Mindblowing
so you base a whole political party’s achievements on the fact (unsubstantiated i might add) that there are more jobs now than before? what about basing their performance on the money a government saves up during their time in power, or in our case, debt that gets racked up. or basing it on what social initiatives put in place to help those that need it more than others?
and further, who are these friends whos jobs were taken by expats, and why havent you or they done something about it if it is true? if it is not true, you are grasping at straws to make a point and that is a bit excessive!
The PLP have great plans to borrow another $300Million dollars per year like we are still doing now.
The Government only “OWES” $2.324BILLION dollars of other peoples money.
So the game is how long can we continue to borrow $300Million dollars per year.
Five years of recession and out economy is still going “DOWN” even with all the borrowing.
We only have 60,000 population and 25,000 working Bermudians with “ONE THIRD” or (8000) on the Government payroll……DAH!
The POP promised to keep spending consistent for 3 years after the election. This amounts to a promise to bankrupt the country.
We must be honest in our dialogue and debate. I too voted OBA, but I too will hold the governmetn of the day accountable regardless and not write a comment that favors them when in fact they did wrong. I thought we voted for doing Politics differently, so far the comments of the OBA and governmetn does not reflect that.
If I recall the PLP did increase our debt level over a period of 14 years, but more recently the OBA Mr. Richards increased it by 3 folds in less than 5 months. This is something that is more concerning than ever, yet I hear or see no out cry from the OBA fans. Please do not tell me it was done to cover the PLP debt, as this was not the case.
Not true. He borrowed money to pay off debts already due, so that we, as a country, you know… paid our debts.
You can’t denounce people for not freaking out about something that didn’t happen how you wanted it to.
Wrong! Bob Richards borrowed 800 million increasing our debt to cover future deficits. Apparently he got it at a low interest rate so it made economical sense at the time. Do you even read the articles you comment on and use proper logic?
“Government is set to borrow up to $800 million to cover budget deficits for the next three years. Finance Minister Bob Richards yesterday explained that borrowing for the medium term in the current low interest rate environment will save the taxpayer millions of dollars in financing costs”.
Your a big time OBA diehard with WRONG FACTS! Why don’t you give it break.
There it is. “You’re an OBA diehard” nonsense.
I should really just start dismissing people who say that, completely out of hand, as it shows perfectly that they don’t have a real argument.
Budget deficits for the next three years are caused by… what again?
I was simplifying for the lowest common denominator. Perhaps I went to far, sure.
It IS always nice when someone just pops on to tell me to stop posting and “give it a break”, then disappears.
That’s how it’s going to go, isn’t it? I’ll be shocked it you actually start contributing.
You were WRONG just admit it. You got a red card for posting false information.
You should do some real unbiased research mate then come back to the forum with some substance.
At least you came back. Of course you just SAYING I’m wrong doesn’t make it so.
Here’s a Q. If the PLP hadn’t mismanaged the country’s finances as badly as they did, would we have to have borrowed the money?
If the answer is yes, then I was wrong. If it’s not…
THEY HAD NO CHOICE!
The OBA had no choice but to increase the debt!
When they came to power on December 17, 2012, the:-
- $40million+ for the Grand Atlantic had not been paid!
– The multi million Aquatic center had not been paid for!
-The $26million Ireland Island affordable home project had been committed too but not paid for!
-The $20 to 30 Million repair and improvement to Heritage Wharf had been committed to but not paid for!
-The new $multi million laboratory at Marsh Folly had not been paid for.
And the list of commitments goes on and on! Commitments that the new OBA Government could not get out of and commitments that have to be paid for!!!
One should never borrow to pay debts, as it puts you deeper in debt
If I owe Paul $800m and I borrow $800m from Peter, Peter will charge me interest thus increasing my over all debt.
It took PLP 14yrs to put us 1.6bn in the red and a few months for OBA to put us $800mn deeper.
Would you ever use your credit card to pay your mortgage?
And if you think PLP is solely to blame and OBA is doing a better job, I feel sorry for you
Here we go again, putting words in people’s mouths.
Not once have I ever said that the PLP is solely to blame.
Just a Q:
If not borrowing, how should we have got the money?
“If not borrowing, how should we have got the money”
Shouldn’t the OBA should find a way? Isn’t that the reason why they were elected? Stop playing dumber than your mark.
So… No answers then, just more smear from you.
Why is it that you lot seem to think that personal attacks are a valid response?
“If not borrowing, how should we have got the money”
Shouldn’t the OBA find a way? Isn’t that the reason why they were elected? Stop playing dumber than your mark.
I wander if you took on what I said?
I didn’t put words in your mouth!
I did not put words in your mouth.
Clearly pointing out PLP are not solely to blame.
If you have a bill, do you
1 Make the money to pay for it or
2 Borrow the money to pay for it?
OBA has not generated more money nor have they shown any way of doing so.
We would be better of mining for bitcoins at this rate
Do not think OBA is trying to improve our current economic conditions.
If you think that, then your bias has overridden your logic.
Or you’re completely unaware of just how bad things are for us as a country.
Aware I am, to what extent no clue, as PLP lied and OBA are lying
Do You know how bad things are?
Was that English? Are you Yoda?
I don’t know EXACTLY how bad things are, but I have a pretty good idea.
Oh, and, if the bill is due right away and I don’t have the money to pay it? Y’damn right I borrow it, if I can. THEN I make the money to pay it back.
You must be pretty lucky to not have been in this situation.
No need to borrow another penny, actually, as long as you’re all ok with the consequences of the government spending no more than it receives. That’s what happened, actually, until Ewart and Paula got the purse strings. Personally I’d be thrilled if we went back to the government spending only what it receives and no more.
the reason why he increased it as much as he did in the time frame that he did, was because if the current spending under the PLP continued under the OBA, we would need to borrow 300m EVERY year just to get by. the PLP did not forecast these increases every year, so all they did was minimally increase the debt ceiling when needed so people like yourself wouldnt get “too alarmed” at what was going. and then boom , here we are in 2014, in the situation we are currently in.
unlike the Paula and the PLP, Bob and the OBA are looking at the long term and trying to put real policies and initiatives in place that can sustain us in the long term, not for the next 12 months, for us to then sit around the table, again, and figuring out how to increase revenues, again!
Another disingenuous comment!
The OBA had no choice but to increase the debt!
When they came to power on December 17, 2012, the:-
- $40million+ for the Grand Atlantic had not been paid!
– The multi million Aquatic center had not been paid for!
-The $26million Ireland Island affordable home project had been committed too but not paid for!
-The $20 to 30 Million repair and improvement to Heritage Wharf had been committed to but not paid for!
-The new $multi million laboratory at Marsh Folly had not been paid for.
And the list of commitments goes on and on! Commitments that the new OBA Government could not get out of and commitments that have to be paid for!!!
just to explain it to you Spiderman the finance Minister did borrow $800 million at favorable rates before the cost of borrowing goes up at our next rating downgrade…the money is to fund the annual deficit for the next 3 years and may not all be used if the economy ,by some miracle,turns around. Rather than go to the well to borrow every year as the PLP did it was decided to take advantage of rate knowing that 3 years is a minimum for a turnaround of the magnitude we have been left….The PLP borrowed last year to make payroll and rather than stop digging the hole they just kept on going….they had no clue and wanted the people of Bermuda to believe they did….
so in other words….
The PLP borrowed last year to make payroll and rather than stop digging the hole they just kept on going
The PLP borrowed last year to make payroll and rather than stop digging the hole they just kept on going
The PLP borrowed last year to make payroll and rather than stop digging the hole they just kept on going
The PLP borrowed last year to make payroll and rather than stop digging the hole they just kept on going
ok ok ok I got it…does anyone one else got it? (excuse my grandma)
OBA said the following the pdf versions of their manifestos and promises are still online:
- 2,000 NEW jobs
- No more waste and reductions in Government spending:
- No more consultants
- Growing the economy to pay down debt and as Sir John and his Assistant Larry Burchall said “lots of trickle down activity” so locals can get a tip from the highly paid Executive or have an apartment rented
The PLP’s record is NOW IRRELEVANT, we need the OBA to LEAD, 12 months of being surprised to have one is enough time to settle in to the role of Governance
Can you explain why Obama is still blaming Pres Bush for everything, over 5 yrs later ????
When did he do this last?
Within the last three months!!!!
Link?
Not that hard to find Mike, Google him yourself !!! Only thing I ask, is an acknowledgement that I am correct!!
This is why I asked. I can’t find any that aren’t from a while ago and certainly none from less than three months ago.
I should also add: How many times has he blamed Bush and been wrong?
Mike, I actually am too busy to find them for you but, if you actually watch reputable news broadcasts as opposed to watching the way left leaning news that most Bermudians watch you would actually see the world in the proper way!! If you are a supporter of that disaster of a president there is no helping you!! Out of all the things he is doing that has seriously hurt all of us, Obamacaree is going to finally make all you blind followers really understand the carnage he is causing!!! We are going to get hammered economically real soon, and it will be nothing like what the plp have already done to us!! Unfortunately the plp talking heads will blame the OBA for not repairing our economy but it really will not be the OBAS fault!! I am married to an American and already know how much more a year it will cost us, thankfully I can afford it but the majority of Americans and the businesses that employ people in that country can’t!!! The US economy is going to be hammered real bad this year and just remember kangoocar warned you!!!
Reputable, meaning?
Do you have any suggestions of what news broadcasts I should watch?
I’m still waiting to give you acknowledgement for being correct. I’d be happy to do so.
Your reticence to show links is making me think that I might not have to make that acknowledgement.
Also… I did ask: How many times has he blamed Bush and been wrong?
Any news that is broadcast that isn’t done by CNN, NBC, CBC, CNBC, PBS or ABC to a lesser extent! You are proving your self hopeless by asking how many times he has been wrong about blaming Bush! If you really need to know, it has been pretty well all the times he blamed Bush! I only hope you are prepared for what is coming, if not oh well!! I am because I had my eyes open since 2007 ( I am very aware that this disaster took office in 2009) and am very well prepared for it! Good luck! If you have no clue about what he has and is still doing, you will be a victim just like the rest of the blind will be!
You’re being pretty evasive here.
I asked for recommendations and you gave what NOT to watch. I asked for links and you are too busy. I asked a simple question and you ignored it.
I’m starting to wonder why…
And “pretty much every time”? That’s ludicrous. Come on.
I also note you didn’t mention Fox News. Are they reputable?
Just asking.
Did they say that they’d do this in the first year?
If so, then yeah, maybe you got a point.
If not, then… what are you talking about?
And the PLP’s record IS relevant and will continue to be for as long as the effects of it are continuing. I know you want us all to ignore the mismanagement, but you can’t just say “Don’t look over here!” and expect people to fall for it.
Betty is playing SPIDERMAN today.
Maybe it’s in honour of “Turn Off The Dark” closing on Broadway…
“On one hand, the OBA are seeking ways to cut the jobs of Bermudians while on the other they are hiring persons such as Don Grearson and Charmaine Burgess to write columns for MP Atherden at a cost of $250,000.00 per year.”
Apparently Glenn Jones, Wayne Caines, Jamahl Simmons,Dale Jackson, Davfid Burt, Rolfe Commissiong and all the other PLP consultants and Cabinet Office political appointments worked for free.
“MP Atherden states that the PLP’s call to look for ways to raise revenue is “a pipe dream”. Ironically, MP Richards acknowledged in the House the need to increase revenue.”
There isn’t a person alive who does not believe that the long term solution to Bermuda’s fiscal problems is to grow the economy as a means of increasing revenue. But talking about seabed mining as a means of increasing revenue this year or next year is a total pipe dream.
I am really sick and tired of politics in Bermuda. It would seem that whomever the opposition is they will only find fault with the ruling party. As soon as the lot of you see that Bermuda is in DIRE straits and get off this blame/race train we might make it to the next station. Other than that I am looking at Iceland or Scandinavia to go to as a political refugee.
At least the OBA have a plan,the late Ray Charles could see the PLP had no plan!
A blind person could see that Ray Charles could see that OBA don’t have one either.
The only things the OBA have accomplished are gay rights and Alcohol on Sunday’s.
You have GOT to stop spreading misinformation.
Your post is simply not true.
After looking and listening to a lot of political satire and opinions expressed here and elsewhere, I have reached the following conclusion:
The main reason that the OBA is in political power is because the MAJORITY of people want change.
Here is the dilemma now:
1. One segment of voters voted for a change of political faces/attitudes based on their exhaustion from the political faces/attitudes of the preceding years.
2. Yet another segment of constituents voted for a change based on the hope that a change in Government would result in maintenance of their accustomed style of life, i.e. likeminded people in the position of Government would all but guarantee this.
3. Even more voted based on the “desperation” ticket with the attitude that “something’s got to give” and the other lot are surely different.
Here’s the “kicker” – not many of these three subgroups are not unified across socio-economic lines (don’t take the race card out – this is just a fact). In addition, they know very little about each other based on the fact that no one TRULY knows how the other person voted and to have these people together for the common good is damn near impossible. The probability of combining these groups is next to 1 in 1 quintillion.
Because of the differing views of these groups – Bermuda is a long way from true unity and support. The same voter base (or at least the mentality) that kept the PLP in power is far from gone and it may take another political generation (2019?) to be in a position to have learned from the mistakes of this new Government in order to forge BERMUDA forward. I must add that the voter base must learn from its mistakes and realize that voting isn’t based on who “looks like you”, “who suffered like you”, who progressed like you” but is based on who may have done all of the previously listed in the preceding sentence BUT is also of the moral fortitude to ensure that whether they did or didn’t do anything like you that they will work tirelessly not to sell their souls to the proverbial devil (and there are a lot of them out there) yet come up with tangible solutions to our socio-economic state and the flexibility to adjust those plans and align them with what the electorate can understand and implement them with surgical precision and political savvy without the “kiss the baby’s faces and make hollow promises approach of yesteryear”.
Yes you do need the human factor to be applied but not at the expense of pleasing everybody – everybody doesn’t vote for the Government of the day but they sure as heck are meant to be represented by the Government of the day.
That is all
excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OBA,the party of the present and the future!
Thanks Kangoocar and Inna for always looking to debate with me. Sorry you missing me. But I am still in transition. I see that this article and comments from Spiderman is killing the diehard blindfaithfulness UBPoba fans, REALLY
THanks for giving me such a great laugh Kangoocar, it really is funny how you behave…seems like the same UBP persona coming out.
lol.
I must be the UBPoba biggest fan ! thanks for your daily support.
Give it up betty, you will never fool me!!! Spiderman, paperdoll, god first, and all the other nonsense names you and your army of Bettie’s come up with have never fooled me and you know it!!!! LOL
Clearly they have since God1st isn’t one of them. As for why “Betty” comments here boggles my mind since “it” isn’t Bermudian and the issue of voting, which “it” so commonly refers to doesn’t apply to “it”. Also “it” claims to use its real name yet needs to use multiple e-mail accounts to comment. Bermuda would be better if “it” f***ed off.
So! It is safe to assume you are having trouble with spelling it, so you are practicing ?? And it also is safe to assume you have a problem with Bermuda?? And by the way, god 1st was a name being used by the plp propaganda machine on the other blogs, I don’t care what you say!!!
I used “it” because I don’t know for fact whether or not “Betty” is male or female or even human based on some of their comments. How do I have a problem with Bermuda? God1st is simply a racist and I have seen anti-plp and pro-oba comments from them so that doesn’t exactly fit your description. Of course you don’t care what I say because your an oba groupie, I prefer not to support either and hold them accountable when necessary, they do work for us after all.
I have read all the comments and I did not see ONE suggested solution to our County’s economic problems from the Trump Troop. Remember… if Government provides jobs like the plp did for, it seems, ALL of their family & friends, it COSTS taxpayers money! WE pay those “employees!”
However, if the private sector creates new jobs the Gov’t MAKES money via taxes. And we hope that Gaming will create new revenue for our Gov’t. So why fight it?
We MUST encourage private sector invstment (new hotels) because that is our only hope. Really. And Gaming might attract new hotel development.
Great work, Mike, keep calling the Trump Troop on their B.S.