Furbert: PLP Calls For Quality Of Life Study

August 14, 2014

“With massive unemployment, cuts to financial assistance and many churches and charities required to do more with less, Bermuda is in never before seen circumstances,” said Shadow Business Development Minister Wayne Furbert.

Mr. Furbert continued, “The Bermuda Progressive Labour Party believes that public policy decisions must be informed by the facts as they stand today and not what we assume them to be. That’s why the PLP recommends that the government immediately initiate a Quality of Life Study.

“That’s why the PLP recommends that the government immediately initiate a Quality of Life Study.

“Bermudians need hope and need to know that the real circumstances surrounding wages, living expenses and the overall well being of Bermudians are known to the government of the day and informs their decisions going forward.

“This was a valuable tool in previous decades and will be invaluable in ensuring that no one is being left behind as we seek to revitalize our economy.

“Let’s work together to see how our people are really making out in one of the wealthiest countries in the world and do all we can to guarantee that we truly are building a Bermuda that works for Bermudians.”

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Comments (59)

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  1. Double D says:

    What does a quality of life study include?

    A little bit more information would be helpful.

    • Family Man says:

      It includes a nice fat consulting fee for sure.

      • Tested says:

        Does anyone even answer these surveys and studies honestly? Most people I know intentionally don’t answer questions about money, age, politics, or race correctly.

        Nothing is ever done with the info gathered anyway. Who benefits from it, maybe just the political parties that use this info to learn how to BS us.

        Sure Wayne, have another million dollar survey done to gather info we already know. People are suffering and many are unemployed. The LAST thing we need is another million dollar survey that will give us info that nobody will use.

        • Tested says:

          Isn’t asking for a study of this type an admission that you are not in touch with the people? Just stop and talk to the people in the streets – like Sir John Swan did.

  2. Navin Johnson says:

    Another incoherent speech by Wayne

  3. pressing the flush says:

    Furbie shut up,your useless lot caused all this to happen.
    Many of us wish you would just all go away,you are not wanted.

  4. somuchless says:

    Furbert. In your closing sentence it is unfair to put Bermuda for bermudans. If that is your mentality that Bermuda should be this way than I’m shocked. Bermuda has and will always need foreign investment and people. Get over yourself.

    • Impressive says:

      ERRRR.. Rewind.. Are you lambasting Wayne Furbert for stating “building a better Bermuda for Bermudians”? Since when does a politician get ridiculed for stating that he wants to build a better home or community etc for the people that reside in the home, community etc.. what next.. and 22 people liked what you stated.. I am in awe,, truly

    • Impressive says:

      I guess they would like to hear Obama say, we are building a better America for the Chinese? what next..

      • Allspice says:

        Heh,

        Yes as far as I can tell the Bermuda Government is elected to serve Bermudians, and while foreign investment and also talent are components of that Bermuda is in the end for Bermudians because we are the ones who will have to continue living here for better or worse. Others can and do leave when it all goes down the drain. So somuchless was probably not thinking too hard when he posted that.

        That said I bet Furbert would love to have a big survey to pick apart and find fault in. It would be a valuable tool for any opposition. Good luck getting a sitting government to pay for it when they can be sure that it will be used by the opposition exclusively for political purposes not practical ones.

    • Rich says:

      Ok–let’s see, what country doesn’t require foreign investement? The US is heavily leveraged to the Chinese.The Chinese and Korean money in Canada has a huge impact on their economy. We could go on and on but I think you get the point. We live in a global economy, all interdependent on the other and yes, that icludes Bermuda.

  5. Triangle Drifter says:

    Has Furby fallen off the top of his pyramid &discovered something he & his newfound friends created only a few years ago or is this week his turn to make nonsensical noise?

    We have not hit bottom yet but the rate of descent has slowed thanks to the OBA despite the PLP &BIU best efforts to continue the freefall.

  6. Dockyard Lackey says:

    Did I just read that Vain Wayne said we are one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Who needs to legalize drugs. Let’s just all try what Wayne is on.

    • Raymond Ray says:

      I would imagine he doesn’t quite understand where it is that Bermuda stands in the World of Economics.
      (Bermudas head is so far up into its rear end that it’s impossible to see day light)

  7. Al says:

    Good idea.

    We should objectively measure the outcomes of economic and social policy.

    I don’t think Wayne Furbert has thought this through since we seem to be at the trough of the recession and any statistics are likely to improve as the damage the PLP has done to Bermuda starts to be fixed.

  8. Joonya says:

    Let me ge this straight. Furby, you lot spent us into a monumental hole, then ‘recommend’ the OBA to spend more to find out why we are in a hole?!?!?
    You have no shame. That’s the only conclusion I can come up with.
    Lord help us if you ever get back in power with your idiotic mindset. Seriously.

    • js says:

      I remember speaking to Walter Roban years ago and he was telling me how the PLP were gonna conduct a study on the plight of young black Bermudian men

      I remember thinking to myself aren’t you yourself a young black Bermudian man so why then would you need a study to tell you the obvious

    • Tell it like it is says:

      It’s amazing that only a few years ago when Mr. Furbert was on the other side of the house he was the best thing since sliced bread. Now that he is with the PLP he is an idiot and useless . As long as he was allowing himself to be used by the establishment he was a good man. What a damn shame. Wake up people.

      • Tolerate says:

        Yup, and the PLP talked him down worst than a dog????? Now that he is with the PLP he is the greatest thing since slice bread…. Funny right? Shame, wake-up….
        Really???

  9. Cow Polly says:

    Great idea Wayne, why doesn’t the PLP perform the study to assist our government? You saying they don’t consult you – with this little gem, they may well do!

  10. Eyes Wide Open says:

    Seriously? So you’re not getting a big, fat govenment cheque anymore so you are now saying that “Bermuda is in never before seen circumstances”. Well I Never… (rolls eyes down de hill)

  11. Crab Mentality says:

    How about a “Post PLP Quality of Life Study”?

  12. aceboy says:

    This will help the economy…how?

  13. hmmm says:

    Really ?

    I think All of Bermuda already knows what position the last lot put the people in and their negative impact from anti-campaigns, over borrowing and suicide economics.

    We will be paying for it for the rest of our adult lives.

  14. Creamy says:

    An idea to spend other people’s money on consultants for a pointless report. Not really a surprise is it.

    How about a survey on how much we hate the useless c***s in the PLP? I’d chip in to pay for that.

  15. Typhoon says:

    If I remember correctly, wasn’t the PLP Administration the main cause of this massive unemployment problem and the magical disappearance of hundreds of millions of $s leaving Bermuda and her people with a huge burden of debt to pay off. And now you and your PLP party expect the new OBA administration to resolve this mess and bail your sorry butts out while you stab them in the back. Get a life numb-two floppy, dangly thingy’s.

  16. Raymond Ray says:

    Wayne you are beginning to make sense…unfortunately the average citizen isn’t too sure about you :-( What was that old saying,”dazzle you with diamonds and then fill your head with B/S”?

  17. ya right says:

    We already know that information. The cost of living in Bermuda is very high. Take a look at the costs in the island including homes, groceries, utilities and compare it to the income across the board. The island is expensive and most people are just getting by. The recession hasn’t helped either. There are still tons of people without jobs. It’s too bad the OBA nor the PLP have a solution. They just continue to play the blame game.

  18. Bermuda Bouy says:

    FLIP FLOP FLIP FLOP and so on!

  19. Terry says:

    More propaganda from a person who switches political parties like beef pies.

    Operation Pressure Cooker working well for them; PLP.

    Stay tuned for others.

    Where is Chris Famouss, Betty et al.

    What we need is a Commission of Enquiry re the missing $800 Million.

    Where is the Auditor General.

    Larry Dennis is laughing his socks off after spending time in jail but hopefully and realistictly knows what is going on.

    We need to clean this s+*7 up and move on.

    Chris and Wayne may be a duo but their battery is dead.
    Viva La Revolution.

    Sad.
    Shalom.

  20. Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

    I reiterate again why BERMUDIANS are being called DUMB and STUPID…i just can’t absorb anymore of the ineptness which seems to have become a contagion upon this miniscule coral oasis where i had the pleasure of being born n raised. Man!…i gotta go back an make sure i read this article correctly for the fourth time…smfh!

  21. It Sucks says:

    The 3 Puppeteers (sp) Wayne, Zane and Rabain, this weeks mouthpiece of incoherent nonsense from the plp. Who is on next weeks show??

  22. Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

    “With massive unemployment, cuts to financial assistance and many churches and charities required to do more with less, Bermuda is in never before seen circumstances,”…WELL GUESS WHAT WAYNE…YOU AINK SEEN NOTHING YET…WE ARE NO WHERE CLOSE, TO BE WHERE WE ARE GONNA BE, IF YOU AND YOUR FOLLOWERS CONTINUE ON THE ROAD YOU TRAVEL. Once again…YOUR FINANCIAL STATUS IS YOUR PASSPORT IN LIFE…NO FREE RIDES…SO YA’LL BEDDA HARDEN UP. We were not born with hands to put out palms up but hands so that you may work the earth for self survival…if you gotta go back to basics then fine accept that and live happy…Elitists are born every day…but YOU n I aren’t one of them. Once you can deal with your denial then acceptance will usher in happiness…i’ll leave it at that.

  23. Sparky says:

    Do you trust the ex-leader of the UBP ? W. Furbert and Z. Desilver both need a lot more fibre in their diet. Perhaps all the cr@p will then exit the correct orifice !!!

  24. Scotty says:

    Yep great idea! Let us spend a fortune to tell us all how we are feeling during this recession/depression. We would never know how we are feeling until an expensive consultant tells us. Such utter drivel. And we wonder why we have no financial resources.keep it up PLP, same ole, same ole!

  25. Collection plate says:

    Can this guy run a small business?

  26. Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

    “If a nation expects to be both ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” now research that.

  27. Mumbojumbo says:

    Aren’t politics like a who dunnit on an elevator on a hot day with a fellow passenger didn’t know enough not to mix black rum,raw peanuts,coldslaw,and franks and beans at the same lunch counter?……I know why we are in this predicament…..you know it too…..but for plp to stand deah an say dis heahhh…..what utter contempt……you lot should be ashamed of yourselves……..shame on you……I will say no more on this matter.

  28. Cleancut says:

    Why don’t you ask the thousands of IB workers that roll into work every morning in thier brand new Kia’s and VW’s. Ask them how thier life has been since the PLP were booted!!!

    • Really says:

      I think that’s the whole point pyramids schemes don’t work you gotta get outta bed in the morning and produce something of value for someone or something

  29. The Underground Movement says:

    A study on the Quality of Life in Bermuda”
    What a waste of time and effort – we already know the deal Mrs Furbert – we don’t need your input ! – are you trying to get into the Political Spotlight.
    Its not hard to see the deteriorating quality of life of at least 60% of Bermudians if something doesn’t happen within the
    next 12 months.- either way were going to be a 22 sq mile disaster.

    Forecast of Horror! for Bermuda.- the Year 2021
    45% Residents living in Poverty
    60% inflation
    60% unemployment
    The Bermuda Dollar worth only 25 cents to the US Dollar
    30% of the Population would have Fled
    UN run food program
    Long lines for Food
    Crime up by 90% – includes the 200 murders a year
    Gangs control poverty stricken areas in Bermuda with AK 47”s
    Rampant Police Brutality
    Apartheid in specific areas in Bermuda too protect those with Wealthy
    and 10 billion Dollars in Debt !

    This what will happen if the OBA fails to bring back the quality of life for the common man.- after this
    the PLP will finally finish off the Island.

  30. Just a matter of time says:

    SMH. His article was stating nothing but trying positive solutions for the betterment of all Bermudians, not negative. Keep up the nasty rhetoric, code words and vitriol all you hateful right winged bloggers. MANY MANY voters, especially those who stayed at home in the last election read these and are taking note.. Deja vu of the vitriol in the lead up to the 1998 election. Keep it up!

  31. Collection plate says:

    The quality of life for we Bermudians,will get better under the present govt.

  32. money says:

    Here’s your survey on the quality of my life and many average Bermudians.

    40 hour week @ 17/hour = 680.00. before deductions.

    rent= 1600.00/month ( 1 bedroom shared with my child)
    belco= 250.00/month
    groceries= 800.00/month ( barely enough to give nutritional meals every day)

    i’ll stop there cause i’ve run out of money…

    • Red Pepper says:

      $250/month for Belco in a 1 bed apartment?? I’m less than a $100.

      You really can get nutritional meals for less than $200 a week.

  33. Watching says:

    Most of You just talk. What are you doing to improve the lives of Bermudians.

    The United Bermuda Party did a Survey when Sir John Swan was Premier. Why nit now?

    The Europeans do a quality of Life Survey every 5 years.

    The European quality of life survey (EQLS) examines a range of issues, such as employment, income, education, housing, family, health, work-life balance, life satisfaction and perceived quality of society. http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/areas/qualityoflife/eqls/

    Maybe many of you are happy with your Quality of Life, but there are many Bermudians who are not.

  34. MB says:

    Nobody in Bermuda – not PLP nor OBA seems to understand quality of life will never improve until Tourism and moreover residential ‘tourism’ revives. More people = more money.

    So:
    A. Continue THE all foreigners and intl business is bad approach and wait forever-and-see on developers while they do due diligence and ultimately conclude (maybe Bermuda is not such a good idea.)
    or
    B. Do whatever it takes, sell citizenship, houses, offers zero tax to developers and give them a casino and stop the strikes.

    Then we can all find second jobs again, and moreover well paying jobs and our local businesses will thrive again. Look around – there is maybe 1 or 2 jobs a day that Bermudians are qualified for and will land. That = a depression that will continue for the foreseeable future. But if Bermudians want to continue striking and scaring developers and putting out there that we dont want intl business – and even – we r better off without it (really??), TCI will continue to benefit and rest of Caribbean and we will die as our young people head elsewhere.

    @money- I get what u r saying and u r right but u can cut your belco bill and groceries- just budget better- u just have one child, I do 800 for more and it’s nutritional.

    • money says:

      yes we can all make more cuts.. i already don’t have cable or a cell phone.
      i still pay for bus and summer camps and school clothes.

      Nutritional for under 800/month.. Would like to see your menu, I give a full breakfast to start the day, fresh fruit and vegetables in lunches and dinner. I do not buy chips and cookies and snacks which are less expensive than fresh fruit and vegetables. I’d rather spend the money to give healthy food to my child.

  35. Just a matter of time says:

    Need to start looking at taxing the super rich…progressively.

    • After which .... says:

      After which they leave? And then what?

    • Creamy says:

      Are you suggesting taxing the people that you don’t want living here? Oh what genius.

      What exactly do you think they will do?

      Here’s a clue. What happened when Cox increased Payroll Tax to 16%?
      Oh yeah. She reduced it after thousands left the island and unemployment skyrocketed.

  36. JCS says:

    What do these guys do to be constantly being quoted in the media while the House isn’t in session? Do they phone up the media and say “hey, I’ve something to say. Please print/broadcast it! You have Zane Desilva talking nonsense (nothing different there), and now Wayne Furbert. If he wants this survey done, why doesn’t he wear out some shoe leather, and talk to people himself?

  37. Rich says:

    Wayne—-the PLP / You had 14 years to address this issue but if you’re honest, you will agree that you took a different route and FIRST took care of yourselves.

    There are many of us that stood by this party and had HUGE hopes for a better outcome only to be let down, time and time again.

    I have have but one question for you, Doc, Jennifer, Renee, the Col., Randy, et al and that is…WHY did you think that we voted you in to take care of you?

    Or was it that you really didn’t care what we thought?