Comments on: Column: ‘Island Too Driven By Partisan Politics’

By: newperspective

newperspective — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 20:20:03 +0000

I rest my case! That is what party politics is all about. Me first, and family and friends next.

Thank you for reminding me!!

By: sandgrownan

sandgrownan — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 19:40:33 +0000

No, you’re wrong. Nice “let’s all be friends” pieces like this don’t wash when you have a) the reply to the budget that lays it out all nicely and b) today’s column on “the tax and spend” PLP is similarly accurate.

IF you don’t think so, read the statement by BitCoin Dave about the “grace and favour” consulting gigs to friendlies. Sherri J as a consultant? To what exactly?

And the EU is adding us to their blacklist.

By: newperspective

newperspective — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 18:52:13 +0000

I’m not suggesting, they are to blame and share the responsibility! You stop and think about it!!

If there is no money and you borrow to pay undeclared debts, or doubtful obligations, you (OBA) accepted the wrong doing, thus put the taxpayer further into debt!

And, by the way, the $1 billion wasn’t all undeclared debt, or should I say, part of the “dogs breakfast”.

The OBA (UBP/BDA), while in power, could have and should have made legislative changes to our financial reporting structure to greatly minimize the rampant disregard of the taxpayer’s purse, lead by ministers, I might add.

They decided to leave the backdoor open to make life easier for them. In the end, ministers can get away by simply declaring “executive privilege”.

By: Joe Bloggs

Joe Bloggs — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 16:01:24 +0000

Dear Mr. Tavares, thank you for a well written column. I agree with most of what you said but a few things require elaboration. Fist, the OBA (UBP/BDA) added an additional $1 billion to the national debt after 5 years at the helm. Part of that was undeclared debt that Bermuda already owned but the previous government never told us about. Second, the Bermuda budget was such that Bermuda had to borrow more money just to make interest payments on our debt up to and including 2012 and thereafter. Another legacy of the previous government. The OBA (UBP/BDA) government could have made drastic economic changes in Bermuda but that would have other consequences. Business does not like drastic or unexpected economic changes and Bermuda’s is a business economy, whether we like it or not.

As for party politics, I wholeheartedly agree with you, but our Constitution guarantees freedom of association and as long as like minded people wish to gather and promote the agenda of the PLP there is nothing that can be done about it.

By: fools

fools — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 15:34:26 +0000

the same nick kempe that runs his family trucking business.
what does he know

By: Sandgrownan

Sandgrownan — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 14:08:17 +0000

Tavares is incorrect again.

It’s wrong to suggest that the OBA share blame for the debt. They don’t and he’s stupid for suggesting so. Go and read Nick Kempe’s reply to the budget for a chronological look at how we got into debt.

By: lav

lav — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 14:01:18 +0000

“When will we wake up to focusing on issues!”

never!
Bermuda thrives on its perpetual race war.

By: Realist

Realist — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 13:06:47 +0000

A great piece which I’ll only add that we have partisan race baiting politics. All of which has become tiresome, ineffective and non-productive. When will we wake up to focusing on issues!

By: Rocky5

Rocky5 — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 11:48:38 +0000

People always vote with their hearts not their heads.

By: Proven

Proven — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 00:09:27 +0000

If the private sector will not hire the Berkley(ites) they will vote for a government that will employ them – pay one way or the other. It will be a disaster! We all have a choice.