Column: Simmons On Fiscal Responsibility & More
[Opinion column written by PLP MP Jamahl Simmons]
For years, the OBA have preached their version of “shared sacrifice” to Bermudians. They told us to accept cuts to services and scholarships, freezes, and furloughs all under their version of “fiscal responsibility.”
Now they are telling Bermudians once again to put their needs aside and be denied the direct benefit of the new Corporate Income Tax.
With the vast amounts of tax revenue coming in, it would be foolish not to make big moves to bring down the debt. Yet, it would also be heartless not to put some of that money towards the clear and immediate needs of our people.
The OBA disagrees with our approach but our people have seen what their approach looks like.
When the OBA spent $100 million of public money toward The America’s Cup, there was no talk of restraint. No warnings about their government living beyond its means.
In fact, despite the fact that the economic review stated that 64% of the businesses that benefited from America’s Cup had owners that identified as White, they continue to boast about it.
When the OBA signed the airport and Morgan’s Point deals that have cost our country millions there was no talk about fiscal responsibility.
The reality is that the OBA wants us to think this is a debate on whether the PLP is fiscally responsible or not, but it isn’t; it’s about how we can put our people first.
The Corporate Income Tax means more than paying down the debt. It means investing in our youth, moving towards universal healthcare, building more housing for our people and more.
Bermudians across the island did not elect us to tell our people that their challenges aren’t a priority and they absolutely do not want a government that takes an OBA-like approach.
Why do I say that?
They believe as so many of us do, that when the OBA speaks of a “bloated civil service” what they are really saying is that Bermudan jobs are expendable, that community investment is wasteful, and that those struggling should just “get over it.”
To us fiscal responsibility and social responsibility are not diametrically opposed, they are inseparable.
That’s why we made one of the most progressive changes to our tax system by shifting the burden away from those of us who can least afford to pay.
That’s why we pushed through Bermuda’s first minimum wage over the objections of some in the private sector. Not because their opinions didn’t matter, but because their opinions for too long have mattered more than everyone else’s needs.
So I ask you:
Do we accept an approach where those who need housing, our youth who need opportunities and safer streets and those who can’t make ends meet are ignored?
Or do we believe that we can take a balanced approach that addresses our people’s needs and pays off our debt?
- Jamahl Simmons, Constituency #33, Sandys South
The blatant gaslighting and lack of self-awareness on display here is alarming, albeit comical.
Many would be correct to criticise the PLP as being fiscally irresponsible, and our massive public debt is the glaring evidence of that. Along with a string of mismanaged public projects under the PLP’s governance (KEMH, Grand Atlantic, Savvy Entertainment, Sandys 360, just to name a few…).
The most funny statement here by Mr. Simmons is: ["They believe, as so many of us do, that when the OBA speaks of a “bloated civil service,” what they are really saying is that Bermudian jobs are expendable, that community investment is wasteful, and that those struggling should just “get over it.”].
No, Jamahl, the fact is that if the civil service wasn’t bloated, we’d be better equipped to protect Bermudian jobs, invest more in the community, and provide assistance to those in need. The real issue is that the taxpayer is hamstrung by paying exorbitant sums for MP salaries who spend their time writing silly op-eds like this rather than fixing the country.
“With the vast amounts of tax revenue coming in”
The obvious problem with that statement is that much of the “vast amounts of tax revenue coming in” goes to paying interest on our nearly $4 billion current account debt and not one penny of CIT has been received by the Government.