At a time when the country is crying out for serious politics; serious and sober policies and a Team that knows what to do, we are hearing about: “A Kadooment Budget!’ But Barbadians must reflect on the wise counsel of National Hero, the Rt. Excellent, E.W Barrow – who cautioned in his ‘Mirror Image Speech,’ ‘not to let politician bribe you with your own money.’
Even at a time when the DLP is making reference to the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Report and telling the country that it is on top of things and that the economy is sound – we are hearing that even more Barbadians are going on the bread-line, while still others will be asked to work reduced hours: increasing unemployment and massive under-employment.
Barbadians must therefore guard against accepting political-hush-money and must remember the famous words by Laocoon to the Trojans: “Trojans trust not the horse. Whatever it be, I fear the Greeks even when bringing gifts.”
That Barbadians will not be called upon to pay higher taxes during the forthcoming Budget and talk about a tax-free budget – is either a realisation that Barbadians are already ‘taxed to the max,’ and could not reasonably be expected to pay anymore or any new DLP taxes or a case of the DLP being trapped by its own propaganda, as regards the recent S&P Report. How could the DLP use the S&P Report to convince the country that the economy is good and that all is well and then not reduce fees and taxes in an up-coming budget? However, it would seem that the DLP had not noticed but the entire country was struggling for some time now to avoid dying of thirst and starvation, as a result of its high cost of living and its 60% water increase. That is how you know that the DLP is merely engaging in the “politics of politics,” while people are suffering.
Never in the history of this country have Barbadians been asked to pay such high taxes, as they are now forced to do, under this DLP Government – even though (except for keeping a huge DLP Cabinet employed) there is nothing to show for the sacrifice the people are being called upon to make. Already there are reports that some 30,000 might be driving without Road Tax. People are hurting and are in severe pain, while our society and economy are crumbling under the DLP’s economic whip and dangerous mismanagement.
But, what “ease” could the DLP possibly give Barbadians? Is it going to reduce the VAT from 17.5%? Is it going to reduce the Excise Tax; give Public Servants upwards of a 3% increase; reduce the VAT on Electricity Bills as promised; reduce the $104 million in taxes and fees imposed in the 2008 Budget and adjust the Land Tax bands or rate?
Unless the DLP has (a) finally found a way to reduce the high cost of living, as it promised in 2007, (b) decides to resign or call general election or (c) is prepared to roll-back the $104 million in taxes and fees it imposed in its 2008 budget – then there will be ‘no ease’ in its up-coming budget It will just be: “A Gravy-Train Kadooment Budget” intended to serve as a distraction tactic, in the hope that Barbadians would make the error and say: well things real hard but the Government still giving we an ease! Barbadians, guard your minds! “Trojans trust not the horse. Whatever it be, I fear the Greeks even when bringing gifts.”
That type of old-style-politics has to end. Still, there are people out there who do not care if Sunday comes on a Tuesday, yet they are making judgments that negatively affect other people’s lives. It is like a man who speeds on the road and crashed into your car, even though you are a safe driver. In a way, the DLP is right! That Barbados is in this economic crisis today (even though – faced with the same global conditions the DLP likes to complain about – the Guyana economy NEVER once went into recession) – is not entirely the DLP’s fault: others have to share the responsibility: Those who ‘might’ have voted for it based on incentives received and those who gave it campaign contributions.
But while the DLP might not be totally responsible for the mess, as the Government of Barbados – it is ultimately liable. Unfortunately, the DLP does not want to be held accountable and so – it blames the global financial crisis, oil prices, the BLP and everyone but itself. Let’s get serious! If the DLP is sincere about wanting to give Barbadians an ease, the only sensible option is to call elections.
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