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Are The Elites In Barbados Serious About Restructuring The Economy?

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Submitted by Ellis Chase
Pat Hoyos and Peter Boos labelled 'Barbados Elites'

Is it the Administration or the People Who Cannot Make Tough Choices?

Since the change in administration in 2008 and the ongoing global economic challenges, the need for restructuring the economy and the failure of the government to make tough choices has been a constant mantra in Bim. This mantra has been constant on this blog, in the media especially by the elite commentators such as Pat Hoyos and Peter Boos, Professional Economists and Members of the Opposition. The debate in Bim has been hijacked by this group which in my opinion is defined by a couple of features:

  1. A focus on conspicuous consumption and a high carbon lifestyle, which they want to maintain at any cost;
  2. A disdain for the working class, trades unions and public officers;
  3. A “Tea Party” like ideological opposition to any taxes;
  4. A disdain for agriculture and manufacturing.

Let us look back at the 2008 budget as I develop my argument. If my memory is correct in 2008, the media and our elites framed the budget as the budget of free bus fares for school children, summer camps and tax increases to kill Bajans and destroy the economy. Now if one were to take an objective look at the budget, the proposed revenue raising measures amounted to ($104ml), proposed incentives and grants were ($82ml). Of the revenue measures the cell phone tax ($13,9ml), gambling tax ($4.4ml) and the tax on gambling winnings ($8.7ml), were definitely never implemented.

Our elite commentators such as the upper middle class crew on this blog and Pat Hoyos, Peter Boos etc. in the tired main stream media focused on free bus fares and summer camps because of their disdain for the working class, which tends to include public officers and union membership.

Now if they were serious about reform and say moving to a more energy efficient and green economy, free bus fares for school children could have been seen as the state providing an incentive for all parents in Bim to make greater use of public transport in getting their kids to and from school. This would help with the traffic problems and reduce fuel usage. But the elite, middle class and aspiring middle class children in Bim catch the bus. Hell no! And how dare you increase the cost of licensing and registering our fuel guzzling big rides in the same budget where you give freeness to the lower classes.

Are our elites serious about restructuring the economy, making tough personal choices and changing habits? In terms of their travel habits clearly no, and don’ t tell me this is about the efficiency of the Transport Board. Actually, I think if certain kinds of people start taking the bus, the service will change. The the elite, middle class and aspiring middle class in Bim are firmly wedded to their high carbon lifestyle, and they and their children are not catching bus in Bim, they will do so when in London, NY etc.. This is class warfare my friends!

I now take the liberty of listing the measures in the 2008 budget related to alternative energy. Now I am no expert on alternative energy and whether or not these were the right incentives. But my point is, did these measures even make it on stage in terms of the issues raised by our elite commentators in the after budget debate, if only to critique their inadequacy.

Now if people were serious about reform, passing on fuel costs, increase vehicle costs and the various incentives below could be seen as a carrot and sticks across to build a greener, more fuel efficient economy. The elites are uninterested in the carrots, and opposed to the sticks because they are defined by:

  • A focus on conspicuous consumption and a high carbon lifestyle, which they want to maintain at any cost;
  • A “Tea Party” like ideological opposition to any taxes;

Despite their mantra of fiscal sustainability and no handouts, the state must subsidize their fuel consumption.

Are our elites serious about restructuring the economy and making tough choices? In terms of their energy and fuel consumption, clearly no. What the elites want are big, public sector funded projects from which they can reap largesse. Adjust their lifestyles, hell no! The elite, middle class and aspiring middle class in Bim are firmly wedded to their high carbon lifestyle, and they will destroy anyone who seeks to mess with it. They are the ones who are unwilling to make a number of the tough choices needed to restructure the economy. Don’t let them confuse you! In my next post I want to focus on agriculture and the 2008 budget.

Alternative Energy Measures in the 2008 Budget

  • The price of petroleum products and LPG will be adjusted monthly by the Ministry of Trade on the advice of the Division of Energy based on the prices paid for these products by the importers and in accordance with the formula that has been approved by the Cabinet.
  • Currently, there exists in the Income Tax Act provision for the cost of energy audits up to $2,000.00 to be deducted as part of the general Income Tax Allowance for Home Improvement of $10,000 in any one year. I propose now to create a separate allowance called the Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Deduction of a maximum of $5,000.00 per year over each of five (5) years to cover the costs of an energy audit and fifty per cent of the cost of retrofitting a residence or installing a system to produce electricity from a source other than fossil fuels. This applies also to businesses whether incorporated or unincorporated.
  • Cabinet has also approved Government approaching the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) for assistance in preparing the appropriate legislation that would require the Barbados Light and Power Co. Ltd. purchase all electricity produced from renewable energy sources and offered for sale to Barbados Light and Power by independent power producers at rates set by the Fair Trading Commission.
  • Under Part II B item 87 of the Customs Tariff, various items of wind turbines, photovoltaic components and systems, biofuel systems, hydropower systems, solar thermal systems, wave or tidal power systems, fuel cell systems and geothermal heat pump systems are exempted from import duty (20%) and environmental levy, on the basis of ministerial approval. The need for ministerial approval in each and every instance will no longer apply and these items will automatically enjoy the concession from the Customs.

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126 responses to “Are The Elites In Barbados Serious About Restructuring The Economy?”

  1. Business man Avatar
    Business man

    David, the more I read this post the more I like it. Its real provocative. I don’t agree wiht all the views but the questions are real?

    Are our elites who shape public debate serious about economic re-structuring? Are the people ready to make tough choices?

  2. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    Our leaders and luminaries are always talking about fashioning Barbados after the Singapore Model. How many of them are now willing to go the recently established Singapore route where salary cuts are being levelled against the Prime Minister and other top office holders. The PM will suffer a 36% cut , while the President will see a 51% reduction in compensation, and all because of ‘voter unhappiness over a widening income gap weakened support for the ruling party in last years election.”
    Like the Westminster Model, this is where our local politicians draw the line.

  3. Business man Avatar
    Business man

    In Singapore car ownership is extremely expensive. ( I spent three month there in 2006). Therefore many if not most people use public transport.

    Most people live in housing sold by the state, hence the homes are all designed to be very energy efficient and space is well used.

    The governing party is the elite, its tells the private sector what is to be done.

    Nothing like bim, so I don’t buy the singapore model thing.

  4. Zoe Avatar
    Zoe

    A little interregnum for the BU family to consider between the postulations of the so-called ‘Elite’ and the future of Bimshire in 2012!

    Even more calendars predict End in 2012
    Demonic plan culminating in Jesus’ 2nd Coming hiding in plain sight?

    Does the Great Seal of the United States point to 2012 for the end of the current age and the dawn of a “new order of the ages?”

    With all the hype about the ancient Mayan calendar suggesting the demise of human civilization taking place in 2012, an American author wants everyone to know that other calendars predict the same outcome, and he claims a demonic plot bringing about the end date could be hiding in plain sight inside the U.S. Capitol and your wallet right now.

    Tom Horn, a Bible-believing Christian and author of “Apollyon Rising 2012,” says he never actually had an interest in the Mayan calendar, which comes to a cyclical end on Dec. 21, 2012. But then he became aware of numerous unrelated calendars and prophecies spanning many centuries, all predicting the end of the current human age at next year’s winter solstice.

    “I started finding that it wasn’t just the Maya,” Horn told WND, noting prognostications from Jewish mystics, as well as the ancient Chinese, Hindus, Cherokee Indians, and even artwork among famous American symbols that all point to the same time frame.

    Despite not having telescopes, the Mayan people of Central America were extremely accurate observers of celestial movements, with the zenith of their civilization occurring between A.D. 250 and 900.

    “The Maya understood this procession of the equinox, basically not to end, but to roll over, to start over,” in December 2012, Horn explained.

    He says their prophets coupled that date “with prophecies of unrest on Earth after which a new form of man appears on Earth, plus the return of their dragon god, a flying serpent who has the power of air.”

    “The Aztec saw the same thing, a flying serpent, Quetzalcoatl,” Horn said, adding, “their calendar ends in 2012.”

    He says the Kali Yuga calendar of the Hindus forecasts global changes around 2012, and China’s “Book of Changes,” also known as the “I-Ching,” predicts the end for the same year.

    A timeline graph created in 1973 based on China’s Book of Changes, or I-Ching, shows the line plunging entirely off the graph precisely on Dec. 21, 2012.

    Horn says 38 years ago, when scientists Terrence and Dennis McKenna created a stock-market-like linear graph based on the “I-Ching,” the timeline abruptly plunged off the graph into infinity on precisely Dec. 21, 2012.

    “This finding is all the more astonishing given that McKenna’s research was published in 1973 independent of any knowledge of the ending date in the Mayan calendar,” Horn noted.

    Meanwhile, the Zohar, a collection of books in the mystical Jewish Kabbalah that first debuted in Spain in the 13th century, talks about the coming of the Messiah at the same general time the other calendars forecast the end.

    It predicts in late 2012, “All the kings of the world will assemble in the great city of Rome, and the Holy One will shower on them fire and hail and meteoric stones until they are all destroyed, with the exception of those who will not yet have arrived there. These will commence anew to make other wars. From that time the Mashiach (Messiah) will begin to declare himself, and round him there will be gathered many nations and many hosts from the uttermost ends of the Earth.”

    Horn says, “Given the rejection of Jesus by orthodox Jews as Messiah, this coming could herald the coming of Antichrist in 2012.”

    What’s perhaps most fascinating is Horn’s discussion of what could be the mother of all conspiracy theories, dating back to the Bible’s Book of Genesis, involving Noah’s great grandson Nimrod, who not only built the famous Tower of Babel, but is the “mighty hunter” who scholars believe became worshipped as the SUN god, with names such as Osiris in Egypt and Apollo in Greece.

    Horn says from deepest antiquity, a plot involving pagan SUN-worshippers, America’s Founding Fathers, Masons and Freemasons has apparently been in the works, culminating in the end time with the return or resurrection of an evil, supernatural being. That character may actually be pictured as the all-seeing eye on top of the uncapped pyramid on the Great Seal of the United States, found on the back of a $1 bill.

    Others have speculated the eye on top of the pyramid could be a representation of Jesus Christ, since the Bible notes, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.” (Psalm 118:22 New International Version).

    The date at the base of the pyramid is 1776, which is not only the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, but also the beginning of a new Mayan “katun,” a time period of 19.7 years. If each of the 13 levels of the pyramid on the Great Seal represents one of these time periods, the top level would mark the year 2012.

    The Latin phrase “Novus ordo seclorum” is part of the American seal, and translates to “New order of the ages,” which some fear is what many U.S. presidents, including George Herbert Walker Bush, allude to when they use the phrase, “New World Order.”

    Other strange connections to the United States include the Frieze of American History, a painted panorama at the U.S. Capitol.

    Among the artwork is “Cortez and Montezuma at Mexican Temple” by Italian artist Constantino Brumidi.

    Montezuma is shown gesturing to the sacred fire with a serpent wrapped around it. According to the Aztec calendar, the fire is predicted to burn out on Dec. 21, 2012.

    It depicts Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez, the conqueror of Mexico, entering the Aztec temple in 1519. He’s welcomed by Emperor Montezuma II, who thought Cortez was a god.

    “Montezuma’s hand is pointing directly down at the sacred fire, which, in point of fact, goes out … Dec. 21, 2012, the end of the calendar,” Horn noted.

    Also featured in the frieze is the Aztec calendar stone, and the sun god Tonatiuh, to whom pagan priests had 80,000 people sacrificed in the year of 1487 alone.

    “Hiding in plain sight is the god who demands human sacrifice,” said Horn.

    He says another high-profile piece that may hold end-time clues is the famous painting in the Rotunda of the Capitol, titled “The Apotheosis of George Washington.” The word “apotheosis” means to deify or elevate to divine status, and Washington is depicted being resurrected and becoming divine.

    The U.S. Capitol Rotunda features “The Apotheosis of George Washington,” with America’s first president becoming glorified as a god, along with numerous pagan gods.

    But Horn notes in “Apollyon Rising 2012”:
    Those who believe the United States was founded on Christianity and visit the Capitol for the first time will be surprised by the stark contrast to historic Christian artwork of the ascension of Jesus Christ compared to the “heaven” George Washington rises into from within the energized Capitol Dome/womb of Isis. It is not occupied by angels, but with devils and pagan deities important to Masonic belief. These include Hermes, Neptune, Venus (Isis), Ceres, Minerva, and Vulcan (Satan), of course, the son of Jupiter and Juno to which human sacrifices are made.

    Horn says the symbolism in the painting associated with the deeply rooted idea that chosen humans are selected by supernatural forces, and their earthly kingdoms are formed and guided by these pagan gods.

    Washington was himself a Mason, and, according to the book “The Age of Washington” by George W. Nordham, the president was dressed in Masonic attire as he laid the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 18, 1793.

    When it comes to biblical references to the end, a central theme is that Jesus Christ will be returning to Earth in what is often referred to as the “Second Coming” to administer the kingdom of God. While Scripture does not provide a specific date for “the day of the Lord” as it’s often called, it does suggest everyone be ready at all times, because His return would come suddenly, like “a thief in the night,” and Jesus Himself warned to “be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44 New King James Version)

    The 24th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew features Jesus answering his apostles’ questions about signs of His coming and the end of the current age, and Jesus provides a laundry list of events including wars and rumors of wars, false Christs, famines, pestilences, earthquakes and great tribulation, with many believers being slain.

    Jesus noted, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14 King James Version)

    He also said: “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about – the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!) “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills.” (Matthew 24:15-16 New Living Translation)

    This reference to the “Holy Place” has many believing that a new temple of God will have to be constructed in Jerusalem before Jesus’ return.

    Some Christians, such as Noel Hornor of the Good News Magazine, think the 2012 prognostications are the result of misplaced fears and reliance on pagan systems rather than the Bible itself.

    Hornor writes: “Yes, Dec. 21, 2012, will come and go, Dec. 22 will arrive, and the Earth will go on. And so will new theories regarding new exact dates for the end of the world. The cry has been shouted by strident voices for millennia, and you can be sure it will continue.”

    As for Tom Horn, he says he never places any pagan prophecy ahead of the Bible, but just wonders why so many different and unrelated civilizations talk about the end of days in December 2012.

    “I would not say that I’m yet convinced that 2012 will be anything more than the next Y2K,” he said, referring to the misplaced hysteria about the world coming to an end when 1999 turned into 2000.

    “It’s very easy to take extraordinary circumstances to interpret in Bible prophecy, and then it doesn’t develop. There were lots of reasons to believe Hitler was the Antichrist. He wasn’t. He was an antichrist, but not the Antichrist.”

    “All I can do is bring to the surface the good research,” Horn concluded. “I’m kind of holding back, leaning today that 2012 isn’t going to mean anything. But in the back of my mind, I can’t forget all these cultures.”

    Christianity is an apocalyptic religion.

    That’s the starting point of two new books, each covering a range of End Times issues and spanning the entirety of recorded human history.

  5. Junior Avatar
    Junior

    I see no real ideas here….

  6. David Avatar
    David

    What is the latest with the Barbados Drilling Project off the West Coast?

  7. Junior Avatar
    Junior

    A lot of hot air !!! Let us get real ideas now. How do we get the country on an export driven plan? How do we minimize the effect of the shadows (White, Black, Yellow, Brown and other colors) that seemingly have been behind all the political parties in Barbados? How do we minimize the heavy influence of the few with money and power? How do we bring truly workable ideas to the table that benefit all Barbadians? Why are we trying to fool each other constantly with a lot of selfishly inspired talk, ideas and actions?

  8. Carson C. cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. cadogan

    “Pat Hoyos and Peter Boos labelled ‘Barbados Elites’”

    Yet they are so afraid to mount a political platform and face the electorate.

    I can’t think of one thing that Pat Hoyos has ever done that has been successful, and Peter Boos likes the sound of his own voice.

  9. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Junior

    You now come. If your interested fah tru’ look at a number of previous posts over the years by a number of contributors here and then make an assessment … Otherwise carry yah ass …

  10. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    David | January 5, 2012 at 10:39 AM |

    “David Ellis just played a masterstroke …”

    You either sick today or you still celebrating and are yet to recover fully …!

  11. David Avatar
    David

    @BAFBFP

    Will bring back your favourite TM soon : – )

  12. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    David

    Now I that know you just don’ like me … 🙁

  13. enuff Avatar
    enuff

    Any switch to a green economy means continued ‘largesse’ for ‘elites’. As far as I know, ‘elites’ are usually the first to promote and adopt ‘green’ lifestyles because they can afford the initial high costs, both as retailer and consumer, associated with ‘green living’ not to mention the social cachet attributed to being ‘environmentally conscious”. In fact ‘green living’ in the developed and developing countries is considered ELITIST. For example how many ‘non-elites’ (and I use this term loosely) in Barbados can afford on site generation of electricity?

    “Let us look back at the 2008 budget as I develop my argument.”
    Policies incentivising the use of alternative energy were announced in the Budgets of 2006 and 2007. However, market-based policies will not suffice; it is going to require more than tax incentives, feed-in legislation and loans from CDB!!

    “A disdain for agriculture and manufacturing.”
    Seems like the government feels the same way about manufacturing, because ENERGY is one the most VITAL inputs yet you support their energy policy.

    “Now if they were serious about reform…….make greater use of public transport in getting their kids to and from school.”
    Nonsense!! How many school children drive to school, and how many whose parents took them to school before are now taking the bus? Giving school children free bus fares did not and will not reduce any traffic congestion or reduce energy consumption. The target group must be drivers, and for this cohort the government did the opposite, they increased bus fares.

    “The the elite, middle class and aspiring middle class in Bim …This is class warfare my friends!
    Firstly a high carbon lifestyle is not just about owning a vehicle. If/when these so-called ‘elites’ start driving hybrids and ‘green’ vehicles what will be your argument? The love for the car is not a class issue it is CULTURAL. Yes, they are some among us who will never take public transportation but there can be no denying that the service currently provided by the Transport Board is poor and will continue to deter potential passengers. In the countries you mentioned, public transportation is for the most part in sync with settlement patterns, information on routes and bus schedules readily available AND most importantly generally reliable.

    The truth is that the 2008 Budget was about bus fares and summer camps since nothing else was new. I’ll bet when you bring your piece on manufacturing and agriculture a similar scenario will play out. By the way were the administrative and legislative amendments done to implement those Budget promises you mentioned?

  14. Blogger2012 Avatar
    Blogger2012

    what do u exspect from enuff, enuff ignorance.

  15. Businessman Avatar
    Businessman

    enuff is conveniently missing the point underlying the article.

    One of the key popints I got from the article is that the persons who shape opinions in Bim were only interested in highlighting those measures that affected their consumption. Thats what caught their attention.

    Why is that so? And can such a mindset really lead us in these times?

  16. Businessman Avatar
    Businessman

    Enuff despite the 2006, 2007, 2008 and subsequent measures still no movement or real interest.

    This is not a party issue bro!

  17. Boos my foot Avatar
    Boos my foot

    While at it ask elite Boos what about the $300,000.00 he paid to an Englishman without Legacy Board approval or the other actions he took that he never sought Board permission for at Legacy, all pertaining to the disbustements of huge sums of money, or the $ 30,000.00 a month that he paid to Pope at Legacy and the two women he paid the same salary to at Invest Barbados, he is nothing but a fraud parading as an honourable person.
    Watch out the BEF will be used by him to gather political campaign funding for his BLP. I pity those that have been fed his diet of rubbish and have put their money in his care, a fraud of the highest order.

  18. Smooth Chocolate Avatar
    Smooth Chocolate

    the leaders are telling us to make sacrifices but yet they saw if fit on a few weeks ago to give themselves, Permanent Secretaries etc increase in salaries retroactive 2006. yet those at the bottom must continue to suffer. in 2013 i hope to see a new political party, i am so weary of whats happening here

  19. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    Junior; Good post, but this current topic is not just a lot of hot air, imho. It appears to have been a clever and well designed attempt to label posters as being elitist or otherwise, all in the interest of showing that the Energy, bus fare, cell phone, and similar initiatives of the past 4 or so years are of overweening great benefit to the have-nots of the society and the commentators and media people who might point out their individual deficiencies are thereby elitist.

    It looks like an opening salvo in the coming election campaign. We for a society that cares for the disadvantaged; Them for the elites like Boos and Hoyos and other media persons, so far unnamed, who are totally against any assistance to the disadvantaged.

    It will not work as both parties are demonstrably the same in practically every respect. Both parties have elites that prop them up as well as moneyed people that finance their campaigns for certain considerations (Think CLICO and JADA here). Both parties have energy policies that seek or sought to reduce Barbados’ dependence on imported oil and was / is in accord with such global policies at the time they were developed. Both parties had / have serious problems with implementation. Both parties fill the Statutory corporations with supernumary workers when in power, etc., etc..

    Same Khaki pants!

    What can be done about it? As BAFBPF hinted, if you read through BU’s archives you will find that several posts over the years have touched on this topic but generally no real conclusions were reached. I suppose if the politicians are monitoring BU they might be able to tease some strategy from the off the cuff contributions of the BU family. However, If you start with the Bush man’s contributions you should find a few suggestions for a strategy to attack this as well as other problems identified by members of the BU family. But there are others.

  20. Mirai Nikki Avatar
    Mirai Nikki

    Any government that pisses on the middle class the way this government has, is doomed to fail. The middle class are the engine of any recovery – they pay the car washers, the landscapers, the coconut vendors, the plumbers, the electricians, the small contractors; etc; etc; They are the entrepreneurs and the potential employers Once you’ve taxed the shit out of them, there’s nothing left for anybody else.

    Instead of cancelling the swimming lesson perhaps Sandiford-Garner would rather we just en masse withdraw our children from all private schools. That would save middle class parents a ton of money, now that the “world is smelling hell.” Also would add another 2000 to the Government school role and 200 unemployed teachers to the breadline, but she probably didn’t think of that…

  21. robert ross Avatar
    robert ross

    I think it sad that serious debate about economic policy should descend to the usual -as I now realise – cursing of ‘elites’ and the like. I’m not an economist but there are various ways of tackling these things. One is monetarism , but it involves hard measures and no-one likes it except governments. But it seems to work – for a time. Another is the application of ‘Beckles-law’…..spend everything you can,even if you haven’t really got it, build buildings, provide jobs and hope someone will bail you out -and wrap it all up in buzz words. Isn’t this the Obama strategy also? But to vent spleen on elites isn’t really an economic strategy at all is it?

  22. Blogger2012 Avatar
    Blogger2012

    Smooth Chocolate

    You have a duty to get you facts correctly before you write, go back and check who got reclasified.

    It pains me when people do not write with authority, but just mislead other bloggers.

  23. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    Peter Boos was against the funding of the 4 Seasons Restart Project with NIS contributions. It would be most interesting to hear his views on the current stalemate. This class of citizen appear more parasitic than creative and productive to the socio-economic well being of the country.

    This country is going “nowhere” very fast.

    BTW, What’s going on with 4 Seasons?

  24. enuff Avatar
    enuff

    @ Businessman

    “One of the key popints I got from the article is that the persons who shape opinions in Bim were only interested in highlighting those measures that affected their consumption. Thats what caught their attention.”

    FYI increased taxation and cost of living affects EVERYONE’S consumption level. Therefore, the ‘opinion leaders’ were merely reflecting the sentiments of most not only the ‘elites’. Do the poor cook on wood stoves?

  25. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    MillertheAnnunaki;
    Your 8.06 pm post above seems to be a bit different in thrust and quality to your usual contributions. You said:-

    “Peter Boos was against the funding of the 4 Seasons Restart Project with NIS contributions.”

    But, I would guess 99% of NIS pensioners are against refunding Four Seasons with NIS money. Does that make Boos elitist? Does that make him not serious about restructuring of the economy? You might adduce an elitism to him and several others because of several unstated personal situations and factors but for being against using NIS funds for refunding Four Seasons and writing about it seems not quite fair.

    How are we defining elitism in this blog? Does one’s colour have a major part to play? Ownership of very significant real estate? Ownership of other real wealth? Ownership of a car? High salary? Association with certain Sports? membership of certain institutions, lodges, etc? Can Politicians be elitist? Was David Thompson elitist? Was Errol Barrow elitist? Was Tom Adams elitist? Is Mia Mottley elitist? Is Owen Arthur elitist? Is Freundel Stuart elitist? Is Chris Sinckler elitist? Are all business people elitist or only some? Is leroy Parris Elitist? Are the various high up business persons who fed at the BLP trough and are now feeding at the DLP’s elitist?

    Could someone have views against some of the entitlement policies of both major parties in Barbados and not be elitist? or does thinking that some entitlement policies and their timing need some work definitely ensures that such persons should carry the elitist tag?

    If certain aspects of the restructuring of the economy will affect someone very negatively and does not appear to be likely to result in the greater eventual well being of the country should that person keep quiet about it, as ventilating it could be interpreted as elitist behaviour?

    Perhaps your formulation of “class of citizen” might be a better term than elitist.

    By the way I would like to join you in asking “What’s happening with Four Seasons?”

  26. David Avatar
    David

    The Barbados economy over the years by its design has benefited certain people especially in the distributive sector. We have even conferred knighthoods to some of them. We needs to accept that if we are to shift/change key characteristics of the economy there maybe resistance.

  27. Random Thoughts Avatar
    Random Thoughts

    Quoting Check-it-out “Are the various high up business persons who fed at the BLP trough and are now feeding at the DLP’s elitist?”

    Nodoby who feeds from a [political] trough can possibly be elitist or elite.

    Anybody who got their snout in a trough and their botsie up in the air, is a HOG, plain and simple.

    Elite what?????

  28. enuff Avatar
    enuff

    @ David
    And they will adapt to whatever type of economy evolves from restructuring. Who are at the forefront of research into alternative energy?

  29. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    David I really miss Bonny peppa is she ok?

  30. Random Thoughts Avatar
    Random Thoughts

    Quoting Zoe ” January 5, 2012 at 11:37 AM …A little interregnum for the BU family to consider between the postulations of the so-called ‘Elite’ and the future of Bimshire in 2012!”

    But Zoe you ain’t anything form MOther Africa.

    Human life started in Africa.

    And human life will end when Mother Africa dies.

    And that ain’t anytime soon.

    No matter what freaks in other places say.

  31. Businessman Avatar
    Businessman

    yu see David many fear a post like this for a few reasons:

    1. It might just for a brief moment shift the debate away from a continuos pounding of teh DLP;

    2. maybe the DLP does not look horrible on this one;.

    3. perhaps more importantly, its a man in the mirro issue. What are we as citizens doing in our personal space and choices to adjust. Its much easier to beat up on others.

    No one has sought to address some of the issues raised by the brother.

    Is there a large and influntial group ib Bim that often shapes public debate and who are very vocal at this time who fir the four criteria suggested by the bro?

    Why is a group who is so keen on”restructuring” the economy so silent on potentially one of thje most urgent challenges and tyransformational potential? Instead peter boos, pat hoyos and sanka price have been very vocal advocates of not passing on the cost of petroleum products by keeping the old status quo in place.

  32. David Avatar
    David

    @enuff

    Have you considered the macro benefits to alternative energy program i.e. the full population?

  33. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Random Thoughts | January 5, 2012 at 9:00 PM |

    Jesus C’rist woman yah crack muh up …ha ha ha haha …! 🙂

  34. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Look, the BIDC was undergoing a campaign to propel the alternative energy program, this was when it was under Estwick and Co., and now that the BIDC is under Kellman and Co. it looks like the entire board will be swapped out. I have been alive long enough to know that Ministers and subsequently boards are changed so as to create an excuse for not achieving much over a period of time.

    If there is to be “SIGNIFICANT” movement in the implementation of productive schemes in Barbados the finest fit has to found for operatives in the key agencies that are funded with tax dollars and forex. Agencies such as the BIDC, BTA, BTI and Invest Barbados plus ALL of the overseas agencies have to be outfitted with sales oriented performance based staff; and frankly I do not care if this staff has to be imported from India.

  35. David Avatar
    David

    Why the hell we have to switch-out boards because the minister changes?

  36. Zoe Avatar
    Zoe

    The King of Glory, Almighty God, and His Kingdom.

    “The earth IS* the Lord’s and all its fulness. The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas; And established it upon the waters.”

    “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His Holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart. Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol. Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessings from the Lord. He shall receive blessings from the Lord.” (Psa. 24: 1-5)

    Laboring and Prospering with the Lord.

    “Unless the Lord builds the house ( I.e., Nation,) they, (DLP, BLP, et al) labor IN VAIN* who (seek, try to) build it. Unless the Lord guards the city. The watchman stays awake IN VAIN* It is VAIN* for you to rise up early, to sit up late. To eat the bread of SORROWS* For He gives His beloved sleep.” ( Psa. 127: 1-2) Emphasis added.

  37. David Avatar
    David

    @Zoe

    Happy New Year to you too!

  38. enuff Avatar
    enuff

    @ David
    Why do you persists in trying to portray me as against alternative energy? I do understand the macro-benefits as well as the benefits/attraction to the ‘elites’ and that’s why it is idiotic to argue that they are against alternative energy. I am neither a johnny or johnny come lately!! Too many on BU resort to ‘cut & paste’. The tree hugger Dawnay isn’t an ‘elite’ based on Ellis Chase’s definition?

  39. David Avatar
    David

    @enuff

    Why have you concluded such?

    One of the points of the article is that there is a group of people in Barbados labelled ‘elites of Barbados; who have been silent on the need/rollout of alternative energy. why?

  40. Business man Avatar
    Business man

    We now seem hung up on the word “elite.”

  41. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    David; in your 5.45 am post above you said

    One of the points of the article is that there is a group of people in Barbados labelled ‘elites of Barbados; who have been silent on the need/rollout of alternative energy. why?

    Could it be that there is no need to comment on the utility of a significantly enhanced alternative energy policy at this time since it is perfectly obvious that such is an absolute necessity and that commenting on it is just gilding the lily? Could it be that a few people are commenting on matters that affect them whether they are elite or not? like possible misguided and risky misuse of NIS funds? or economic policies related to energy that may be different from the policies of the former government but that directly and negatively affect everyone’s pocket but are hoped to wean people away from cheap energy in the long run? In my view the current energy policy is misguided and commenting on it is no guide to if one is elitist or not. Indeed the current policy is demonstrably anti middle class or poor people and one doesn’t have to be elitist to see and comment on it.

    This thread is, imho, a red herring that some commentators are happy to see but that is based on emotive rationales only and not reality.

  42. Business man Avatar
    Business man

    As a lay person I have acepted the central bank and the government’s argument, that their ability to stimulate the economy is limited by the forign exchange leakage. if as the recent article is barbados today says oil now takes up 25% of our foreign exchange up from 7% in 2007, then alternative energy is a most critical piece of any growth strategy.

    Besides the government incentives and policy initiatives where is the drive and advocacy from the “elites” who shape public opinion in Bim. they get very vocal around international business and tourism issues.

    Thats what i took from ellis’ post, enuff and others can try to detract, but they seem to trying to shoot the messenger rather than deal with the message.

    Hotels are crying out about high light bills, how many have approached the enterprise Growth Fund to inquire about the smart energy fund?

  43. Business man Avatar
    Business man

    Check it out makes a fair point. But this post goes to the core of one my beefs during this recession and the debate around it.

    The “elites’ who shape public opinion have trained their guns on the government and let other key players in the economy off scot free.

    I watched the cbc news last night. despite all the doom and gloom we got from the last tourism gathering, the ceo of intimate hotels was pointing to an excellent winter season to date. My own season has been excellent to date. it seems to me that business people with focused and innovative strategies have been able to get through the recession, while the passive sit back and blame the government and everybody else. But there is no mindset among the “elite” that shapes public opinion to focus on that aspect of the issue. They can criticise government policy and the public sector, but the strategies and approaches of decent corporate entities, thats off limits. Our corporate elite seems to have run Bs&t, As Brydens and such into trini hands, no comments on that.

    I saw the head of nassco saying that sales of the toyoate prius have been weak. I remember david thompson test driving the vehicle but i have seen no real pushing of this product in the market. he then went on to say that due to government concessions the price of the hybrid camry will fall from around 210,000 to 150,000 and he expects sales of that to pick up. How has nassco been proactive in driving sales of its hybrid vehicle?

    It seems to me that our ‘elites” are very reluctant to ask questions of these of entities in our society. they can justifiably bark at and critique government and public workers, but the private sector and captains of industry, their business strategies seem above critique.

    I saw on the news that kodax’s share price is falling as the company seems likely to file for bankruptcy. what struck me was that the reporter started by saying that the company had failed to keep up with the times. In bim, me thinks the government and economy would have been blamed.

  44. Business man Avatar
    Business man

    This thread seems to have mashed some middle class corns though.

    We have had a lot of bullies on this blog, who can beat up on everything, but comment on their consumption habits and willingness to make adjustments during a recession, they get all defensive.

    Please middle class friends do not forget that the middle class is the largest beneficiary of most of the entitlements that have been protected so far during the recession (think uwi for example).

    The government gave a $10,000 tax break for mutual fund investments. How many mutual funds have ever really been able to market their funds on superior investment performance. the funds were largely marketed as a way to get a tax break. the middle class is hopping mad that that subsidy is gone. I would think that after over a decade of such a subsidy and the supposed maturation of the sector that the funds could be attractive to investors on the basis of the returns they provide. But the tax payer should subsidize this forever. This same middle class loves to speak of a dependency syndrome.

    I remember well in the 1980s when the americans spoke about corporate welfare. our middle class hates dependent people as they say, but they have no problems with dependent businesses.

  45. Business man Avatar
    Business man

    as a businessman i can tell you that some of the most piss poor service Ihave gotten is not from the public sector, but form the big up entities that our middle class work for and seek to hold up as paragons of efficiency. big up ,black, white and supposedly international businesses are some of the ones i talking bout.

    what we sometimes have are a lot of big fishes in small waters. mediocre people who could not cut it in a real competitive environment, but try to lord it off bout here in our protected and safe market. as soon as the trinis turned up the heat in the 1990s most of our crew wilted like lilies in the sun.

    yu think boos and hoyos and then will put these types under the microscope!

  46. Business man Avatar
    Business man

    david people of my generation know a bit about cricket. a lot of our business elite are like the indian batting line up. they can beat ball on flat wickets or against ordinary bowling, but once the wicket start to do something or the bowling is decent most don’t show up.

    but bout here they are above scrutiny.

  47. Business man Avatar
    Business man

    the post is not about beating up on the elites or diverting attention from the government weakness, rather its a timely focus on the apparent inertia in the society at large in responding to a clear and present danger, even in the face of substantial government incentives.

  48. Blogger2012 Avatar
    Blogger2012

    @Businessman

    You remember when corpoation tax was lowered, what did those big businessmen did? Invest in bigger yatchs and vehicles and pass the expense through the businesses, I am happy that the govt has decidied to treat all those benfits which the business class was using to pay little to no income and corporation tax.

    I know of a case, where a qualified accountant boasted to me his benefits were more than his salary and that was a way of tax shileding, it was not illegal, but i am glad such loopholes have been plugged and it was people like peter boos that would have advised comapnies how to exploit the koopholes.

    Are you aware that the lower middle class and the poore class were the ones who paid most of the income tax over the years. This class warfare is evident, where the boos and the hoyoses think that they have a right to have thii superior liftstyle while the lower middleclass and the poorer class take the crumbs to live off.

  49. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    Businessman; Your posts on this matter make a lot of sense but I think that trying to pin blame on “elites” as the thread seems to do is somewhat misguided and even perhaps disingenuous.

    I think you have in several posts showed that you understand the overall situation re. restructuring of the economy and that everyone should do their part in such restructuring.

    As far as I can tell Barbados in the early 20th Century was almost totally a sugar based agricultural economy. Tourism surreptitiously took over agricultures primacy in the economy over several years and, as usual and as expected, Government led this thrust. I think Peter Morgan was one of the main movers in that transformation. But there was no great hue and cry as to elitist involvement or non involvement in that transition. Both parties were equally involved in the changes also.

    The next major thrust towards restructuring, although it was not labelled as such was the Tom Adams policies to develop an offshore service and banking industry. This was done with the then opposition doing what opposition parties do best, opposing but then accepting the fruits when they got into power. Now it is the restructuring of the Energy sector that is of the most importance re. development is concerned. The DLP government is now the one to do what is necessary to ensure that the policies are designed in such a way that it minimizes the negative affects on the disadvantaged and elites alike and get the maximum participation from those private sector players that can contribute to the effort. I was, indeed, am, not aware that certain Opinion leaders were against the necessity for a restructuring of the economy to reduce our reliance on external energy. I still think that is a red herring or a strawman, set up to be pelted at.

    The local people that have the mega bucks have not, afaik, been against the greatly enhaanced development of alternative energy.

    In other words the debate on this thread is a sterile one and should perhaps be focused on what those who are capable of contributing, should be doing to advance a renewable energy policy. E.g. the late Oliver Headley had developed a project ( I found it somewhere on the web sometime ago) to produce Photovoltaic cells here in Barbados. Could that project be taken out and dusted off and reworked and get significant private sector funding to be implemented. Could the well heeled private sector people take up such a project with Government’s blessings and perhaps some NIS funding support as well?

    This thread is focused in the wrong direction and Businessman, I think you and your colleagues could help to refocus it in a way that could be constructve.

  50. Business man Avatar
    Business man

    persons like to highlight that the International business sector provides 60% of our corporation tax. that is great and we want to keep that sector. The high level of tax avoidance and evasion by local businesses is a factor in the international share being so large.

    You think boos, hoyos etc.. are going to comment on that.

    High net worth people often pay little income tax in bim. check doctors, lwayers, senior execs have all kinda loopholes. yu think boos, hoyos, sanka price and such are going to comment on that.

    There is a big debate about it in the US and Uk press though.

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