Submitted by Ras Jahaziel
Kenny Anthony, Prime Minister of St. Lucia
We knew all along that UNSUSTAINABLE small island satellites would be eventually jettisoned by the Mother Slave Ship. That is why some fought for a Caribbean federation, and now today some point to the Garvey vision of GLOBAL AFRICANS UNITING ON THE PRINCIPLE OF SELF SUFFICIENCY.
Many abandoned the Garvey idea of pooling resources for collective investment, and tried instead to refine the art of begging, and put their efforts into CULTIVATING BETTER RELATONSHIPS WITH THE SLAVE OWNERS for the sake of grants and loans and favoured preferential status.
They did not have the vision to see that the major share of the money from their spectacular AID-DEPENDENT projects would continue to make the rich richer while purporting to be generating employment and progress for the poor.
But CANT SEE still CANT SEE.
IT IS NO WONDER THAT THOSE WHO FORMERLY SCOFFED AT THE IDEA OF REPARATIONS ARE NOW SOLIDLY ON THE BANDWAGON.
See article: Region on the brink
SOME CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES are near the brink of collapse but one wouldn’t get that impression from the way governments are behaving.
St Lucia’s Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony made that charge Tuesday night at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus, while fielding questions after delivering a lecture: Education In The Caribbean: Challenges And Opportunities Facing Small Developing States.
The programme was organized by UWI and the St Lucia Student Association.
He told the gathering of about 150 students and academics that the Caribbean was facing an economic crisis the likes of which it had never encountered and was “almost on the brink of collapse”, but leaders were in self-denial.
“The tragedy of the times is that we are in the throes of a major crisis like the Caribbean has never ever experienced before, but we are refusing to face the reality that confronts us and all of us are engaged in one form or another of self-denial,” Anthony said.
” wonder which countries are these that are ‘on the brink’ when I see BLP people posting every day that every Caribbean country is doing splendidly but Barbados….”
Requel Gilkes(FACEBOOK)
Would it have been more constructive for Anthony to have revealed the countries on the brink? His assertion has only led to the denial and uncertainty by our respective governments. First out of the gate was MoF Sinckler who stated he (Anthony) did not mean Barbados. Bear in mind the MoF himself has admitted that Barbados is facing serious challenges and in need of structural reform. The lead economic advisor of government Sir Frank Alleyne has admitted we have a supply problem and policies will have to continue to manage demand to protect forex.
Inspite of ADRIAN LOVERIDGE’S rosy picture painting of St. Lucia with regards to increase tourists numbers the PM is still saying that St. Lucia is not doing well. I have asked ADRIAN on more than one occasion why is the St. Lucian economy in such poor state if increase tourists number is the cure for all the economic ills in St. Lucia.
Grenada’s PM is starting his own austerity program, this is same man who when in opposition thought and let it be know to all the people of Grenada that all they had to do was to reelect his party to office and get rid of Tilman Thomas.
In Jamaica the Country’s dollar continues to slide against the US dollar. If reports in the Jamaican media are to be believed Portia Simpson is very conspicuous by her absence. Her party is another party which was recently reelected by telling the people all they have to do is to kick the JLP and they will make things right. But reality is something else.
Saying that Barbados is facing “serious challenges” is nothing new, the government has stated that time and again and is working very hard to keep the ship of state afloat.
The fact that Barbados is “in need of structural reform” is something recently recognized by many and I don’t count myself among them. I saw this coming from a mile off. But every time the government tries to do something about it the Barbados Labour Party tries to stir up panic and confusion in the Country.
@CCC
They are the government for goodness sake. Let them get on with it – PLEASE! Your excuses for ianction are pathetic
That is “inaction”.
peltdownman
Where is the “inaction”?
If there was this “inaction” that you speak of the country would be in the state of Haiti.
All this reflects what the Bible says that there will be “seven years of plenty and seven years of Famine” we did not put aside anything for the “seven years of Famine” and that is why it is proving a little more challenging.
We have a private sector which owes Government more than $620million and wont pay. Even in Grenada the new PM says that he going after all those who refuse to pay their share of taxes. For some reason we don’t want to do that here.
@CCC, its a real shame that you are such a rabid political person who cannot recognize the truth if it bit you where it hurts most!
It would be informative to find out which countries Anthony believe to be on the brink.
@ David
All on the brink, yet the leaders fail to move post haste with the one solution: csmE.
CSME has to be seen as a solution, are we aligned that it is?
Since colonial days…lol. We waiting for the foreign people to do it. Look at the Emera plan for geothermal energy.
What ever we describe it some level of functional cooperation is required.
David said……. “First out of the gate was MoF Sinckler who stated he (Anthony) did not mean Barbados. Bear in mind the MoF himself has admitted that Barbados is facing serious challenges and in need of structural reform.”
David. Stinkliar is doing just what the PHD did when they changed the meaning of fresh milk and expected the public to buy it.
@ David
CSME has to be seen as a solution, are we aligned that it is?
**************
Seen as a solution to exactly what?
That is exactly what PM Arthur said 20 years ago…..
We then spent millions of dollars, wasted counted resources, changed our laws to empower the CCJ to override our national will..
….and solved NOTHING.
…and YOU WANT PHASE 2 now?
Our SOLUTION will become very clear when we take the time to identify the precise problems we face; the options available; and the resources available to us to resolve the problems.
Bushie is here to tell you that CSME, far from being a viable solution, is a path to accelerated decline. The principle of settling at the lowest common denominator applies……..but then again, the likely solutions include ridiculous ideas such as..
– Taking a serious NATIONAL stand for justice, openness and truth.
– Rewarding hard work, creativity, honesty
– Rooting out and penalizing bribery, cheating, thievery and laziness
– Taking national pride in self and not in mendicancy
Presumably such an approach is inconceivable for us now that our first world benefactors are unable to support us……so our only hope is in joining up with even more mendicant neighbors – to make an even more attractive target for the wolves out there in our world…?
…is that what you are saying…?
Carson said:
” Her party is another party which was recently reelected by telling the people all they have to do is to kick the JLP and they will make things right. But reality is something else.”
___________________________________
Carson……does those pie in the sky promises not sound familiar to you, did the DLP not say they had all the solutions to pave the streets of Barbados with milk and honey and strips of gold despite the worldwide recession??, why are they meeting with IMF next week?? don’t tell me it’s just to talk like Sinckler said, what does he have to say to the IMF next week that he could not say in Washington at their meeting 2 weeks ago???……Politicians tell lies, that is all they know to do, it’s only yardfowls who are getting crumbs believe anything a politician says…it’s a worldwide phenomena and the politicians in Barbados are no different.
Carson…….by the way, as you are a concerned citizen, should you not be telling your masters (DLP leaders) to go after the tax cheats hammer and tongs despite who they are, and penalize them accordingly if they still refuse to pay, even if the leaders are now being called extortionists.
@Bush Tea
The response to enuff was laced with the idea of being practical. If as he suggested the CSME is the answer then it must have a nucleus of support, Does it?
The response should not be construed as whether BU agrees or not.
US Congressional Black Caucus ‘deeply concerned’ about Dominican Republic tribunal ruling
Published on November 1, 2013
WASHINGTON, USA — Members of the US Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have released the following statement regarding ruling TC/0168/13 by the Dominican Constitutional Tribunal. As a result of the ruling, more than 200,000 Dominican-born people of Haitian descent will be stripped of their Dominican citizenship:
The Congressional Black Caucus is deeply concerned about the Dominican Republic’s Constitutional Tribunal’s recent ruling, no.168-13, and its human rights impact. This ruling threatens the citizenship and residency status of over 200,000 Dominican-born people of Haitian descent who face statelessness if retroactively stripped of or denied the right to nationality.
The situation in the Dominican Republic is exacerbated by clear evidence that the recent ruling and past policies have had a racially disparate impact. The CBC urges the Dominican Republic and the international community to immediately address the potential crisis. Should this ruling be carried out, three generations will lose whatever tenuous protections they have had in the Dominican Republic.
If implemented retroactively, the Dominican Republic’s Tribunal Constitutional ruling would be a violation of the country’s human rights obligations. The Dominican Republic has the sovereign right to its laws and judicial processes, but rendering a group of people born within its borders stateless and without recourse to certify nationality is an act that contravenes international norms and principles. Any continuation of the longstanding statelessness and struggle for legal recognition of Dominican’s of Haitian parentage must be considered a threat to regional progress and stability.
The CBC has a long history of engagement with the Caribbean Diaspora and the nations of the region that includes strong support for the interests of the Dominican Republic. The CBC stands ready to support the Dominican Republic and the international community in any effort to adequately and promptly address the crisis of statelessness in accordance with international norms and human rights obligations.
http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-US-Congressional-Black-Caucus-%27deeply-concerned%27-about-Dominican-Republic-tribunal-ruling–18394.html
Grenada PM announces new income tax threshold and rate
Published on November 1, 2013
By Caribbean News Now contributor
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada — As expected, the income tax threshold is being lowered in Grenada as the country prepares to usher in a home grown structural adjustment programme, part of broader plans to revamp the economy.
Meanwhile, the government of Grenada became the latest beneficiary of the CARICOM Development Fund’s (CDF) Country Assistance Programme (CAP) this week when an agreement for EC$15.74 million (US$5.83 million) was signed to provide support in the areas of tourism, agriculture and manufacturing.
In a national address on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell announced that residents earning EC$36,000 dollars (US$13,333) will now have to pay income tax, but at a reduced rate.
At the moment, only those residents earning more than EC$60,000 pay 30 percent income tax on the excess.
Mitchell said this category of taxpayers will continue to pay the 30 percent rate.
However, the Grenadian leader said the income tax rate will be reduced by half to 15 percent on the excess for residents earning between EC$36,000 and $60,000 a year.
“As a consequence, government has asked all local banks to be sensitive to this situation. The banks have assured government that it will work with its customers where necessary. I hereby make a similar appeal to our credit unions. Our government is very concerned about job layoffs at this time,” Mitchell said.
“I hereby make a special appeal to all employers, especially in the private sector, to exercise restraint in this very difficult period. Retrenchment must be a last resort. We ask that you make a special effort to avoid further layoffs at this time. Similarly, I ask the labour unions to exercise restraint in respect of wage demands in government and in the private sector,” he added.
http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-Grenada-PM-announces-new-income-tax-threshold-and-rate-18393.html
“That is exactly what PM Arthur said 20 years ago…..
We then spent millions of dollars, wasted counted resources, changed our laws to empower the CCJ to override our national will..
….and solved NOTHING.
…and YOU WANT PHASE 2 now?”
I guess the CCJ and other components of the Revised Treaty only applies to Barbados. So our companies and service providers are not up and down the islands “overrid[ing their] national will only vice versa.
@ Enuff
“So our companies and service providers are not up and down the islands “overrid[ing their] national will only vice versa..”
*************
…and all to what end Enuff? How has it helped ……except to distract resources from the REAL threats that all the islands face?
It is like a group of fellows all out to sea and drowning ….and all grabbing on to each other as a “solution”…..while continuing to swim like rocks….
Far better if the few stronger ones used their last energy to go for help, put together an emergency raft or find out how to swim and pass the knowledge on to the others.
@ David
LOL….. Who the cap fitted knew good ENUFF who Bushie was addressing….. 🙂
The longer you all live with fraud the more you will suffer or suffa .
The longer you dont admit and then look to fix you will suffer and suffer more, Just cant tell the truth so deal with lies , and suffer more and more,
Why even go to church for you all lie to what ever God , GOD and gods you serve ,,
lie in church and lie out side of church , just stay home and speak to the devil lolololll ,, will you all want some gasoline with you hell or a match ,
The truth will set you all free from your masters slaves.
here are the facts Caribbean Lover and Adrian Loveridge try to cover up:
“”St. Lucia has officially recorded its 29th homicide victim for this year.
Twenty-four-year-old Chad Alexander of Black Mallet, Castries, who received a gunshot wound to the torso on Thursday, Oct. 31, succumbed to his injuries at Victoria Hospital about 6:30 pm today, Friday, Nov. 1, Police Press Officer Aniel Innocent has confirmed.
Police reports are that officers attached to the Marchand Police Station responded to a report of gunshots been fired at Black Mallet, Castries about 11:15 a.m.
On arrival, the officers received information that Alexander had been shot.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.”””
Bushie it fit tight too
“… I have asked ADRIAN on more than one occasion why is the St. Lucian economy in such poor state ….”
————————————————————————
Poor state vis-a-vis whom, Carson? Despite the economic ills of the region, St.Lucia now boasts the largest economy in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.
So if St.Lucia is doing as poorly as you suggest, then the other Union members must be starving.
The newly announced income tax policies of the Grenadian government will primarily inevitably serve to push greater further and further into dedevelopmental ruin and misery.
What a state of intellectual philosophical backwardness pervading that island.
PDC
Waiting have you no shame at all? Do you know about the two murders that occurred in the last twenty four hours?
@ Waiting and Arson…Two murders occurring in the last 24 hours In Barbados.
Omission
It should have been written as….serve to push Grenada greater further…..
PDC
@islandgal
If you understand the roles of Trolls you will be able to ignore.
@ Enuff
LOL
“”St. Lucia has officially recorded its 29th homicide victim for this year.
———————————————————–
A couple of months ago WAITING wrote on this blog that St.Lucia had recorded its 30th homicide; now he’s down to 29; who knows, by Christmas he’ll probably be down to 25. WAITING, your fuzzy math never fails to amaze me.
there will be no REPARATIONS are you living in some sort of dream world?
never will happen.
and by the way you seen any of thin on CNN or any NBC or any big news stations?
wonder why?
http://youtu.be/qwJ8rDUA568
IF IT WAS NOT FOR TOURISM AND THE NEED FOR THE WHITE VISITORS MONEY TO KEEP BARBADOS A FLOAT.! I BELIEVE ALL THE WHITES IN BARBADOS WOULD BE DONE THE SAME TO AS THE SOUTH AFRICANS.
BUT ENGLAND WILL NOT ALLOW THAT OR USA OR CANADA..
DON’T FOOL YOUR SELVES.
Instead of reading Carson’s face saving articles, try this one:
http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/33433/