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Open Letter to Richard ‘Lowdown’ Hoad

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Submitted by Heather Cole
Submitted by Heather Cole

Having read your article that was carried by the Nation Newspaper on Friday, June 24, 2016, under the caption “The ox to the stall,” it is surprising that you have categorized Mr. Mark Maloney’s business ventures as doing a lot for Barbados. I see it the other way around. The taxpayers’ money and the lucrative contracts awarded by the Government of Barbados have done a lot for Mr. Maloney.

While you did not state it, you left us to compare Mr. Maloney’s breaking the law to Rosa Parks breaking the law. When Rosa Parks broke the law by refusing to get up out of her seat, she was standing up for her civil rights. No civil rights of Mr. Maloney have been violated. In fact, since you have inferred the topic of civil rights, I must inform you that any black Barbadian can now demand those coveted contacts as part of their civil rights which are now being violated as they are clearly being discriminated against by a political group.

When I read the sentence that Mr. Maloney gets things done and that within weeks he can clean up the garbage, my mind instantly went to those green garbage trucks that are sitting in the harbour unclaimed. Were you trying to inform the people of Barbados that the Government has signed another Public Private Partnership with Mr. Maloney? Could these green garbage trucks be the reason why the Minister of the Environment who is responsible for ensuring that Barbados is clean has been negligent in his duties? Does it mean that the tax payers will again be saddled with an additional burden for garbage disposal in the form of another levy? I hope that my thoughts are not correct and the trucks have no connection to Government or the collection of public garbage because as far as the public is aware, no contracts have been tendered for any such arrangements.

There is a problem with the basis on which Government awards contracts. The rules of the tendering process must be changed to ensure that contacts are awarded fairly and transparently to the entire population, perhaps even on a proportionate basis. No Government should award public contracts exclusively to one sector of the population. I am committed to social justice; I am not against others becoming wealthy but I am on a quest for equality for all Barbadians. How could you bring a suggestion that a man who is in clear violation of the law clean up the Courts? Are you inferring that he is already above the law?

Sincerely,

Heather Cole

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353 responses to “Open Letter to Richard ‘Lowdown’ Hoad”

  1. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    @ David,

    There is no Fringe or one off with Racism in our Country. Racism, does not have a colour, embracing and promoting such cankers the soul, eating away at communities causing Divisiveness on every level. It does not elevate, inspire or bring about any form of goodness. It is built on one thing alone, Hate.

    Whose ideology do you think that comes from? Certainly not the one that commands us to love others as we do ourselves.

    We should be careful what we espouse and promote as the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The example given by ‘Silent Is Consent’ is yet another perfect example of what was pushed to the max on BU, that Rallying is for a select few and not inclusive!

    Thanks ‘Silence is Consent’, for telling this most heart wrenching story. It is Time for us All to Awaken to the ‘Culprit’, that puts us one against another. He was A Liar and a murder from the very beginning of time and Racism is one of his fondest tools!

  2. pieceuhderockyeahright Avatar
    pieceuhderockyeahright

    Pigrim,

    I am concerned that you responded to someone else’s name

    nonetheless you have reminded me that I had not posted my daily Posters

    Thank You

    http://imgur.com/I3NDob2

  3. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    ac,

    The proof of the pudding is in the eating. If you are not two bodies you are two personalities inhabiting the same body. In most instances you are incoherent. In a few you are clear almost as crystal. Two writing styles, two levels of intelligence, two levels of grammar. Two voices. No one person could be so stupid and so intelligent unless they had mental challenges or if they shit when they’re sleeping and type when they are awake.

  4. pieceuhderockyeahright Avatar
    pieceuhderockyeahright

    @ Donna there are 3

    AC the babbling incoherent wanabee poochlicker

    Pigrim the babbling, uneducated, wanabbee, active pooch licking (if you get my drift) General Secretary? who tries real hard to speak like an intellectual, but fails and hates anyone who does that especially those who cry down the DLP….(so you better watch yourself Donna

    And then there is the third well educated, clearly coherent, reasoned, mostly reasonable, devoted DLP supporter who while one does not support his party, you cannot fault his education, eruditeness and his loyalty to Fumbles Fools.

    Periodicall he says some things that speak to his disenchantment with Fumble BUT, he is a trooper and does not let this get into the collective persona that is Legion AC.

  5. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    “Therefore the govt was in no position to take on additional projects those would give the small business man a 40% percent of the pie”

    ACs…yall putting out more lying promises to the black voters without whom ya will never be elected again…nobody believes yall ya will do the same thing again if people are dumb enough to vote ya in, give all the government contracts to the minorities, yardfowls and family members and leave the small business people to suffer…you are lying and sneaking to do so, no one believes you….not anymore.

    How would business people who never got any before get a piece of the pie now, ya will say anything to get the black votes now…frauds.

    Let the minority business people vote ya in, what happen, not enough of them…lol

  6. David Avatar
    David

    Note BU’s post, it highlighted a promise by this government to allocate 40% of procurement to small businesses. BU never mentioned that it is to be done on the basis of race.

  7. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    de pedantic Dribbler July 4, 2016 at 12:46 PM #

    @David, the stark realities of life confirm that there is nothing unfortunate about FreedomCrier’s example, It seems that he presumes that because a man or woman’s starts a business that success is guaranteed.

    @ Dribbler, must say your name becomes your character. You presume to put words where none existed representing what you presume that is my understanding.

    Let me enlighten you if that is at all possible! Or if not, maybe some one other will learn and not be misguided by your myopic understanding.

    I believe we are each responsible for shaping our own lives first with the One who influences our own Conscience. That is what shapes individuals to realize their full potential and directs the path that one should take.

    My own family have the Spirit of Entrepreneurship, and we know full well by experience that does does not come with a guarantee of success. However that does not stop us from exercising our faculties by using every ounce of energy within our souls to succeed by the sweat of our brow, relying on the God of Providence and not on Government as the Shepherd!

    Here is a little advice from a woman who strongly opposed the Marxist of her day.

    Finally, and again from the novelist Ayn Rand comes this call to arms to never surrender to the infamous tyranny and strategically made bed of lies and deceits systemic to the Utopists:

    “The world you desired can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it’s yours. But to win it requires total dedication and a total break with the world of your past, with the doctrine that man is a sacrificial animal who exists for the pleasure of others. Fight for the value of your person. Fight for the virtue of your pride. Fight for the essence, which is man, for his sovereign rational mind. Fight with the radiant certainty and the absolute rectitude of knowing that yours is the morality of life and yours is the battle for any achievement, any value, any grandeur, any goodness, any joy that has ever existed on this earth.” (See: Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand, 1957)

    “Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision. Their goals differed, but they all had this in common: that the step was first, the road new, the vision Un-borrowed, and the response they received— hatred. The great creators — the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the inventors — stood alone against the men of their time. Every great new thought was opposed. Every great new invention was denounced. The first motor was considered foolish. The airplane was considered impossible. The power loom was considered vicious. Anesthesia was considered sinful. But the men of Unborrowed vision went ahead. They fought, they suffered and they paid. But they won.” (See: The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand, 1943-

    This is the Creed I uphold and I haven’t even begun to fight!

    So Dribble Away, it is all only Spittle in the Wind coming from you and those like you!

  8. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    For those highlighting the small business people of the minority group who struggle with business on the island, ya have to consider the size of the island, population size and the fact for the last 30 plus years, it’s only one group, a very small group of minorities, not more than 10 males, have been hogging everything on the island, they are greedy, their stomachs are never full, they delusionally call themselves successful businessmen, which is a lie, they have spent the past decades locked on to the treasury through greedy, corrupt government ministers, sucking taxpayer contracts to access bank loans…they are a clique and dont care how white ya think ya are, if you are not a member of their group sucking the life out of the treasury, you are just another bajan poor white and will stay that way….because unless they die or unless the government ministers start distributing the contracts evenly among the small business people, without expecting bribe money in return,, they do not intend to let anyone else have an opportunity to get wealthy.

    And that is the reality.

  9. ac Avatar
    ac

    David July 4, 2016 at 1:42 PM #

    Note BU’s post, it highlighted a promise by this government to allocate 40% of procurement to small businesses. BU never mentioned that it is to be done on the basis of race.

    //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    Noted ..however can u point to those areas or those projects where govt has in the past six years undertaken substantial projects sufficiently reliable for small businesses to procure 40%
    and govt have refused to reamin true to its promise
    If the economy was stable and govt had a reliability source depending a high level of productivity from the tourist market or real estate market surely the procurement would have been given within the past five to six years
    However the financial market down govt projects unable to get started the one nest basket struggling it would be difficult to execute a 40% promise when there was nothing comming to build upon
    Also does not the private sector have a major role in creating growth having plans that can formulate productivity and having projects than can help the small business player or they role is simply to be onlookers and great actors of what they do
    Sandals has started work on expansion and has stated that they will incorporate the small business player resources as part of their expansion
    that is the kind of example which is also of great help to the small business man

  10. ac Avatar
    ac

    pieceuhderockyeahright July 4, 2016 at 1:31 PM #

    @ Donna there are 3
    ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
    not as intuitive ad perspective that u believe your self to be …last time i count there were six of us
    Maybe one day i will list them name by name .could come in handy in your stupid cartoon postings

  11. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Tee hee! Enough fun for today.

  12. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    Yall had no right renewing the thiefing IONICS contract with thiefing Bizzy Williams, yall had no right creating a thiefing SBRC contract with thiefing Bizzy Williams to rob the taxpayers.

    Yall had no right using taxpayers money to give that fraud Mark Maloney to build useless houses at Coverley or useless Grotto apartments, both Maloney, Lashley and bribe taking government ministers continue to steal from taxpayers. ..should I continue, or better yet, I will let Piece continue…the tiefing is all in his posters…online..go look at them ACs, you liars, thieves and frauds.

  13. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    @Heather Cole “my mind instantly went to those green garbage trucks that are sitting in the harbour unclaimed. Were you trying to inform the people of Barbados that the Government has signed another Public Private Partnership with Mr. Maloney? Could these green garbage trucks be the reason why the Minister of the Environment who is responsible for ensuring that Barbados is clean has been negligent in his duties? Does it mean that the tax payers will again be saddled with an additional burden for garbage disposal in the form of another levy? I hope that my thoughts are not correct and the trucks have no connection to Government or the collection of public garbage because as far as the public is aware, no contracts have been tendered for any such arrangements.”

    A week or two ago the Minister indicated that the Sanitation Service Authority would no longer be collecting garden waste, and indeed the SSA has stopped collecting garden waste.

    I asked at that time and I asked again what are taxpayers supposed to do with their garden waste?

    Are we going to be compelled to pay a Maloney company to collect our garden waste?

    And I asked then, and I ask again. Will the government refund us a part of our property taxes, since this refusal to collect garden waste is a reduction in the services the taxpayers previously enjoyed?

  14. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    I think this is truly worthy of being stated once again, something so valuable needs to be Spoken without Equivocation, thanks to Silence Is Consent!

    silence is consent July 4, 2016 at 12:42 PM #

    David July 4, 2016 at 12:31 PM #

    @Freedom Crier

    “Your example although unfortunate is at the fringe”.

    Really????

    As for talking about special privileges for whites, I know a very competent Rally Driver, who with the help of another young friend built his car from parts when there was no consideration from Government to waver duties for the Sport, that is the second largest sport on the Island next to Cricket attracting thousands.

    His father worked for one of the largest companies on the island and because no one Son was to shine in the company but the Managing Directors Son, he refused to give backing through this Big Name Company. When the rally driver father went to other companies for sponsorship, they refused because his own Company did not sponsor this capable driver.

    Let me share this young man’s story with you that you may glean his potential; he was once the youngest driver in the Rally Club. His first car was only a desire for better things to come. His first rally he ran it in without spare tires, but did the best he could.

    A few years passed and his passion was relentless. His parents gave him an opportunity with their savings to enter a rally in England, which he placed 20 overall in a new an unknown territory without any family around to support him.

    The next year they sent him back again to England footing the bill because there was no other assistance. This time he entered the Robin Hood Rally (another unknown territory) with a 150 international competitors in a four-wheel drive car, which his parents rented at a cost they could hardly afford.

    He had never driven a four-wheel rally car before and did not have any practice runs before the rally and had a fault coming off the starting line, which would have caused him time.

    That did not deter his spirit to fulfill his passion. At the end of the rally, he placed 2nd overall overcoming obstacles such as not having a fourth gear reverse gear. His family always taught him, “Challenges Make Champions.”

    The press was inquiring if he was sent there to represent his country Barbados because he had a Barbados banner on the car?

    The really sad part of this story is that in a rally in Barbados his car that he built was wretched and because of unforeseen circumstances his parents or himself could not afford to help anymore and this (white) rally driver has been made to sit on the sidelines now as a Spectator for several years now. What a loss to the Sport and to Barbados and especially to himself.

    So please don’t’ believe that Rallying in Barbados is the white people sport! It is according to each mans abilities and the sponsorship that does not favor whites alone.

    However the saga of the story does not end there, his father was DISPLACED from that Big Name Company he worked for and now with him gone, that Company is one of the Largest Sponsor’s of Rallying on the island, sponsoring Four Rally Drivers. Hmmm, MAKES REASON STARE!!!

    So to see that Racism being perpetuated abetted and brought to the boiling point in this country is truly the Saddest Story Of Them All.

  15. pieceuhderockyeahright Avatar
    pieceuhderockyeahright

    @ Simple Simon.

    Barring Joining the regular bajan who is now throwing their stuff into gullies, along side the road, in skips, in the community village dump, yes you will be required to pay the community green trucks that the Maloney fellow cut a side deal on, with the Minister and crooneys, yes you going have to pay or brek de law like the rest uh we.

  16. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    I will just break the law then…sometimes governments give their people no choice.

    Ir I will leave the bags out front until the pile is as high as the Berlin Wall (used to be) or Trump’s wall will be.

    As I said before I am too old and too weak and too sick (arthritis) to lug the bags of garden waste on my head to the landfill.

    I am too poor to pay a guy with a truck (whether or not he is named Maloney)

    I don’t own a vehicle.

    My property taxes are all up to date.

    Sometimes governments give their people no choice, but to break the law.

    They can send me to jail (I am too old and too indifferent to care). In jail they will have to give me 3 square meals a day and a warm bed, and on release find a place in the district hospital for me.

  17. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    My property taxes are all up to date.

  18. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    But the fellows with the other type of grass, have no such problems in disposing of it.

  19. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    As long as both governments realize that just as the people’s eyes are now open fully after decades of lies and deceit from politicians, theft of taxpayer’s money, schemes and scams, the voters rightly no longer trust politicians. …so too these scams between greedy government ministers and the corrupt minorities fraudulently calling themselves successful business people, also has to come to an abrupt end….nothing lasts forever.

  20. ac Avatar
    ac

    a smart bajan can start a mulching business with all that unused grass but bajans attitude to look for govt to give away everything stifles their minds and chokes their brains of anything meaningful

  21. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    What have we got in Barbados to Mulch? River Tamarind, Marijuana or the grass at the side of some city streets?

  22. ac Avatar
    ac

    Your answer is an exam ple of one of the many negative attitudes that keep most bajans stagnated and indecisive Now a smart person with an eye on building and production of a business does not only think of one area of deploying the product but look across the vast land seeking searching and promoting their product /industry in other areas within the Caribbean but for your limited mind all u see is barbados

  23. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    ACs…I do believe there are people already supplying mulch that they have turned into plant soil and sell at Carters and other outlets, you do know that the island is very tiny and the population even tinier…so everything is limited in scope…that’s why your government should never be taking bribes for contracts from the minorities, the contracts should always be spread evenly and fairly to spread the wealth aroubd.

    Because of the tiny land mass, because of the tiny population and limited scope you dummies…yall swallowed Arthur’s crap about first world status and repeated the nonsense, while not taking into consideration that the island well never get any bigger, the population will never grow much larger, ya barely bigger than the city of Missasauga outside Toronto, with less than half the population.

    Stop stealing the contracts and giving to the minorities for bribes and there will be enough to spread around…stop helping Cow, Bizzy, Bjerkham, Maloney and the other halfassed business people stagnate black businesses and ya will see the difference.

  24. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    Then ya will see real growth because the wealth will be no longer in the hands of the few, more money circulating….not just a bunch of goddamn buildings….and calling it development, what’s so progressive about that crook Bjerkham cutting the salaries of grown men with families and calling it an initiative…for whom, with his greedy piggish looking self…and to add insult to injury one of the bribetaking ministers put that crook in the central bank, so taxpayers are paying him a salary…for what.

    yall aint ready and should not be in parliament. ..be gone.

  25. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    ac July 4, 2016 at 4:48 PM #

    “Your answer is an example of one of the many negative attitudes that keep most bajans stagnated and indecisive Now a SMART PERSON with an eye on BUILDING and PRODUCTION of a business does NOT ONLY THINK of ONE AREA of DEPLOYING the PRODUCT but LOOK ACROSS THE VAST LAND SEEKING SEARCHING and PROMOTING THEIR PRODUCT /INDUSTRY in other areas WITHIN the Caribbean but for YOUR LIMITED MIND all u see is Barbados…”

    @ ac

    Interesting comments. Perhaps Halloute of Chefette fame could “learn a thing or two” from your advice.

  26. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    @ac July 4, 2016 at 4:20 PM “a smart bajan can start a mulching business with all that unused grass but bajans attitude to look for govt to give away everything.”

    I am not looking for government to “give” me anything. I HAVE PAID MY TAXES.

    And in return I demand the service for WHICH I HAVE ALREADY PAID THE GOVERNMENT.

  27. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    I will not pay the government AND a private entity too (whether or not named Maloney)

    If the government expects me topay twice then the government ought rightly to refund me a portion of my land taxes.

  28. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    I hope that the government is not just making room for a minister and his private contractor friends to make money offa picking up my garden waste.

    I need my money to buy food.

    I can’t and won’t pay twice.

  29. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    @Simple Simon, the Sun, the Moon and the truth all reveal themelves in the essence of time. It takes about 24 hours for both the sun and the moon but we never know when thw truth will choose to appear. Those trucks cannot stay in the Port forever, not when greed is at stake.

  30. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    Whatever it is, you know it’s something dirty between contractor and government ministers to rob the people of their hardearned money, with very little benefit. You know, you know.

    None of them can be trusted.

  31. BaJan boy Avatar
    BaJan boy

    @ac it is really difficult to rationalize your ignorance. The party you have benefitted so much from is supposed to be socialist progressive party and can you tell me where that description fits. Freundel Stuart who pretended all the years that he is a strong supporter of comrade Fidel now runs a government that has made 7 very wealthy white men ten times wealthier and the masses have regressed. You should be ashamed to speak of Mia who was part of progressive conservative administration in a leading role for 14 years that saw the country progressed and a number of young black entrepreneurs springing to prominence.. Can you really list any accomplishments of this government or what you think lazy, selfish uncaring Freundel’s legacy will be.Freundel is more racist than you can ever imagine but it benefits him to keep the dirty linen among the small inner circle to save reputationin. Remember the term get a lawyer check and see which of the same 7 white men paid the $ 268k

  32. ac Avatar
    ac

    The only people who cannot see improvements in the economy are the blp operatives leading when financial instituions said the same and the blp still cast doubts
    So ac would not even bother or waste time discussing any achievments the govt have made in the last six years
    However this what i would say the voter would have the last word

  33. BaJan boy Avatar
    BaJan boy

    @ac an economy that has declined by upwards of 15% in the last 8 years has been projected to have a 1% growth is like dropping a glass of water in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. That equates to a few hundred million lost and u seem proud. Truly a clown.

  34. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    I suppose I could that hire a rich white guy. I suppos I could hire a Minister’s friend. But why should I fire my current guy when he is a good, hard working, neat, honest gardener (formerly a “boy on the block”)

    But he bought a weed whacker and armed with bus fare he goes from house to house doing good jobs and earning an honest living. I pay him $25 per hour and I am happy to do so.

    Am I supposed to fire him, and hire a much better off guy with a truck?

    Am I supposed to fire him and hire a rich white guy?

    Am I supposed to fire him and hire a Minister’s friend?

    What aren’t poor people supposed to get work too?

    Isn’t it my money? Don’t I have the right to hire whom I prefer with my own money?

    Should I fire my current guy and send him to climb through the window of a rich white guys or or the windows of Cabinet Ministers?

    After all he has to eat too. He has to go to the superjarket too. And his money has to come from somewhere.

    And if a man can’t find honest work what is he supposed to do?

    Starve????

    You joking right?

  35. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    @ac July 4, 2016 at 7:51 PM “The only people who cannot see improvements in the economy are the blp operatives.”

    I am not a BLP operative.

    I am not a member of any political party.

    I am not talking about the economy.

    I am talking about the fact that this government is denying householders a service that householders have always PAID for.

  36. BaJan boy Avatar
    BaJan boy

    @Simple Simon it is quite obvious that ac wears progressive lenses that is why he is able to see growth in the economy.

  37. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    We are NOT beggars. We don’t want freebies. We just want what we have PAID for.

  38. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    @ac July 4, 2016 at 7:51 PM “the voter would have the last word.”

    You are right the voter will have the last word.

    You have already lost my vote.

  39. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    These clowns in parliament really believe that people with intelligence would want to see them doing more damage to the people, country and it’s reputation than they have already….cha

  40. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    The hold up with the 15 Garbage trucks in the Port, maybe just a matter of obtaining fresh documents from the exporter, showing a change of ownership, from M to B.

  41. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    ac July 4, 2016 at 7:51 PM #

    “The only people who cannot see improvements in the economy are the blp operatives leading when financial institutions said the same and the blp still cast doubts. So ac would not even bother or waste time discussing any achievements the govt have made in the last six years…”

    @ ac

    You should definitely discuss “any achievements the govt have made in the last six years.” While you’re at it, explain economic growth within the Barbadian context and tell us about the “improvements in the economy.”

    However, I suspect the reason you “would not even bother or waste time discussing” these achievements is because you are out of your depth when it comes to economic issues and you cannot rely on your usual political rhetorical generalized statements to get you through.

    I know you will play the IMF card. But remember, the IMF said: “The economy APPEARS to have turned the corner with activity picking up. Real GDP grew by 0.8 percent in 2015, UNDERPINNED by a SURGE in tourism arrivals…..”

    It is politically expedient for you to “jump and wave” at the IMF’s announcement that “the economy APPEARS to have turned the corner with activity picking up.”

    However, if you READ the ENTIRE REPORT, I’m sure you would also characterize the IMF as “BLP operatives” as well.

    In 2006 Barbados’ GDP annual growth rate was recorded at 5.7; 2007 = 1.7; 2008 = 0.3; 2009 = -4.1 (which is a significant decline); 2010 = 0.3; 2011 = 0.8; 2012 = 0.3; 2013 = -0.1; 2014 = 0.2. If you were to “chart” these figures, you will realize that Barbados still has a long way to go before experiencing real economic growth.

    As Bajan Boy wrote: “……an economy that has declined by upwards of 15% in the last 8 years has been projected to have a 1% growth is like dropping a glass of water in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.”

    And he is CORRECT. Does mentioning this fact makes him a “BLP operative?”

    Since tourism does not earn significant amounts of revenue for Barbados, heavy reliance on the industry has not led to adequate economic growth. As a result, this administration needs to explore alternative solutions. Unfortunately, economic innovation continues to elude the DEMS.

    When people present this data, it does not mean they are “BLP operatives” or they do not want Barbados to prosper. They decide to present the truth and not follow government’s lead by manipulating the economic data, which is must worst.

  42. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    @ Colonel Buggy thanks for the info. By the time Bizzy takes possession of the Green garbage trucks, the follow up article will be ready.

  43. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    An edited version of the article was carried in Barbados Today dated Monday July 4th,2016.

  44. ac Avatar
    ac

    @Artax

    Sir you have spoken your peace now roll it up stick it under your arm and walk with it

    Thank You

    The Fact that the country was falling off the cliff in 2008 when govt took office does not mean nothing to you that seven years later the country is still standing
    The fact that the deficit which stood at an all time high and has been reduce to a satisfactory level does not mean nothing to you
    The fact that unemployment has dropped does not mean nothing to you
    the fact that even when credit ratings have lowered our ratings and in the face of all that seriousness govt has still managed to steer the country out of dangerous waters does not mean nothing you
    i gather from your rants and raves that all that matters is Nothing

    Now tell me this if this govt has done nothing , What plans does the opposition have for doing Something
    Maybe i am missing something here but i have heard of Nothing the opposition have stated on doing SOMETHING for barbados economy

    Sir i would be embarrassed to keep showing all those great numbers when the BLP was in office , Reason being that when the global meltdown hit our island there was nothing in the nest egg left that could have served sufficient purpose in rescuing barbados fiscal needs socially or economically
    All that was left was high debt

  45. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    ACs….the government ministers are paid a salary by the taxpayers to do a job, right now their actions or lack of are mediocre at best.

    The ministers do not know what they are doing and they breed too much corruption to benefit themselves only….on that note, that is why they will be kicked out.

    They continued to ignore the majority who elected them, so as to collect a few bribes from minorities, now they want the attention of the voters, so now who’s ya daddy? it sure ain’t the criminals Maloney, Bizzy, Cow, Harris, Bjerkham, Tempro or Parris…the politicians/ministers are now returning to their vomit, the voters, after 5 years…hope they enjoy the taste.

    How can they have, not one, but 2 groundbreakings for the Sam Lord’s castle project to start, lying to voters…again.

    This time the voters know the politicians are lying…ain’t life grand.

  46. ac Avatar
    ac

    Yes sir i agree the GPD decline but one cannot just look at the numbers one has to see the factors
    The blp would like every one to belive that the govt came in 2008 and like mad people wipe out gains
    In any situation facts are relevant to circumstance and the facts being that across the globe not only barbados was recording slow or no growth but some of the biggest players in the international market including the U S A.
    because of external and internal forces causing major slumps across the globe
    Now you can pull all those numbers but one can reasonably and correctly say that the economic stabilty of barbados under the OSA was positioned by external factors to be favourable in contrast to when this govt came to office and had to deal with external as well as internal unfavourable factors .Good economic stability on small island nations is highly dependable on how those natiins that these small island countries dependable are performing e.g the tourism sector.one does not have to be a stastician to understsnd its relevancy in 3004 and present to barbados growth or economic performance that is a fact
    Again Sir given the excellent score card by the blp my question to you how about sustainability given all that you say is true how come the country in a two year period did not have a sufficient fiscal foundation left over by the blp upon which could have positioned the country to steer clear or provided a safety valve to help barbados withstand the negative forces of the global melt down but instead govt had to use austerity measures to pull barbados off the cliff
    Btw do u know that even OSA understood the gravity of the situation and his prescription was and still is wholesale Privatization to which Mia agreed in some of her speeches
    So fool do not get here throwing numbers without relevant facts either way to support mitigating circumstances

  47. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    @ ac

    Hahahahahahaha, I anticipated your response would comprise of the usual political rhetorical generalized statements, which are more appropriate for the political platform. But we all know you use this forum for campaign purposes and to spew DLP propaganda.

    Greece “was falling off the cliff in 2008 (and) seven years later the country is still standing.” Why? Despite a country may be facing adverse economic conditions, economic activity continues.

    As it relates to your comments on the deficit, perhaps if you READ the recent IMF Article IV Consultation or the Central Bank reports as THOROUGH as you read the DLP’s website, you would not have written that shiite. The “deficit is STILL at an all time HIGH” and “has NOT been REDUCED to SATISFACTORY LEVELS.”

    According to the IMF report: “FISCAL REFORMS have YIELDED LESS THAN EXPECTED. After significant consolidation in FY2014/15, the DEFICIT in FY2015/16 REMAINED BROADLY UNCHANGED, short of government’s objective, due to delayed implementation of June 2015 tax measures and slow progress with the reform of the state owned enterprises (SOE). Consequently, PUBLIC SECTOR DEBT ROSE to 105.5 percent of GDP from 98 percent at the end of FY2013/14.”

    In layman’s terms, the FY2015/16 deficit target was not met and public debt increased from 98% in FY2013/14 to 105.5% in FY2015/16.

    The CBB’s May 16, 2016 economic letter also stated the fiscal adjustment was incomplete. The FY2014/15 cash deficit of $600M or 6.9% of GDP, increased in FY2015/16 to $648.4M or 7.4% of GDP.

    The CBB continues to finance the deficit by “printing new money” to the amount of $190M, which consequently led to an expansion in the monetary base at an average of 28% y/y every month since September 2014. This action resulted in pressure on the foreign reserves, which lost 18% y/y in April 2016.

    Barbados’ unemployment decreased to 11.30% in the third quarter of 2015 from 11.90% in the second quarter of 2015 and I’m happy that Barbadians were able to find employment.
    So I must agree that there was a decrease in the unemployment rate. Perhaps you would care to tell me how this administration was responsible for the decrease.

    I am NOT a MEMBER or SUPPORTER of the BLP (despite you and BU’s blog-master accusing me of being a BLP yard-fowl, probably because, unlike both of you, I do not sing in the DLP’s choir), so your question re: “What plans does the opposition have for doing Something” should be DIRECTED to the BLP.

    However, as suggested by the blog-master, I will attempt to “comment fairly on issues of a political nature.” The Opposition is just that, the Opposition; they cannot implement economic policy. Don’t worry, come 2018 you will hear what the “opposition has stated on doing SOMETHING for Barbados’ economy.”

    As I have stated before, if you lot is all the DLP has to offer to defend them in this forum, their money would be better spent by employing individuals who have a bit more knowledge of social and economic issues and not ONLY versed in rhetorical political diatribe.

  48. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Artax

    “Versed?” Not even well-versed in that!

  49. BaJan boy Avatar
    BaJan boy

    I don’t think that @ac understands that a declining economy is a poorer people. Fortunate for him he wouldn’t fall into the poorer group as he enjoys his share of the fatted calf.

  50. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    Anyone with an understanding of basic economic theory would conclude that Owen Arthur pursued some UNSUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC POLICIES. But that has been the NORM with BOTH administrations, especially after creating a society not BASED on SELF-SUFFICIENCY, but on MENDICANCY. They have encouraged people into believing it’s their absolute right to rely on or beg government for everything.

    To be fair to Arthur, in November 2007 he told Barbadians about the then pending economic crisis. But put political spin on the issue by saying Barbadians should not trust the DLP to “chart them through the rough waters.”

    Essentially, the ECONOMY of any country should be of PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE and on the AGENDA of any SERIOUS political party. A PROACTIVE Opposition would have known about the economic crisis, since they should be monitoring the world-wide economic situation; the state of the Barbados economy, the level of debt and all the economic variables relative to Barbados’ economic stability.

    The DLP cannot DENY this fact because, while in opposition, they WERE PRIVY to the Central Bank reports and, more importantly, the Leader of the Opposition, senior government officials, and representatives of the private sector, labor organizations and academia, are also PRESENT at the IMF Article IV Consultations (read the end of the reports).

    Taking these facts into consideration, the DLP should have formulated economic policies to cope with the anticipated adverse economic conditions. What the DEMS did instead was to concentrate specifically on winning the 2008 general elections, perhaps hoping the recession would have been short-term.

    You often allude to the fact that the Opposition BLP does not any “bring solutions” to help the economy. However, if you were to seriously analyze the DLP’s 2008 election manifesto and campaign strategy, it was devoid of any economic proposals to weather the recession or prepare Barbados for the future, but mainly contained grandeur promises which served to maintain the “mendicancy status quo” so as to win the elections.

    Arthur exhibited some measure of recklessness in managing Barbados’ economy, which became evident during the recession. The DLP also contributed to this recklessness as is EVIDENCED by the POLICIES they PURSUED during the first two years of forming the governing administration.

    BOTH the BLP and DLP are MORE CONCERNED with WINNING elections. For example, neither BLP nor DLP has taken Barbados’s aging population into consideration.

    This island is confronted by the prospect of large and rising future costs related to the aging of the population. Drastic measures are necessary to check the rapid growth of current and future liabilities of government and reduce its adverse consequences for long-term growth and monetary stability. This rapidly aging population presents Barbados with the prospect of enormous future costs that are not wholly recognised in current budget projections. For example, there has been a significant increase in the abandonment of senior citizens at both the general and district hospitals; their upkeep has to be undertaken by the state. Also, many individuals have not properly prepared themselves for retirement, and will often depend on the state for financial and other support. These factors, as well as the services that are already being provided by government, will ultimately incur additional costs to the tax payers of this country.

    I know many of you will dismiss this as shiite (especially the blog-master), but these are the types of discussions I prefer to engage, rather than unimportant, unproductive political gimmicks such as constituency councils.

The blogmaster invites you to join and add value to the discussion.

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