est. 2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

Mia Mottley Refuses to Dance the “Sandals Shuffle”

Afra Raymond unpacks the Sandals matter in his recent blogpost , Property Matters – Sandals Shuffle, AGAIN – David, Afra Raymond “…we are running a Country, not a Company…” —Mia Mottley QC MP, Barbados PM – from her inaugural budget Wednesday, 20 March 2019 This title occurred to me due to the quiet backsliding of the…

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Afra Raymond unpacks the Sandals matter in his recent blogpost , Property Matters – Sandals Shuffle, AGAIN – David, Afra Raymond

“…we are running a Country, not a Company…”
—Mia Mottley QC MP, Barbados PM – from her inaugural budget Wednesday, 20 March 2019

This title occurred to me due to the quiet backsliding of the main supporters of the Tobago Sandals project. This is the kind of situation where people thought they were operating safely in the dark, until someone suddenly opens the door and turns on the lights. The emergence of Sandals’ recent skirmishes have also reminded me of a shuffle.

Those shameless promoters told the public repeatedly about how satisfactory the existing arrangements were for State-owned hotels and went on to explain the special benefits of Sandals and so on and so forth. The steady exposure of the rickety arrangements for the existing hotels and the publication of the Tobago Sandals MoU have combined to end the scheme. Sunlight is really the best disinfectant.

The decisive point here, in terms of the important issue of Caribbean Leadership Standards, is that our current political administration agreed to make tax/duty/work permit concessions to Sandals for that Tobago project which the State was funding. In all the other Sandals projects and their various issues about concessions, about which we are hearing so much, those hotels were built by Sandals. In Tobago, our Treasury was going to fund the entire resort and yet our politicians were intending to grant concessions, facilitate transfer-pricing and allow Sandals free choice in respect of goods and services. No wonder those Sandals officials were smiling the whole time. I tell you.

Please note that this kind of deal is not found anywhere else on the planet. That is for those supporters who want to chat about how Sandals transformed here or there. Here is the only country in which we were going to pay for the entire resort. Under the terms of that MoU Sandals was putting no money at risk. None.

None of the former defenders of Tobago Sandals seem ready, willing or able to defend their proposals, now that the actual agreed intentions have been disclosed. We are yet to hear any T&T leader even hint at repudiating any of the detrimental terms agreed in that Tobago Sandals MoU.

That position is quite different from that of the Barbados PM Mia Mottley QC who in delivering her first budget on Wednesday 20th March 2019 spoke strongly against Sandals proposals to obtain certain guarantees which would have prevented them from being taxed any differently for a term of 40 years. PM Mottley was clear in rejecting the Sandals proposals as being inimical to the stability of their country, and diluting the role of Parliament in establishing taxes. ‘…we are running a country, not a company‘ was a striking phrase used by PM Mottley, one for us to remember.

https://videopress.com/embed/uODmNqeW?hd=0&autoPlay=0&permalink=0&loop=0

Read full blog post –

Property Matters – Sandals Shuffle

Graphic credit: Afra Raymond

125 responses to “Mia Mottley Refuses to Dance the “Sandals Shuffle””

  1. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Wait bozie.you don’t read that Liat employees had a big salary cut
    And the Transport board cut employees today
    And that govt still plan on keeping its bloated cabinet in tack and have no plans of cutting them salaries

  2. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Just another update food prices are in the up and up category as farmers protest the water hikes by stating the new tax rate (would) all but account for price hike in foods
    Have you not noticed that today BU had diverted attention from this BAD News by posting an article call Chocolate
    How sweet! Wuhloss muh belly

  3. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Oh before i forget
    Bankers are furious at Mottley for giving them the shitty end of the stick of the stick in its restructing of debt
    Vowing not to lend govt any money

  4. David Avatar
    David

    What the banker said is that banks will not lend to governments with debt to gdp of greattthan 60%. At 160% of Godwin’s was unsustainable. What would you have done? Continue to print 50 million monthly to pay civil servants salaries?

  5. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    One veteran banker has likened Government domestic debt restructuring plan to that of “an axe in the heart of banks”, while giving a strong indication that commercial banks will no longer be willing to take on Government debt, other than what they are mandated to by law. Chairman of Republic Financial Holdings Limited Ronald Harford […ald Harford suggested that banks would be even more skeptical about investing in Government paper, following the deal reached with them last year.

    He was speaking while taking part in a panel discussion at the 10th Domestic Financial Institutions Conference at the Central Bank on Thursday under the theme Repositioning Barbados’ Financial Sector.

    “Banks have to revisit their thinking about lending to Government. I think the goal that the Government has, of having a debt to GDP of 60 per cent is going to visit them [banks] in their needs to access capital from today . . . [and] the banks are going to take a view that if they are going to lend to Government the debt to GDP must not exceed 60 per cent,” said Harford.

    “So the vast majority of the islands will not be able to access capital from the banking system, they will have to go to the CDB [Caribbean Development Bank], IMF [and others] to finance their debt, and that is a lesson that came home very clearly and has sunk into the psyche of the banks in the region,” he said, as he pointed out that the banks lost heavily on a number of Government securities in the region.

    In its 2018 annual report published last December, Republic Financial said that increased provisions resulting from the impact of the Government default and subsequent restructuring of its debt had resulted in a $22 million decrease in the profit of its Barbados operation after tax.

    As at September 30, 2018, the bank’s commercial banking subsidiary had made a total provision of TT$727 million for its exposure to the Barbados Government.

    “When in negotiating the restructuring of the debt, the Barbados Government could say to the banks if you lend to a country whose debt to GDP exceeds 140 per cent, you can’t be serious about getting back all of your money, that was like an axe that went into the heart of the banks. We will need to be [wiser] about how we go forward, it is a very strong and brutal lesson that we have learned,” said Harford.

    As at December 2017, commercial banks were required by law to hold 20 per cent of their deposits in stipulated Government securities and at September last year, commercial banks had a total of $180.7 million in Government debt.

    Back in September, Government had announced that it had reached a debt restructuring deal for domestic holders of Government debt, while promising that a similar deal for external creditors would be announced in the not-too-distant future.

    Under that deal, which was finalized for domestic debt holders in last October, the majority of loans were swapped for new debt instruments, with lower interest rates and a longer period over which they would be repaid.]

  6. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    The facts being that barbados has a long way to go for such an economic reality of lowering GDP to satisfy bankers appetitite for loaning govt debt
    As of now govt would have to continue on a plan of borrowing and using barbadian households as collateral by way of austerity policies and initiatives directed by the IMF
    NO not printing money but after ten years in the wilderness it is mind boggling that outside of harsh criticisms govt does not have the vision or wherewithal of creating a productive growth plan for the economy
    The Bad news being dolled out today is sufficient to tell that govt would be relying heavily on the IMf for further funding
    If what barbadian households are feeling in the firm of economic pain the reality of mire to come is very much real

  7. john2 Avatar
    john2

    So liat is everybody?

    So what if the banks don’t want to lend? Were you not on that crying down borrowing by government?

  8. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    “the Barbados Government could say to the banks if you lend to a country whose debt to GDP exceeds 140 per cent, you can’t be serious about getting back all of your money,”
    Sweet. Calling a spade a spade.
    The Banks are at fault to a degree, for their choice was to avoid political involvement. The SECURITY of SOVEREIGN DEBT is the ability of a government to TAX its people. The loans to a Sovereign have NO COLLATERAL, and when the citizens are already taxed to the bawla, and we are still several hundred thousand away from Fiscal Balance, it was up to the Banks to say NO MORE.
    When we read the exposure of the Banks, I shudder to think of the exposure of the NIS. A topic on which the GoB has been largely silent.

  9. SirSimpleSimonPresidentForLife Avatar
    SirSimpleSimonPresidentForLife

    @Donna March 29, 2019 10:59 AM “Brawling men, anybody?”

    No thanks.

  10. David Avatar
    David

    @Northern Observer

    True, also you might add the financial institutions were forced to buy government securities.

  11. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    John2 . are you simply being dumb
    Cant you see the reality of all thatvis happening because of present govt policies backed by the IMF
    Dont you understand that going forward when govt can no longer use taxation as a plan to pay debt and the local economy starts to feel the pain of loss revenue the either or plan as was demonstrated by Liat to its employees would go into full swing
    This is no joke becasuse more barbadian households would be feeling the effects as well as local business who struggle to keep their businesses afloat
    Tourist spend down unemployment going through the roof
    The question then remains where would govt get necessary funding to pay debt and keep the economy in good standing
    As for her cabinet the strain of wanting to please her and their constituients would be too much to handle
    Mia constrain mechanism might be in place to keep her ministers under control but for how long

  12. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Another story being reported is that banks are not lending startup business funding but if one read tge article where it is stated that banks are furious with govt
    The article also indicates because of govt inability to pay the banks debt banks would become tougher in their lending practices to local business
    In todays new the head of BES was speaking about the hardened lending practices which banks continue to holdfast
    Mia long arm of unilateralism has closed many financial oppirtunties for local business and those having ideas of starting their own business
    The economic news continues to get dire for the local economy

  13. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Another story which BU would not highlight would be that of increase rents expected because of the tax increases on property which include office space.
    Another blow to households renting and the local economy thus business renting spaces in malls and other industrial sites
    It took past govt ten years to make decision that were harsh
    In ten months prsent govt has taken upon itself to use a sharpened axe and destroy the lives of many barbadians while asking them to stay the course
    Well Well

  14. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Govt policies are presenting an ever present danger of two paths one of expanding social welfare for the poor and vulnerable
    The other of inviting nefarious guest to peddle their illegal wares in barbados
    When people are hungry and bills to be paid and there are no alternatives people look to what best service there needs
    So far govt policies are hurting people without having a remdy whereby those being hurt can seek meaningful resolution like having jobs while bajan households are getting closer to the poverty line
    Where are the voices that were calling for change now that change has arrived in the most devastating manner
    Where is the voice of DavidBU who thought of himself as a voice to be one of transparency but see it now fit to say nothing on behalf of barbadians whose lives are being completly torn apart because of govt policies

  15. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Yardfowl status notwithstanding, Mariposa has posed some questions that need discussion. One should not dismiss her valid questions with cryptic comments. We are well aware that this administration is walking a tightrope. The management of any economy is a balancing act but at least we should debate how balance can be achieved.

    If we seek to be credible we must discuss her concerns with an open mind even though we know that her beloved DLP was totally incompetent to say the least and tipped the balance so far that drastic measures may now have to be taken to stop a fall into the abyss.

    At least Mariposa poses some substance rather than cockadoodledos! We should just answer her points and refute them if we have another view.

    Just saying.

  16. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Not expecting any response since the blp yardfowls seem to have taken the same posture as the dlp one of hibernation
    Never thought that a 30- 0 victory would have given silence to the many blp operatives who invaded BU for ten years ( with the exception of 2)
    In any case i will pin point and highlight the Policies of govt which have a cascading diwnward spiral of negativity to the nations economy
    I might be the lone voice but one that is necessary

  17. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    Mariposa March 30, 2019 7:45 AM

    What can Help any Country including Barbados is to Apply More Free Market Capitalism Principles that when Applied Brings Prosperity to All, at Every Level in Society…

    Do you have a Problem with Prosperity for All?

    Employment is NOT Servitude, Employment is when Employers pay Employees for their Labour..

    Socialism is when We Are All Employees and HAVE TO PAY OUR EMPLOYER THE STATE.

    We Cannot Trust A System That Is Feeding Off The People.

    In Barbados we have no Natural resources to prop up our Economy

    Bringing this reality of full Blown Socialism close to home are our neighbors in Venezuela and the ills they are suffering with corruption on every level by their elected officials. The Government controls the largest known oil reserves in the world, yet the Country is Broke. They also control through compulsory means the food distribution system, yet there is little food and people scavenge to survive. There is diminutive water and energy shortages, not even to speak about basic commodities and medical supplies and needed medications! Yet they blame America for all their tribulations, it is never their fault! Want to guess who the richest person in Venezuela is! None other than Hugo Chavez’s daughter.

    Any country on earth is capable of creating the like, watch the trend or patterns evolving you only need to follow the path to Venezuela. Attack property rights and Trade, Pillage the Rich, abolish the Price System, Jail Dissenters, crush the opposition, and dismantle the System of National Liberty. This is Socialism; it is a path to Hell on Earth. How many steps are we in Barbados away from this Peril? We sure are on a downward slope.

    http://i.imgur.com/4MUfF0h.jpg

  18. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    There is Only One Way Out of Poverty

    What’s the best way to help people stuck in poverty get out of poverty?

    Listen I like you could never envision our country in this situation…but from where I am standing we are in some deep sewage and some choose to bury their heads in the sand

    Choose to make Barbados great, if you want change be the change!

    RECOGNIZE THAT SOCIALISM IS A SLOW PROCESS OF ROT AND DECAY.
    Where is Our Presence System of Governance under Socialism Leading with Unrestrained Taxation?

    Capitalism (Free Market System) versus Socialism which Encourages Cronyism and Theft through Taxation!!

    We are on a Very Slippery Slope…

    Free Markets Create Prosperity.

    Socialism Creates Poverty.

    https://nicomaque.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/35f04-539569_10150927547660778_1014556084_n.jpg?w=640&h=400

  19. David Avatar
    David

    @Donna

    What is your point? The blogmaster has had to defend against yardfowls from both sides of the political fence since 2007.

    The poor will always be with us.

    Under the Dees we highlighted.

    Under the Bees it will be highlighted.

    The struggle will be to ensure the government establishes a strong safety net.

    However, we are aware pre May 24, 2018 general election what was the situation.

    Sewage spewing in the streets, garbage blowing across our roads, roads with the deepest potholes, government printing 50 million monthly to pay salaries, foreign exchange reserves at 300 million, credit rating down grades, zero confidence etc etc etc…

    The government has had to take tough decisions to arrest the situation- we have discuss this ad nauseam. When austerity measures are implemented it will not be a happy time for obvious reasons.

    The blogmaster has posted his position on the bus fare matter, the waiver of tax penalties and awarding a knighthood to her father and other issues. The blogmaster has allowed others to post dissenting positions as well.

    Now pray tell what more would you want this blogmaster to say? The blogmaster does not have to respond to every comment on the blog especially if the philosophy and perspective on most matters are known.

    Some of us love to nitpick. We have a blog where there are multiple items critical of government, yet we have some who feel comfortable throwing criticisms the way of the blogmaster for being partisan. The idiocy!

    Hope this is not too cryptic for you.

  20. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    When Freedom stated that In Barbados we have no Natural resources to prop up our Economy…meaning compared to the once Rich Venezuela with one of the Largest Oil Reserves and Gold… And look at that country now…

    You can’t solve a problem without knowing the root cause…that is like taking panadol for a headache when you have a busted blood vessel in the brain! and you feel you fixing things!

    Modern medicine treats the symptoms not the cause. because if they get you to take a pill a day for your life they make money, if they cure you they won’t get any money tomorrow…

    If you ask what we should do, you cannot treat the symptoms only you have to use the symptoms to lead you to the root cause… then you can fix the problem…i have been speaking about the cause of our ills for a long time and some still don’t get it… especially lefties!!

    What socialist governments advocate is more government to solve problems that government caused in the first place!!

    One vicious circle that goes round and round and we end up in a socialist mayhem of sewage!!

    We need desperately to reduce the size of government leaching off the people…we exist to feed their edits…how long can a parasitical entity live off of we the people… will depends on how much it feeds!

    Why have a parasite at all…i am not anti government…i am anti biggggggg government!

    Small government is by the people for the people…big government is for big government…

    They are no longer servants of the people they have become the masters of the people!!

    Oversized Government with its Ideology that is Rooted Socialism, has been such a Stealthy Culprit, that we have come to accept it without questioning. We need to understand that it’s all about Control, Control, Control with Endless Rules and Regulation that are incumbent upon the people.

    THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY OUT!

    https://pics.me.me/ce-venezuela-has-failed-not-because-socialism-has-been-badly-27833178.png

  21. john2 Avatar
    john2

    Donna
    Mariposa and her doom and gloom will soon be proven wrong with the 1st quarter GDP report..

    Remember this

    In any case i will pin point and highlight the Policies of govt which have a cascading diwnward spiral of negativity to the nations economy.

  22. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    🙂
    Read and reread Donna’s statement and did not see it as directed to a specific individual.
    🙂

  23. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    @NO
    The Banks are at fault to a degree, for their choice was to avoid political involvement. The SECURITY of SOVEREIGN DEBT is the ability of a government to TAX its people. The loans to a Sovereign have NO COLLATERAL, and when the citizens are already taxed to the bawla, and we are still several hundred thousand away from Fiscal Balance, it was up to the Banks to say NO MORE.
    +++++++++++++++
    Easier said than done, the Banks owe their operating licenses to he Gov’t and the Gov’t of the day could make things very difficult for the Banks not that they would actually withdraw or cancel the licenses but it could put the screws to the Banks in many ways. These decisions were not made at the local level but in some boardrooms like TO and you are savvy enough to know this. The HO’s are aware of the political machinations and fall out that it would suffer if it said “NO” to the Gov’t, the Banks will do anything to protect their investment until they believe they believe it is not worth protecting anymore.

    BTW you should know that Banks (even in Canada) are not immune to political pressure, remember several years ago when CIBC and TD announced their intention to merge and the Federal Min of Finance objected? The still operate as independent entities today.

  24. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Theo,

    The message was received by the one for who it was intended.

    David,

    What I am trying to say to you is that persons visiting the blog for the first time would be of an opinion that you are biased. It was your cryptic dismissive tone that did it. I am thinking about those who are not ole timers, who have not seen your previous submissions. It does no good for them to put you in the same boat as Mariposa and Lorenzo..

    No need to get sarcastic and acid.

    Just a suggestion from a well-wisher.

  25. David Avatar
    David

    @Donna

    The blogmaster tends to be dismissive of yardfowl comments, Your feedback is noted.

    On Sat, Mar 30, 2019 at 1:40 PM Barbados Underground wrote:

    >

  26. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    It is not a matter of the ” poor always being with us” but what matters are govt ungoing measures that will create more poverty where there was none
    David if u cant see that govt measures would have a drastic slowing of spend creating high inflation as local businesses tries to make up for lost revenue which will lead to depression all of which works against the betterment of creating a healthy economy
    The banks might have plenty of money but when an economy is ailing the banks would hold back on lending money taking into effect high unemployment as one of many reasons
    An econmomy can be likened to a boomerang where when tossed it comes back to the direction from where it was thrown
    So far all econmic indicators reflect an econmomy having steriod taxation with no creation of growth to balance negative effects

  27. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    Oh
    Now I have to re-calibrate all of my BU meters..
    I thought the blogmaster was a bit sensitive but I was wrong…
    His meters are working fine

  28. David Avatar
    David

    Donna uses coded language sometimes- like between Trump and Cohen.

  29. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    It would be interesting to know the data of high inflation in barbados present time
    One can bet that such statictics would be hidden from the eyes and ears of the people
    What is refecting from the smoke and mirror policies of govt is a govt on a mad dash to repay the measly 29million loan from the IMF by any means necessary

  30. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Yes, Theo. His meters are working just fine.

    Trump and Cohen! Good one, David! Which one of us is Trump?

  31. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    WE IN THE CARIBBEAN WE HAVE THE TOPMOST EXAMPLES OF THE FAILURE OF SOCIALISM/COMMUNISM BEING CUBA & VENEZUELA…YET WE TURN A BLIND EYE!!

    DO YOU KNOW HOW ABSURD FREEDOM MUST SOUND TO THOSE WHO ARE COMFORTABLE IN SLAVERY AND FIGHT HARD TO RETAIN IT?

    THINK ABOUT IT…“YOU MAY CHOOSE TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY BUT YOU CANNOT SAY THIS TIME THAT YOU NEVER KNEW” William Wilberforce

    What is the Opposite of Capitalism?

    Statism, in any form!

    Statism is the concentration of power in the state at the expense of individual freedom. Capitalism is the only system which protects individual rights and freedom, but the variety of political systems which violate individual freedom are numerous: Socialism, Communism, Fascism, Nazism, absolute Monarchies, Military Dictatorships, Theocracies, or the Welfare State are all systems which infringe upon individual rights, which means they institutionalize the initiation of force against their citizens.

    It must be realized that there are only two fundamental political philosophies: those who are for freedom and individual rights and those who are against them. The types of political systems who are against freedom and individual rights are numerous, for there are many ways to violate the rights of man, but there is only one political-economic philosophy which upholds that the rights of man are absolute and immutable—Capitalism.

    http://btl.ticadine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screen-Shot-2018-02-02-at-12.36.48-PM-768×430.png

  32. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    “Yardfowl status notwithstanding, Mariposa has posed some questions that need discussion. One should not dismiss her valid questions with cryptic comments.”

    Donna

    I believe many of us who contribute to BU knows and understand the role Mariposa has to play in this forum…… but at times she can ask one or two pertinent questions that deserves answers and further discussion.

    However, her comments re: “The facts being that barbados has a long way to go for such an ECONOMIC REALITY of LOWERING GDP to satisfy bankers appetitite for loaning govt debt…”

    …………negates those “few and far between” moments of inspiration and causes any reasonable and rational thinking individual not to read any further comments and opt to remain silent.

    Are you aware of the harsh repercussions if David BU or I had written that comment?

    That’s why I always “say,” it’s not about WHAT is written…….. it’s about WHO wrote it.

  33. David Avatar
    David

    @Donna

    The use of coded language is where it ends.

    thankfully!

  34. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    First and not last My comments are a reality to what is happening and will continue to this economy
    The media seems to be waking up to such facts and can no longer hid the negative factors that would be a drag on the economy hence the economic stories which media now see reasons to highlight( which soon might lead to the parting of a love nest between them and govt)
    As for u Artax let me remind you as David stated recently
    Dont make Mariposa the story but rather deal with govt policies that are taking the country into a tailspin of high unemployment decrease wages high inflation poverty and expanded social programs

  35. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Would be very much surprised if the blp operatives who frequented BU say anything about the suffering and pain like the bombastic attacks which were levelled at past govt policies
    Cant imagine how any of them can sleep at night knowning that they input of calling for change for better has turned into bitter medicine implented by present govt for an entire population
    When one take a read at today’s articles it makes one wept for what has taken place within 10 mths
    No Artax it is not about Mariposa but the barrage of harsh policies which the present govt is using to reconstruct an ailing economy

  36. Freedom Crier Avatar
    Freedom Crier

    Free Enterprise Capitalism which is what Donald Trump’s Policies are All About that is why America has the Strongest Economy right now . Free Enterprise Capitalism is not to be CONFUSED with Crony Capitalism which Socialist Governments Practice where Big Business Collude with Government for Kick Backs as in Hillary’s Play to Pay!!

    You need to Understand that There is a Difference between Free Market (Capitalism) and Socialism… There is a Stark Difference…

    How is Free Enterprise “Capitalism” better than Socialism?

    All of the big cities in America have democratic mayors and are cities that have the highest unemployment rate, the highest poverty rate, the most crime, the most homelessness, the most crooked politicians, most lawlessness… and they have the highest government pension liabilities that they can never repay…and since they cannot repay they are reducing the cities liabilities by 50%-100%….

    How is that for being the caring gang they claim to be? Everything they do pretending to be caring creates misery, including the deserted and abandoned neighbourhoods as in Detroit…while California has now become the homeless capital of America. It is also the state with the most people leaving.

    Freedom Crier Celebrates the Spirit of Freedom and tries to live in accordance with that of individual Sovereignty, which Independence has been given to each individual by a wise and loving God. I am truly grateful for ability to make Correct Choices even when faced with Gut Wrenching Oppression that threaten the very fabric our existence, through the Tragedy of Government-Overreach, Whither B Or D!

    https://pics.me.me/your-house-on-socialisim-ap-your-politicians-house-on-socialism-35959192.png

  37. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Skip to main content
    Barbados Advocate

    A GUY’S VIEW: POOR PEOPLE DEAD
    Sun, 03/31/2019 – 1:12am
    BY:
    R. E. GUYSON MAYERS
    “And you tell me that the world progress
    You tell me to look ahead
    But all I see is dread
    All I see is poor people dead
    Poor people dead…
    So how the world progress
    When the rich don’t care ‘bout the rest
    And got the world in a mess
    All I see is poor people dead.”

    Poor People Dead – Poem by Aja.

    The gullible may regard it as a stroke of genius. A Government elected less than one year has embarked on an election style campaign to rally its base to continue suffering in support of its programmes which are devastating the poor in the land. This is unheard of in these parts, but it speaks to the reality which this country now faces and elaborate attempts to obfuscate this reality.

    Taxes are cut for the rich, the famous and the infamous, but a heavier burden is placed on the backs of those who are least able to bear it. And those poor people who are treated like beasts of burden are given T-shirts to sloganize their suffering. Stay the course.
    It is often necessary in capitalist states for the masses to be persuaded to act in ways that are contrary to their interests. This is usually achieved through sophistry and persuasive speech. But even then, it works because the people hope for what they do not see. In the current Barbados case, the people who are asked to commit suicide see the sword that is hanging over them and are still willing to put their necks on the block. This is exceptional behaviour that demands psychiatric evaluation.

    Contemplating what our poor people are now facing brought to my mind an old Charles Johnson hymn called Rough Side of the Mountain. When you know the words you would recognise that only black people sing this.

    “Oh lord I’m striving
    trying to make it through this barren land
    but as I go from day to day
    I can hear my savior say
    trust me child
    come home
    I’ll hold your hand

    I’m coming up
    On the rough side
    On the rough side
    Of the mountain.
    Of the mountain …
    and I’m doing my best to make it in

    I’m coming up lord
    I’m coming up lord yes
    although my burdens
    sometime press me down
    if I could only keep the faith
    I would have strength
    just to run this race
    lord I’m lookin lookin for my stary crown….”

    Poor people in Barbados are being put to the sword unnecessarily, and almost all of the media bases in the country have been mobilized to tell them to stay the course. Suffer for no good reason and wait for your pie in the sky – your starry crown. Damn them.
    Meanwhile, those who wield the whip sit pretty like demigods. And the armchair experts sit and discuss why our young people are determined to chart another course for themselves, even if we call it criminal. Our labels no longer phase them.

    God did not place the rich man in his castle and the poor man at his gate. Unfortunately, someone has been able to persuade our poor that they belong as beggars at the gate or in Queen’s Park receiving handouts. Our people need to stop imbibing whatever Kool Aid is fed to them and think.

    Bus fares are about to be raised to a level that many unemployed and under employed persons will struggle to pay. The hue and cry went up to heaven. The solution was not one of compassion. Here came the solution: you can’t afford $3.50 per ride, so find $84 to buy tickets in bulk. The depths of the lack of care and respect for poor people are unplumbed.

    We have a tradition that many of us eat fish on what we call Good Friday. Flying fish is a part of our national dish. I recently saw a price list for fish and a ten pack of flying fish was listed at $28. Poor persons with large families use flying fish because every member of the family could have a fish and it worked out cheaper than pound fish.

    Flying fish used to be a cheap source of protein, but no more. Ten boned flying fish cannot take a family very far in terms of satisfying their nutritional or satiation requirements. The National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL) has been removed, but this was not a direct tax on consumers and supermarket prices have not changed. In fact, many items are more expensive now than they were before the removal of that levy. One difference is that now, thousands of Barbadians no longer have jobs and many who received salary increases take home less money. So what are poor people to do in this current environment of punishment? Poor people dead.

    If you bought a piece of land when things were better and you have since been sent home from your job or because of uncertainty you cannot afford to build anything on it, you will now be punished by higher taxes for having the temerity to try to acquire something more than a car. And if you cannot pay the increased taxes, it may not be long before the Government confiscates your land and sells it to those with ready cash. In recent years, this has been one avenue of land transfer from those poor people who struggled to own a piece of the rock to others who have been busy taking it at a discounted price.

    Poor people dead.

  38. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    The whole of barbados would slowly awaken to the fact that Mottley interest was one of selserving driven by an insatiable appetite to be Prime Minster
    Now having received that title she has nothing to offer the poor and vulnerable but found herself caught up in a lethal tide of appeasement while rewarding the rich in many hidden ways unknown to the unsuspecting eye
    The taxes will bear fruit for the haves will the have nots would be the burden carriers
    God help them all

  39. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    How did Guyson Mayers work the price of flying fish into the equation? Even moi who is a slouch at economics know that there is the principle of “supply and demand” and everyone knows that the price of fish increases when Easter is around the corner.

    Last time I saw them they were selling at 10 for $20.00 but Easter was still a few weeks away, and when I was out on a boat I saw some “flying” just above the surface of the water I should have brought along my net or a gutta perk.

  40. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    R. E. Guyson Mayers……….

    ……. a former DLP candidate who, under the previous administration was paid $300,000 for fifteen months work to prepare a nondescript report supported by technical tools costing $224,000……. which should have been undertaken by someone working in the Financial Intelligence Unit………

    ………. is NOW concerned about poor people……. the same poor people for whom he showed little or no concern during the tenure of his political party.

    And we’re now being asked to consider the “fake sympathy” being exhibited by this political goon and yard-fowl.

  41. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Was expecting your blp yardfowl response
    Nothing moves you as to what is happening presently to many barbadian households
    As to what happen under the past govt nothing of what was done can be compared to the harsh and bruttal economic punushment levelled on the barbadian household by this givt within 10 months
    Your attacks on past govt are beginning to ring hallow as more barbadians realised that the smoke and mirror policies of this govt have them shi..ting bricks
    As if to make matters worse and rub the bajan nose 👃 in more sh.it the mitigated gall of printing Tee shirts stating ” stay the Course”

  42. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    The BLP is in office therefore we just flip the script.

  43. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    David flip what script
    This is an IMF script that present govt has handed to the people using the people as collerateral to pay back barbados debt
    No body in their right mind and having a presence or a morsel of moral attitude can sit with closed mouth and endorse these harsh and literally unrealistic measures on a population of mostly elderly and underpaid income earners
    Nobody unless your mind ia virtually closed to what is right or wrong
    What most sticks out in Guyson comments is govt trying to make fools out of the most vulnerable asking them to stay the course of pain and suffering

  44. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Oh Mr. Transparency one

    The one who stood on a BU platform and called for Transparency
    Where are u now that govt has used the left hand of unilateralism to deceived the people
    How about telling us if the sh.ite in the worthing beach has stopped flowing from the South coast Sewer system and all is enviromentally sound in the wetlands
    Boy u tell me that i have no credibility to which i respond you are a bold faced HYPOCRITE

  45. David Avatar
    David

    This link gives an update in the matter. It is not perfect but moving in the right direction.

    https://caribbeannewsservice.com/now/barbados-provides-update-on-south-coast-sewage-project/

  46. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Yup! Poor people sure are dead! But when did the murders begin????/

  47. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Good question Donna maybe u should get get a hold of the Auditors general report as far back as 2003 and upwards and see how the money was dollied up between the haves and have nots

  48. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    Yes, the script has definitely been flipped.

    When people were questioning policies such as the increase in taxes, the implementation of additional taxes and retrenchment of public sector employees under the previous Freundel Stuart led inept DLP administration, this same shameless, deceitful DLP yard-fowl, using the monikers ac/Angela Skeete/Angela Cox/Coxable, continually came to this forum accusing people of being unpatriotic, putting their self-interest first and not that of the country and they should “wrap themselves in the flag.”

    Now old taxed are being increased, new taxes implemented and civil servants are to be retrenched under this current BLP administration…….. she is now presenting criticisms similar to those proffered by critics of the previous administration.

    Donna, I suggest you not only read the 2003 Auditor General Report, but read ALL the reports compiled thereafter…… 2004-2005 to 2016-2017.

    I suspect the 2017-2018 report will be VERY interesting.

  49. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Blp yard fowl but wunna promise better and now giving better and expect people to close mouth and say nutting
    U got to be betwiched or down right flooish
    The bell was rang the people spoke and the mandate to deliver is a bitter pill stamped Stay the course
    Yuh got to be mad as sh.it to endorse such madness

  50. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Hope its a good one.

    “THE HOTEL INDIGO brand is coming to Barbados, replacing the eyesore that was once the Caribbee Hotel on Hastings Main Road, Christ Church.”

    http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/239124/hotel

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