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Appropriation Bill 2021 – A Time to Discuss Money Matters of State

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The Appropriation Bill 2021 will be debated in the House of Assembly starting Monday 15, 2021 at 10AM. It is one year since Covid 19 occupied the attention of countries on planet earth with the impact on Small Island Developing States (SIDs) obviously the most affected. There is no doubt the debilitating impact on the economic and social well being of earth dwellers has not been fully felt. The blogmaster has not forgotten that before the pandemic showed its head the economy of Barbados was precariously perched.

Read the Appropriation Bill 2021 designed to “provide for the grant of a sum of money [$1, 682,795,117] out of the Consolidated Fund and to appropriate the same for the service of Barbados for the Year ending 31st March, 2022.“

Appropriation Bill 2021Download

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117 responses to “Appropriation Bill 2021 – A Time to Discuss Money Matters of State”

  1. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    DavidMarch 11, 2021 7:07 AM

    What is the DLP doing with its bevy of lawyers who are members?

    Senator Caswell is putting you lot to shame.

    Note the blogmaster posted this item to Caswell’s blog where it logically and sensibly belongs

    What Caswell and a local citizens is doing is standing up govt that is taking for granted that the laws and Constitution can be stomped ON
    OSA warned the country

  2. David Avatar
    David

    What is the DLP doing with its army of lawyers in the ranks?

  3. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    angela cox March 11, 2021 10:36 AM #: “What Caswell and a local citizens is doing is standing up govt that is taking for granted that the laws and Constitution can be stomped ON.”

    That is true. And, I agree with you. We should be grateful to those individuals who decide to take a stand when they believe the constitutional rights of citizens are being infringed.

    However, David asked you a relevant question.

    Other than criticizing, what is the DLP doing (or has done) with an army of lawyers in its ranks, especially president Verla?

  4. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/03/11/preconco-suspends-workers-for-attending-meeting-with-labour-minister-union/

  5. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    We now have a professor of tourism economics at UWI. Will he be writing a paper on the impact of CoVid on tourism available to the public?

  6. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    Why you don’t go look for the “hidden” appropriation bill?🤣🤣🤣

  7. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    “What is the DLP doing with its bevy of lawyers who are members?
    What is the DLP doing with its army of lawyers in the ranks?” [quotes]

    I might pose in a similar rhetorical manner, “What are the GoB lawyers doing re the ICBL affair”?
    While the actionable answer is nothing, they are all vested members of the Club. It is against Club rules to bring any such action, though speaking out is permitted once an election has been called. The Senator, given his refusal to enter the electable fray, is not a full member. He has visitor privilege. It is understood any form of negative or challenging objection is good for the Club, it gives non-members the distinct impression there are opposing forces within the Club.

  8. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    @Hants
    did you notice that Huff Post Canada closed its doors (it is owned by Buzz feed) approx 2 weeks after a union had been voted for.

  9. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Artax

    Other than criticizing, what is the DLP doing (or has done) with an army of lawyers in its ranks, especially president Verla

    What is your interest in knowing outside of being a parrot
    Those questions should be address to Verla
    Not to me
    Stupse

  10. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Just maybe something in the bill would be tables to help them and the small business people

    https://www.facebook.com/246784233190/posts/10158393012983191/?sfnsn=mo

  11. John2 Avatar
    John2

    Mari

    One thing about this government there have to pay their bills

    A little late ain’t nothing new to government in bim

    Dlp left a lot of tax return that wasn’t and probably still isn’t paid

    They hire the private sanitation haulers and couldn’t pay them etc

  12. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    @ John2 March 11, 2021 2:20 PM
    “Dlp left a lot of tax return that wasn’t and probably still isn’t paid..”
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    The former DLP administration was comprised of some of the biggest liars (thieves) ever walked on the face of the Bajan earth.

    How come you have forgotten that the former DLP MoF had promised to deliver 24,000 in the tax refund cheques through the mail within 2 weeks by saying: “as I speak, there is an army of BRA employees stuffing around the clock 24,000 tax refund envelopes”.

    It seems, therefore, the anxious taxpayers had to wait over two years for the mail delivery people to arrive at their residences while those opting for direct deposits to their accounts at the various financial institutions are still searching cyberspace for the missing ‘bits and bytes’ denominated in Bajan Mickey mouse currency.

    BTW, why doesn’t your girl MAM make use of the US$ 270 million proceeds of a loan still sitting in a Japanese bank account earmarked for the resuscitation of the dying sugar industry?

    Or has the Big Stinking Liar of the same deceitful lying party (now the turncoat de facto chief financial adviser to the red administration) convinced your leader to pay off- as a form of ‘debt swapping’- the Credit Suisse loans borrowed to keep Bajans living ‘sugary sweet?

    A bit of advice to you, junior “Johnny 2”, while you are sucking up to a party’s behind never put your blind faith in any politician; for he or she would use, abuse and then treat you like ‘refuse’.

    The Bajan duopoly BDLP is a club of mutual political masturbation which you will never be invited to join but can only enter as the dust man wearing red overalls.

  13. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    I find your depiction of the BDLP as a Club highly offensive, but potentially correct. Sort of like I said so but I didn’t say so.

  14. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    angela cox March 11, 2021 1:59 PM #: “What is your interest in knowing outside of being a parrot. Those questions should be address to Verla. Not to me.”

    Okay, ‘fair enough.’ I’ll ask Verla. But, remember, you’re predictable.

    However, there is none on BU who knows the attributes of a parrot other than you. Because you often use certain words, terms and phrases from certain people’s contributions as the basis to ‘construct’ your own.

  15. John2 Avatar
    John2

    Miller

    How can u tell me I forgot something when today is the first time I am hearing about it?

    And if. Had heard it before how do you know I have forgotten because I didn’t mention it ?

    I said what I wanted and enuff to get my message across

    You sir is jumping to foolish assumptions

    You were on bu. Long enuff to know that I suck on nor depend on any politricjian or party nipples to suck on

    Your submission is just making a bigger Johnny of urself than you are trying to make me out to be

  16. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    DonnaMarch 10, 2021 11:30 AM Is that all Christians think about?

    It seems to be at top of his mind anyway. Very strange. As with John The Braptist, the misogyny is strong with him. Notice the disparaging words that he constantly uses for women, especially highly accomplished women. He clearly has issues.

  17. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    TronMarch 10, 2021 12:28 PM
    Of course, the economic and financial situation is catastrophic. No one disputes that. Also, our budget hole will be as deep as the Mariana Trench.

    That is my worry. I have not bothered to comment earlier, because what is outlined in the estimates above is the only thing to be done really.

    Catastrophic is indeed the word. The next year will be very tough. Depending on how global leaders and financial institutions respond to the plight of less affluent countries, could very well tip the geopolitical balance as it pertains to East and West comparative strengths.

    Make no mistake, the Cold War has not been put in abeyance until the crisis passes. We are at a critical point in international relations.

  18. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    @Crusoe

    We should be particularly concerned about the supply of vaccines. The tourism industry will die off if we don’t have trouble-free travel next winter WITHOUT quarantine and testing BEFORE entrance. This scenario will happen if we don’t have enough vaccine for tourists (their states overseas) and locals (here on the island).

    Many hotels will close permanently if the next winter season ends as disastrously as the current one. Then it will look like the Four Seasons all over the West Coast.

    I know that many nationalist ideologues on BU and elsewhre are calling for the demise of the tourism industry. Here is my warning:In the event of a second total failure, our GDP will fall permanently to mid-African levels, the population will become impoverished and crime will rise sharply. Our island is totally overpopulated. It only takes a small spark to blow up the powder keg.

  19. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    If the next winter season also fails disastrously (due to the local Taliban or careless tourists), I strongly recommend our government to finally implement my STARVE programme aka Chicago Boys 2.0: i.e. currency devaluation, mass layoffs in the civil service, suspension of elections until 2030 and arrest of critical opposition members in politics, administration and judiciary.

    If the next winter season fails, only a Barbadian Augusto Pinochet can save us by initiating radical-liberal economic reforms, banning trade unions and lowering wages. Dear Supreme Leader, would you step into this role?

    Those who always talk about strengthening the local manufacturing and agricultural sector should know that the cost of production in our country is far too high. Currency devaluation is the only and ethically correct solution.

  20. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Miller,

    There is a push to bring annual reporting up to date. It cannot be accomplished overnight. The bad practices and the leniency by Government can no longer be.

    This is recognised by all. So…. no failed state on the horizon. We will not allow it.

  21. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Parliament frauds need to take note that NO ONE’S ABOVE THE LAW…as they like to project to fool Bajans.

    “John Deane, the former White House counsel to former President Nixon, on Thursday, predicted that former President Trump would soon be indicted after reports that his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen has met with the Manhattan district attorney’s office for a number of interviews.

    “From personal experience, as a key witness, I assure you that you do not visit a prosecutor’s office 7 times if they are not planning to indict those about whom you have knowledge. It is only a matter of how many days until DA Vance indicts Donald & Co,” Dean wrote on Twitter.

    On Wednesday, it was reported that Cohen had met with the Manhattan DA’s office for a seventh time as part of a criminal investigation into Trump’s finances. Cohen is expected to participate in an eighth meeting in the near future.”

  22. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    https://www.nationnews.com/2021/03/12/caribbean-get-e17-million-aid-european-commission/

    i expect to hear that this 17 million BENEFITS THE BLACK POPULATION…..also not expecting to hear about any REPARATIONS….with yall St. Lucy Project benefiting as opposed to the descendants of the enslaved….cause all the BLACK FACES who ever crawled into that parliament…OWE the Black population REPARATIONS TOO….for SELLING OUT…and TIEFING, robbing the Black population BLIND.

  23. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    @ Donna March 12, 2021 5:48 AM
    “Miller,
    There is a push to bring annual reporting up to date. It cannot be accomplished overnight. The bad practices and the leniency by Government can no longer be.

    This is recognised by all. So…. no failed state on the horizon. We will not allow it.”
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    That same promise was made to comfort the voting public of fools since the 2008 general elections and included in both major political parties manifestoes on every electoral outing since then.

    Even gurus were politically appointed to sit in the many chairs to oversee the accomplishment of that elusive project.

    We shall sing from your hymn sheet of vainglorious hope when we some action arsing from what is still stored in that multi-million dollar red bag of self-incriminating evidence.

    Donville only got his ‘too crooked’ wings broken when he, like Icarus, flew to close to the Sun of Justice.

  24. David Avatar
    David

    $782M. HOLE
    Govt facing big budget deficit in next financial year
    Government’s spending will increase next financial year, but with revenue also projected to decline substantially, it will be left with a $782 million deficit.
    The big budget gap predicted for between next month and March 31, 2022, is due mainly to a $484.5 million fall in revenue estimated to take place as the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic linger.
    The main portion of the revenue decline is expected to be a decrease of approximately $400 million in tax revenue.
    These projections are in the 2021-2022 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, laid in the House of Assembly on Tuesday.
    Based on the summary of Government’s operations and financing for the next financial year starting April 1, the Mia Amor Mottley administration’s spending will be $3.3 billion, while revenue is estimated to be $2.5 billion.
    Compared with last year’s Estimates, Government is budgeting $105.7 million more for several areas it spends on routinely under the current expenditure category.
    This includes additions to personal emoluments (wages and benefits), goods and services, transfers to institutions and individuals, retiring benefits and allowances and employers’ contributions.
    Debt servicing
    The authorities are also forecast to spend more servicing debt, including interest payments.
    Government received about $1 billion in foreign money – mainly from international financial institutions – this current financial year as COVID-19 caused tourism to collapse and pushed the economy deep into recession.
    In light of a large funding deficit, the Estimates document outlined that the budget would again be depending on this category of financing for the next 12 months.
    Projected foreign financing
    next financial year is $447.6 million. Included in this is about $197.6 million in project funding scheduled to come from the Inter-American Development Bank ($150.3 million), Caribbean Development Bank ($3.62 million), China ($20 million), and Latin America Development Bank ($23.7 million).
    Non-project financing of $250 million was also listed, but there were no details on the source. Additionally, Government has budgeted for domestic financing of $334.4 million, including $292.5 million categorised as “other” and $41.8 million from debentures.
    Based on the Estimates, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) will be getting a grant of $120 million, up from this financial year’s $116 million. The QEH is also getting additional funds, including $26 million “for the coordination and management of the activities relating to the COVID-19 pandemic”.
    The University of the West (UWI) has been allocated $95.2 million, down from 2020-2021’s $114.7 million “to provide payment of economic cost for Barbadian students at UWI, including Government’s contribution towards the Seismic Research Centre, Council of Legal Education, and LLM programme in legal drafting.
    The Welfare Department, which has faced increased demands for its services during the pandemic, has a budget of $40.1 million, an increase over the $30.1 million in the previous Estimates. (SC)

    Source: Nation

  25. David Avatar
    David

    2021 (Draft) Barbados Estimates

    https://barbadosunderground.files.wordpress.com/2021/03/draft-2021-estimates.pdf

  26. David Avatar
    David

    Estimates outline projections

    Fri, 03/12/2021 – 7:00am
    Govt seeking over $700 M in financing from foreign, domestic sources

    THE Barbados Government will be looking to tap both foreign and domestic sources for well over $700 million in financing during the next financial year starting April 1, 2021.

    These projections are contained in the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2021/2022 introduced earlier this week in Parliament. At the same time the Estimates are projecting Current revenue at $2.89 billion, total expenditure of $3.39 billion and a gap of $500.4 million to be filled during the coming year.

    The Estimates outline revenue raising measures and the spending the Government intends undertaking over the next 12 months.

    According to the information, foreign financing is expected to be in the region of $447.6 million and domestic component $334.3 million. The Government prepared document revealed that the Inter-American Development Bank will be approached to underwrite approximately $150.3 million of the foreign financing, following by the Peoples Republic of China and the Latin American Development Bank.

    An amount of $250 million in non project funding is included in the projections for the coming year.

    As for domestic financials, an amount of $41.8 million is earmarked to come through Debentures and a further $292 million from other sources which were not named.

    In addressing the allocations for the next financial year, current revenue is forecast at $2.89 billion. However, Government said that on the cash basis it is projected that current revenue will be $2.55 billion, some 6.2 per cent above the revised estimates of $2.41 billion amount for the current financial year which ends on March 31.

    As regards to total expenditure the amount given for next financial year is $3.39 billion, an increase of 0.6 per cent.

    In addition, $1.48 billion is being projected for operating expenses, along with statutory expenses of $900 million, the $818 million will go towards debt service and $193 million in respect of capital expenditure.

    Addressing the issue of Government operations and financing, it was revealed in the Estimates that on the accrual basis, the net operating balance is $85. 6 million or 0.9 per cent of GDP. The overall fiscal deficit on the Accountant general basis with financing, is projected at $282.0 million of 8.1 per cent of nominal GDP and market prices estimated at $9 604.4 million.

    When converted to International Financial Institutions basis the fiscal deficit is projected $383.3 million or four per cent of GDP.

    The Estimates also highlight the shortfall in revenue up to January this year as well as the higher spending undertaken in light of COVID 19, along with the level of deficit the country is likely to incur next financial year.

    It has been revealed that current revenue collected to January this year was down 13.5 per cent from the amount collected in the corresponding period to January 2020. However, current expenditure at January 2021 was up 13.1 per cent when compared to January 2020.

    Capital expenditure also at January 2021 was up 24 per cent over the same month in 2020.


    Source: Barbados Advocate

  27. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ Miller @ Donna
    “ We” who will not allow what to happen. We have not had a proper accountability in the Auditor General’s report for nearly fifty years or perhaps no less than forty .. We keep pretending but to this day we don’t even know the salaries of the multitude of consultants, that now are being hired on , it seems like a daily basis.
    Until we apply critical analysis to our problems the political class will continue to rub salt in our wounds.The simple truth is that several state enterprises have been functioning at alarming poor levels for donkey years. I speak specifically to : public transportation; housing; maintenance ofpublic property among others.
    We talk a lot about Donville and the paltry sum he embarrassed himself for but what about the millions upon millions stolen from ordinary citizens by dishonest attorneys? What about insurance companies refusing to honor the payments to the man in the street.
    Can we sleep well at night knowing that people who look like us are earning $250 per week or less.?
    We look at other countries, but are the the majority Blacks here on the island not being called niggers and being disrespected by white employers every day of the week. We are the only majority in the world fighting for the same rights as minorities every where else. We are discriminated by banks; even the recent vaccine exercise had blatant acts of racism where the minority whites were given privileges.
    We need to call it for what it is. I don’t agree that my country is a failed state but there is no doubt that unless we find another way, these unquestionable failures and maladies will continue . And those who will pay the highest price will be the majority Blacks.
    And that is what we need to accept and act on . Other wise we is just wee wee.

  28. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ David
    Anybody who still believes that we can continue to extend free university education to all is living on a different planet.
    Only those who cannot afford to pay should be given free university education. I don’t buy into this nonsense that once poor always poor. The same people who scorn our primary schools and pay thousands per term at the private ones expect to get a free ride when they spent millions to avoid contact with those they think are below their social and economic level.
    I say tie it to household incomes. We who have been fortunate to rise from poverty must now learn to pay our way,do that the poor from whence we came,, can have a good shot.

  29. David Avatar
    David

    @William

    Urgent reform is required not just because of affordability consideration but manpower planning in the context of national strategic requirements. Minister Bradshaw has been lazy on the rollout out of strategic policies.

  30. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @ William

    What are the metrics for defining a state as having failed?

  31. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ David
    Minister Bradshaw cannnot rollout what she does not have !
    Do you remember how we used to convert a board house into a wall one. That’s the only way to remove the eleven plus. It will take a minimum of three years and could be a maximum of five.
    You cannot “ rollout” an educational system.
    She’s out of her depth right now. And believe me ,Mottley was no stellar Minister of Education, Bradshaw has no examples to follow.. she better talk with Billie Miller.
    We are not buying buses or garbage trucks . These are our children and the country’s future we are dealing with. What on earth is a Director of Reform.
    We need a Director of Education..

  32. David Avatar
    David

    Agree about the HR move to recruit a Director who will have to work alongside the PS. It appears to be a move borrowed from OSA’s toolbox as a way of circumventing public service rules.

  33. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    March 13, 2021 7:06 AM

    “@ William

    What are the metrics for defining a state as having failed?”
    @ Hal
    You have asked me this question in different ways at least three times. I will not agree on your position. Because there are certain state agencies that are performing badly or underperforming, it does not mean that the state has failed. There is no anarchy or breakdown in law and order; the courts are still functioning and there are still free and fair elections.
    You have failed to show how or why the country is a failed state. Your definition that there are critical areas not being well managed , falls short and will continue to fall short.
    We still have a functioning government and therefore the basic definition of a failed state is not relevant to our country. No one can create “ metrics” or invent them. It’s really political science 101.

  34. David Avatar
    David

    @William

    Allow an illiterate blogmaster to assist.

    Where is Barbados on the global HDI?

    Where is Barbados on the corruption index (Transparency International)?

    As bad as the education system is in need of overhaul how many Barbadians emigrate and seamlessly integrate in foreign developed countries?

    How many Barbadians in the last 30 or 40 years (to use a current measure) have raised families from cradle to grave?

    It all boils down to perspective, is the glass half full or half empty.

    …the list is not exhaustive.

  35. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Miller,

    I happen to KNOW that they are being worked on in some cases for sure and that pressure was applied by both BLP and DLP governments for years from as far back as Owen Arthur. And ministers are forever demanding some report or the other urgently.

    Unfortunately the accounts are so far behind that it would take ages to get them current without additional staff dedicated to the matter. What normally happens is that current staff is asked to address the backlog along with their current work. That makes the going slow. And really you cannot hold current workers accountable for work that should have been done before by somebody else who got paid for it.

  36. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    So really, Miller, it is not the minister who does not want the financials or other reports. It is a case of slackness from years ago.

  37. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ David
    I know that @ Hal’s position on a failed state cannot survive serious scrutiny or debate. It simply cannot reach the basic definition.

  38. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    William,

    What really is so hard about reforming our educational system??

    The hardest part is deprogramming older Barbadians from the Harrison College /Queen’s College, my child is “smarter” than your child syndrome.

    That can be accomplished by communication a vision where every child’s talent is recognised and valued.

    I would use a forum of young people to tell the story of how they feel about what currently is and what could and should be.

    Let the young people persuade their parents!

  39. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Correction- communicating a vision

  40. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Well, well! Now I see that William and I agree on even more.

    Free university education should be for the poor only.

    Middle class people should stop building monstrous houses, driving three SUV, having 60 inch smart tvs in every bedroom and the entertainment room and limit their oversea travel rather than travel every year. Then they could pay a greater part of their child’s university education.

    Yes, it should be based on household income.

  41. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @ William

    I will repeat myself. There are certain key institutions of the state, which must function democratically and competently for the state to be efficient and equitable.
    You claim the courts work. With some civil cases remaining on the books for over 20 years, is this your idea of a competent civil court?
    With the criminal court, only recently we have had a man who was remanded for ten years before being acquitted, is this what you expect in a democrat and fair society? When he tried to get compensation the government challenged it.
    The unfair, even brutal sentencing in the magistrates courts are a regular feature on BU. Are you happy with the way the magistrates courts work?
    Look at the CoVid offenders’ sentencing, in particular, between black and white offenders. Are you happy with this?
    Are you happy with the outcome, or stalling, of the Officer Gittens case, in the killing of his neighbour and for which he was rewarded by the DLP government with bail? Or the dismissal of the charges against Charles Herbert by the DPP?
    Let us look at the administrative system, the civil service. Is the civil service functioning competently? I will give one simple example. I wrote a letter to the Barbados Revenue Authority about three months ago and am yet to get even an acknowledgement. Is this acceptable?
    Let us look at education. You yourself have condemned this, explicitly and implicitly, through your criticisms of the 11+. Despite this, are you happy with the progress, or otherwise, of our educational system?
    Are you happy with the way the white and black middle classes game the system to get their offspring in to the top schools and get island scholarships? Look at the continuing discussions over funding the UWI?
    Are you happy with the way parliament functions, especially since May 2018? Are you suggesting that @Caswell is wrong to bring a case against the state for abuse of process over CoVid?
    Is the government a functioning democratic government? Does it satisfy your bars for a democratic government.n was the last time the minister of finance explained to the people of Barbados how the economy is functioning? Who elected Prof Persaud and Dr Greenidge?
    @William, let us look at health, housing, jobs, the NIS, squatters, the reluctance to collect VAT, income tax, national insurance? Are these all working well in your competent state universe?
    I am sure I get things wrong, but @William, plse forget your patriotism and give me one example of a properly functioning institution of the state.
    Do we have a single institution that is world class?

  42. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    What privileges were the minority whites given with respect to vaccines?My whole damn family was vaccinated without any trouble whatsoever. Some did not even have an appointment.

  43. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    Mr Williams here.. not William

    8:26 a.m. is an excellent summary of some of the ills we are facing.
    Good questions, good discussion points.

  44. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    Or a whine list?

  45. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    William,

    A few weeks ago my electricity started its once every few years act up. First it fails once a month. Then it fails once a week. Then it fails twice a week. Then it fails once a day. Then it fails twice a day. Then it fails three times a day. At one point in time fifteen years ago it was failing five times a day. I could not believe that a company could expect anybody to accept that kind of service.

    But they did.

    It took me several phone calls the first time to get it fixed. Several phone calls the next time and finally one to the fair trading commission.

    This time I called once and was told they would call me back. They did not. The next few days off it went again. I called and ripped into the customer service rep and told them what my plans were.

    It has been weeks since the last blackout. Every time it is I who makes them listen. Everywhere I go it is the same. Every service, it is I who make the complaint and follow through. Even the damn banks., Flow, the police, the school, the Transport Board, the SSA, the BWA, the QEH, the doctor, the lawyer, the boss etc.etc.etc.

    I pursue it like I did the dog with his daily crap.

    I confront issues head-on because it is frustrating to watch simple matters remain unfixed.

    Bajans call that being miserable and quarrelsome. The solution is “to get a man”. You do not know how many times I have encountered that attitude.

    Bajans are the do nothing but grumble type. After grumbling they shrug.

    Nothing is changed by grumbling and shrugging.

    If you can light a fire under the masses backsides and get them up and marching then things will change. That is how they change elsewhere.

    Until then….

    P.S. The final solution for me is to cover my roof with solar panels. The rest of people in my neighbourhood will then fend for themselves.

  46. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ Donna
    I have maintained the Continuous Assessment model should be introduced. However there are other suggestions.,Reforming an educational system is a huge undertaking and in our case, at least forty years over due. All we can do at this stage , is wait and see what are the government’s plans.
    On the other point, as consumers , we simply allow nonsense to flourish . No government has ever taken consumer rights seriously and the few consumer bodies that came about were nothing more than personality cults.
    The simple truth is that we have become more of an individualistic society over the last thirty years.
    We have a long way to go.

  47. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ Hal

    Whether I am happy or unhappy with what’s going on does not determine a failed state.
    The major question is whether the government is functioning. And by all accounts the government is functioning. Maybe, not all to my liking but we do have a functioning government and that is the acid test.

  48. GP Avatar
    GP

    THE US GUVMENT FUNCTIONING TOO!
    WE GET OUR STIMULUS CHEQUE ALREADY! LOL

  49. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @William

    Plse tell me which institutions, departments or offices of government are functioning competently and democratically.
    Presumably, if they are, you will be happy. By whose account is government functioning?
    You are not substantiating your claims to a functioning government.
    What is your acid test, that something called government is functioning? Legislative, executive or judicial, which one is functioning competently and democratically in your opinion?
    Or, let us look at the key offices of state Governor General, Prime minister, chief justice, attorney general, commissioner of police, head of the BDF – plse tell us which officer of state performs without criticism. I will help, the governor general does what is required of her.
    We spend all day on BU bashing government have we got it wrong? Even those who throw stones from the side occasionally admit that government got (and continues to get) things wrong.
    Plse share your insight with us. Start with education. Have they got that right? Do the various auditors general, over the years, smear competent and democratic government and statutory bodies in their annual reports?
    Are we smearing the NIS hen we accuse it, under both governments, of being incompetent? Surely there must be at least one key institution of state in Barbados that we can boast about?

  50. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    THE US GUVMENT FUNCTIONING TOO!
    WE GET OUR STIMULUS CHEQUE ALREADY! LOL
    +++++++++++
    As a die- hard supporter of the Party that opposed the stimulus cheques and a vocal opponent of Joe, I know you sent your cheque back 😊

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