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A Govt of mere talk - Mia
Former Prime Minister Owen Arthur (was at yesterday's annual conference with his family wife Julie (left), and daughters Leah (second left) and Sabrina.
Published on: 10/26/2009.
TOURS AND TALK!
That, accordingto Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) Leader Mia Mottley, has been the sum of what the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Government has been doing over the past 22 months.
In a stinging indictment on Government's performance, Mottley told those attending the party's 71st annual conference at the Barbados Community College's (BCC) gymnasium yesterday, that the DLP was going from "pillar to post" and had no clue what it was doing.
"Barbadians are spending less, businesses are not investing and are cutting their budgets for all but the necessities. People are losing their jobs, home construction is down, car sales are down.
"And it is not only because of the recession. People have become naturally cautious because they believe Government does not know whatit is doing," she said.
Mottley suggested the DLP had married the people's natural weariness of a Government asking for a fourth term witha collection of salacious half-truths and populous griping to convince Bajans it was capable of doing a better job thanthe BLP. She added its performance since January showed the shallowness of this approach.
Chastising Government on both its economic and social policy, she said the former rivalled the mystery of an Agatha Christie novel.
She added Government's method of dealing with the economic problems was to offer empty platitudes and worn-out clichés like "thinking outside the box" and "increasing the safety net", but had no concrete ideas or proposals.
Financial sector
She said that rather than doing some actual work, Government was fiddling with structures at agencies such as the Barbados Tourism Authority, Urban Development Commission and the Rural Development Commission.
She noted there was nothing positive happening in the financial servicessector nor agriculture.
The St Michael North- East MP charged that Barbados' social sector was falling apart.
Mottley declared that people could not even get passports from the Immigration Department since there was none in stock.
She said several posts in Government were not being filled, state departments were unable to pay for supplies, and tourism was floundering because of insufficient financial inputs.
She said while there was an upsurge in murders and robberies, there were 155 vacancies in the Royal Barbados Police Force and the Government was doing nothing about it.
She also warned Barbadians to look out for more cuts in the public service and increases in bus fares to between $2.50 and $3. (WG)
22 comment found!
Get It Right BLP HATERS : 10/27/2009
wait, what happen man/woman? you all at the nation did not like the facts being exposed to the public? well it look like I will have to rewrite what I wrote yesterday , since you all choes not to put up! kool. One this dumbmercratic Labour pary government mess up the local economy i.e, placed more stain on it, in the face of an clear global slow down . With all of this happening form early 2008, here are some of the bad things this dlp goverment did to mess up things here further. One they killed the subsides on FLOUR, ANIMAL FEED AND DESIL BEtweeen march 2008 and april 2008, Those three things activate a of chain reaction which resulted in elevate cost of production .job losses. Form bread, ,milk, chicken,mutton, and what little beef is produced , here, the result -increase cost of living and a massive slow in business activity in some economic sectors. Next the increase on Desil result again n the raise in the cost of prodcution for Barbadian local business in manfacturing, construction, fishing, transportation,and even argriculture again, Results higher retailed price and the increasE of the cost of living,and MORE job losses, Man this Dlp government on the ball at streesing us out The next unwise act, (since saying dumb upset the folks at the nation),was the free bus fee gimmmick. they also cancal the ABC expansion project which also help reduce economic activty in the constrction sector and by extention , the in linkage industies to construction , which lead reduced retailed activity and manufacting. . that in sum resulted M9ORE JOBS LOSSES It is costing this dlp government $11 million a year, but yet , 9 months later , we are recieving statements form the transport broad of cuts in travel route service time to a number of st micheal ditricts form one hour services to every two hours. WOW, that was just plain UN-wise, .In addition, we are being told by this dlp governmnet that they have have NO plans to either buy new buses to up grade the fleet, , or expand the services because of financial constraints! , can you beleive that? Now we are on a montly gasline and disel adjustment scheme that make cost allocation in the monthy buget of company here more problematic, we have more a way form a stable regulated regime to a fluating one, THIS CREATES problem in assessing variable cost analysis for business. .Now thats very unwise , ( I anit saying Dumb , because the nationS flokS there dose get up set and dont post my print. Now with tourists still coming to Barbados this government choses not to take a lesson out of te BLP 9/11 period , in which air litf support into Barbados was provided,but decided to leave our tourists arrival here to just plain old luck and chance.Then they, carry up LAND TAX, ROAD TAX ON ALL VEHICLES, INCREASED PROFEESIONAL RENEWAL FEE , INCRESAE SHOP LINCENCE FEE. AND WHOLE LOT OF NEW TAXES FEES INCREASES. Now have you all seen any of these factor beeing help in local econimicrecession? Answer==NO. now it add injury to more insult , the dlp turn this year and carry up water rates by 60%, with out any fair trading commisson reveiw FINAL THE DLP BLUNTLT REFUSED TO TAKE THE BLP SUGGEST ION FO AN ECONIMOC STIMULUS PACKAGE FOR MID TO LARE 2008 TO HELP reduce the impact of gradula slowing that was evident in the economy yeah just like that, now do you al see any internation global recession beening held responable forill effect of bad mis management of our local economy , yet it thes un wise acts by this dlp goverment that cause a lot of problem here These are some the thing this dlp government has done to help worsen our local economy. So get the facts and stop scape goating for the dlp
Mia then Mia now : 10/27/2009
Sorry BLP you had 15 years to clean up things. All we got from you was ,too much of the same, nothing. So you and your political Sycophant and raw recrute just get over it or get therapy and stop the rhetoric. Paaheny Tampa R Clarke .Tampa
MIA : 10/26/2009
Can someone,anyone please tell me what is this poster ( K K ) trying to say? this is months now and I can't understand nothing from him.What a waste of Space Thanks.
Mia Mottley : 10/26/2009
Mayby the government should ask Mia Mottley to join the Royal Barbados Police Force to reduce the number of vacancies for officers. On a different note the world is in a recession, I dont know what planet Ms Mottley and her party are living on. Times are hard all over. The government is doing a very good job at keeping Barbados afloat. Give yah mout a rest Ms Mottley.
Re: PRODICAL SON : 10/26/2009
I understand your statement. I too am hoping for a turn around. What I believe could be *just as* advantageous is to put in place more programmes to increase Barbados' capacity as a knowledge-based economy. As opposed to only being a services-based economy. That is where the real money is heading now. Government could put in place features that can get Barbadians to do more R&D (Research and Development) with big companies. More supports for Barbadians to start-up their own businesses. (So long as they have a firm, business plan.) Construction is nice too, but it only lasts so long. If more Barbadians were getting into Research and Development and patenting and trademarking their inventions we open up opportunities for the society... Things like earning income around the world from royalties, and the like. Plus having enough jobs for all Barbadians is still tough, I think Barbados needs to grow more of its own native institutions to further soak up some of that unemployment.
Opposition Politics!! : 10/26/2009
A great example of opposition politics! If I were teaching Political Science my students would be given this speech to study as a clear example of narrow opposition politics. I would only hope that one day Barbadians would mature to the point where "bi-partisanship" becomes a part of the political lexicon. This comment goes for the DLP also. It is amazing how in the USA, granted the political construct is some what different, Democrats and Republicans can get together and fashion some of the greatest social policies in this hemisphere. The New Deal was not achieved by one party alone. Similarly Health Care Reform currently under debate will not become a reality with only democratic support alone. Politicians in Barbados need to grow up and put the country first! The old idea of winner take all need to be revisited and the question needs to be asked if it is good for the country. I am sure there are plenty of good things the Thompson administration has done since assuming office, but it would not serve Mia's narrow ends to address them. Once again opposition politics. The sad thing about all this is that Barbadians who boast about being so politically educated drink it up hook line and sinker. Most Barbadians are "political yard fowls". They exist either in the yard of the DLP or BLP and never come out. They have been socialized in most cases in the home to stay in a particular yard. It is a sad state of affairs. It would be nice if politicians could extend bi-partisanship outside of their exclusive clubs, like the Bar Association and the Medical Association and consider the public good. It is time the people wake up and become a more aware electorate. Bajan in NJ.
Opposition Politics!! : 10/26/2009
A great example of opposition politics! If I were teaching Political Science my students would be given this speech to study as a clear example of narrow opposition politics. I would only hope that one day Barbadians would mature to the point where "bi-partisanship" becomes a part of the political lexicon. This comment goes for the DLP also. It is amazing how in the USA, granted the political construct is some what different, Democrats and Republicans can get together and fashion some of the greatest social policies in this hemisphere. The New Deal was not achieved by one party alone. Similarly Health Care Reform currently under debate will not become a reality with only democratic support alone. Politicians in Barbados need to grow up and put the country first! The old idea of winner take all need to be revisited and the question needs to be asked if it is good for the country. I am sure there are plenty of good things the Thompson administration has done since assuming office, but it would not serve Mia's narrow ends to address them. Once again opposition politics. The sad thing about all this is that Barbadians who boast about being so politically educated drink it up hook line and sinker. Most Barbadians are "political yard fowls". They exist either in the yard of the DLP or BLP and never come out. They have been socialized in most cases in the home to stay in a particular yard. It is a sad state of affairs. It would be nice if politicians could extend bi-partisanship outside of their exclusive clubs, like the Bar Association and the Medical Association and consider the public good. It is time the people wake up and become a more aware electorate.
BAJAN TORONTONIAN : 10/26/2009
Bajan Torontonian what point are you tryng o make? Maybe I am so DUMB I missed your point. I don't think that a MYOPe would undertand what the Government of Barbados is doing to pull the Island out f this GLOBAL RECESSION.
Pretender : 10/26/2009
Hey Mia, while you are quick about stating obvious consequences of this global economic crisis, how about this one: Mia Mottley opened her mouth again and once again she showed Barbados that she is not ready to become the Prime Minister of Barbados or even remain the Leader of the BLP.
MIA You Have Some Cleaning To Do. : 10/26/2009
Mia, can you address the Auditor General's reports as they pertain to contracts awarded prior to the last General elections? And while you are at it, give us a little insight about the amount of business that you are involved with. Concerned Barbadian.
: 10/26/2009
Mia Mia, here we go again, a lot of talk and saying nothing. Get your act together Mia Mottley, do you need a speech writer? Do your homework before you open your mouth. You are becoming an annoying source. Who are you competing with? 246
mere talk - Mia... : 10/26/2009
Where in the world have you been hiding? Time to show Leadership and leave the fear mongering behind. This is not what we are looking for in our leaders. he World markets are now clawing themselves out of this recession.which you at times seem to ignore as a contributing factor.
Are we all YOGI? : 10/26/2009
Are we all yogis? Are we all lacking the fundemental understanding of putting relative programs and action to stem the tide of the recession? The point that Mia is making is certainly not that Barbados isn't feeling the rumbles of a recession. She is asking the question hwta this lost govermnment is doing about. That is the question YOGI and the answer is nothing at all. Why don't you people see what is going on in BIM. The Governemnt is bankrupt of ideas when we need them most.
To J. PAYNE : 10/26/2009
J Payne, I respect your opnion on how the DLP is handling the eeconomy. The Government is putting money into the Sandiford Centre and the Empire to stimulate Construction. Money is being pump into Big businesses because they employ a lot of people. Let us as a people pray that the world comes out this recession soon.
mere talk : 10/26/2009
give me a break what is happening there is happening all over the world.so who are you trying to fool.what she is sating is mere talk.
MIA MOTTLEY : 10/26/2009
Empty and lacking any kind of substance.By all indication, Mottley's speech was childish at best.
A lot of buildings and things getting named/renamed to.. : 10/26/2009
But I give the DLP credit for reigning in the B's out of control immigration policieshn action and. I give the DLP (currently) low marks for the furtherence of empowerment programmes for the most vulnerable in thesociety. Just like the B's, the D's appear to me to be handing out lots of assistance for big intrests and only tiny amounts for the average man and woman in the street. This should be better balanced. The D's priorities of doing-up the backside of the Sandiford Centre and the Empire theatre right now at this time baffles me. I'd rather see the gov't try to pay off the long term debt of Barbados so that taxation can be lowered in the future. I give an 'okay' rating on new housing if they get their promises completed.
A Gov't of mere Talk : 10/26/2009
Hmmm...this seems rather interesting, at a time when the Barbadian economy is squinching under the Global melt down which is gradually turning into molded rock. More things need to be done to protect the Barbadian People...we need a government who would protect us from the harshness of the Global economy. Cut the Politician's Salaries, Release some of the multiple advisors who have jobs all over the place. Stream line the public service decreasing wastage of paper, ink, and other things...It's time for the Economy to go green, not only with Money..but Environmentally friendly
THERE GOES MISS MOTTLEY AGAIN : 10/26/2009
There goes the learned Miss Mottley with her rubbish again. Thank God that Bajans are not stupid people and understand the nature of the problems that are facing our Island. Every Nation in the world is fighting to survive this GLOBAL RECESSION. Every state in the USA is fighting for survival. The state of Californa is Bankrupt. Just last week there was massive Nation wide demostration In Puerto RICO. For the first time in 40 years the biggest shopping Mall in Puerto Rico was closed. The Government of Puerto Rico will be force to layoff 17000 workers.I can go on to highlight countries is crisis around the world because of the Global Recession. I will Continue to say that Politicians needto stop insulting the intelligence of the people they represent.When they do it , they are doing themselves a disservice. MIss Mottley knows quiet well that under the pressent GLOBAL conditions that Barbados as a country is still doing very well. I would truely like to know what the BLP could have done if there was the Government of the day. For Miss Mottley to say tha that Government of the day don't know what they are doing is an insult to all the people of Barbados. To say that is an insult to all those Brilliant Bajans who make up the Administration, Senoir Civil Servant and consultants. I will continue to say whether it be the DLP or BLP who is the Government we have very competant peolpe to run the affairs of this country. I will conclude by saying that the BLP ran this country for 14 years. They left it in a mess, not because they were not competant, but because they did not care, and were only concerned about they friends and a few lackeys. Miss Mottley what about the ST. Joseph Hospital, the ST.John Polyclinic? I can go on and on, about the things the BLP refused to do in the interest of all Barbadians. MIA shame on you, but I still love you, and I understand you are just being a POLITICIAN. Remember that most bajans are very smart people, we are a thinking people and we have very good memories.
Talk : 10/26/2009
Mia I know you have to talk your talk. But remember this there is a recession. Here in the USA people are loosing there jobs and houses I think Barbados is doing very good.There is not much The BLP or DLP could do. It is going to be like this untill the USA get back to work and start spending again.Bajan48 Arkansas
Alternatives : 10/26/2009
Being critical is meaningful in that it may point out the failings of others. However, being critical is more meaningful when practical alternatives are offered that actually solve the problem.
hot air : 10/26/2009
thats MIA and the BLP can you comment on the auditor report . the QEH over runs fly unders and contracts to family members to name a few put your case to BARBADOS people are being lead off all over the world even i know that
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