The Government is trying to position its blockbuster budget as being an economic stimulus. Except no-one can pin down exactly what part of the economy it’s stimulating except public sector flab and waste. Maybe we should call it the PLP’s “economic spenduluous”. The news has been rife with new layoffs this week … primarily affecting [...]
Entries from March 30th, 2010
Identity Politics
March 29th, 2010 · No Comments · Bermuda Politics
The PLP was founded upon a grievance: the inequity of power in Bermuda’s racial balance. Much of the party’s personality was derived from these activist roots. That’s a strength, but it’s also a challenge. The party has cultivated a “predestined to rule” myth that hampers its drive to become a balanced, accountable, and transparent government [...]
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Situational Outrage
March 26th, 2010 · No Comments · Bermuda Politics
Faced with calls to reprimand Senator Marc Bean for calling protestors “muppets” and “pimps”, Dr. Brown has refused, demonstrating that he sees the world in only black and white: “Situational outrage is as unacceptable as selective environmentalism.” That’s absurd. Every person has issues that are more important to them than others. It is their human [...]
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Quote
March 24th, 2010 · No Comments · Economy
Larry Burchall continues his biting analysis of the Bermuda Government’s incompetence and financial follies: In 1940, a great Englishman said: “Never… was so much owed by so many to so few.” In 2010, a great Bermudian might say: “Never… was so much owed by so many because of so few.” The full extent [...]
Tags:Budget
Taxing Consequences
March 23rd, 2010 · No Comments · Economy
While Bermuda rachets up its payroll taxes, there are repeated warnings from the international sector that this will lead to additional jobs being moved to more friendly jurisdictions. Witness this news from Nova Scotia, where yet another fund company run by ex-Bermuda hands is setting up shop: Castle Hall Alternatives, which helps investors identify and [...]
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Scaring The Nation
March 23rd, 2010 · 1 Comment · Bermuda Politics
Following the triple shooting on Friday night, the Police released some statistics: In 2009 17 people were shot, and there were 92 reported firearm incidents In 2010 to date, nine people have been shot, killing two, and there have been 38 reported firearm incidents This means that last year we had a gun incident about [...]
Tags:Public Safety
Slipping Away
March 22nd, 2010 · No Comments · Economy
At a conference last week the chairman of Bermuda insurer Flagstone said it would not surprise him if most Bermuda insurers moved their holding companies elsewhere over the next few years. At the same time, Brad Kading, president of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers, said there are several reasons why companies might be [...]
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The ULP
March 19th, 2010 · No Comments · Bermuda Politics
So, now that Wayne and Jamahl have crossed over, does it mean that Government is now the ULP? I assume that captures Mr. Furbert’s logic: it’s too hard to be the Opposition, and maybe he can be a more effective moderating voice from the inside of the PLP. He says: “You never change things by [...]
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Confidence, Waning
March 17th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Bermuda Politics
I don’t think anyone has any real confidence that Government will act to restrain its spending, or plan to work down the debt without strangling the community with taxes. The budget debate has eroded confidence even further. First, there are the long-winded and meandering briefs by Ministers and their proxies which preclude any debate on [...]
Tags:Budget
Alphabet Groups
March 17th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Economy
Politics comments on the email doing the rounds from Lt Col Burch which manages, true to form, to be both reasonable/conciliatory and off-putting at the same time. But at least he’s asking. Dear Bermudian Worker in International Business, I have heard from every alphabet group in this country who purport to represent you and your [...]
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