Vexed Bermoothes

Finance Minister Paula Cox admits that she must “rely on the residual goodwill” within the business community.

And that there sums it up:  they’ve been relying on the residual goodwill for so long that there’s not much goodwill left but residue.

She also scoffs at the business community’s squeals at being squeezed so hard to fund Government’s profligacy.  This seems to be the hallmark of this Government.  I had to laugh a few months ago when a Government survey found that few of Bermuda’s tourists were interested in gambling;  the Government spokesperson discounted the survey saying it obviously didn’t reach all the people who would like gambling.  Do they live in magic la-la land?

Minister Cox believes that “there is enough trust and goodwill that, despite the ire, common sense will prevail.”  That’s the point the business community is trying to make!!  In a recession, common sense says that the Government should be controlling its budgets not allowing the flab to spread (or the party train to continue), and certainly not raising taxes so hard.

Don’t be fooled:  these taxes will trickle down through our economy, raising Bermuda’s already scorching cost of living, and making 2010 a harder year for all of us.

Minister Cox also says:

“I would anticipate that next year in the National Budget we can have more of a rebalancing.”

Given Government’s skyrocketing debt and expenditures, it seems unlikely there will ever be a rebalancing.  Is she willing to commit to that?