The latest PLP blog entry plays off Fitch Ratings affirmation of Bermuda's AA+ sovereign debt rating against Bob Richard's and Pat Gordon-Pamplin's press conference highlighting the increasing pressures in Bermuda's economy.
Allow me to make several points. First of all, I don't know who writes the PLP blog, but they seem to have the maturity of a 3 year old. As much as I wish the UBP could produce a regular blog advertising their views and initiatives, I would rather go without than to have one as immature and ad-hominem as the PLP's. It is true that blogs allow for remarkably free expression, but the official blog of the governing party ought to meet a higher standard. And, I would definitely wish for more creative writing... and a little less repetition.
My second point is that Bermuda having a good debt rating is far, far from saying the economic times are good for all Bermudians. In fact, the debt rating means that Fitch knows the current government of Bermuda has a lot of room to raise taxes and pay off Bermuda's national borrowing. And make no mistakes about it, under the PLP Bermuda's debt has risen, and those costs are being passed on to you, the taxpayer. The Fitch report isn't about whether or not the average Bermudian can make ends meet, can put food on the table, or can pay the rent. And that's what the UBP are concerned about. For example, our election platform promised to eliminate payroll tax for those making less than $42,000 a year, giving them back almost $2,000 more to cover expenses.
Finally: the PLP blog makes a lot of noise about the suggestion to trim the Music Festival. But, which would you rather have: a happy, well-paid police force, a happy, well-paid supply of teachers, well-paved roads, or a big set? No-one is against a party, but it is up to the Government t act responsibly and prioritize to tackle our national problems: education, crime, drugs, etc. But, after several years, the Government still hasn't reached contract agreement with the Police. And, last time I checked, Bermudians didn't need government help to throw a good party...
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Maggie Smith Photographed for TV Times, 1965
2 hours ago
1 comment:
I'm no fan of consumerism and all that, but looking at the Music Festival, I do think it should be viewed as a long-term investment in the tourism product. I think that over time it will actually help with tourism, and it should be maintained.
I would like to see alot more done in the way of eco-tourism and cultural tourism rather than the mere lip-service that we currently see.
As for the payroll tax... I'm much mor in favour of a progressive income tax rather than the flat taxes we currently have.
The PLP Blog. Yes, I too expect more from it than what it has been to date. It should, as the official site of the Party, take a more sophisticated and mature approach to the political argument, and to comments that may disagree with it. Quite a bit of what it is actually saying isn't necessarily all that bad, but the style that its written, well, thats pretty bad at times...
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