Can't argue with anything in the US report - it's all factually correct. For Minister Nottage to even suggest that there is a general downwards trend in crime is an outrage. Do these people think that if they speak it out loud it might come true? Just be honest Minister and say you haven't a clue how to deal with the crime problem and bring in people who can help.
The mere suggestion of currency devaluation should cause all Bahamians to pause and reflect. Devaluation would be a disaster for The Bahamas. If persons think next year is going to be tough just imagine, as a nation that imports almost everything, how much more difficult life would be with a devalued currency? Government needs to reign in public spending NOW and enforce current taxes. VAT alone will not protect us. Talk of implementing a National Health programme in 2016 is more empty rhetoric. Anyone with a grain of intelligence knows that the country cannot afford a project like this at this time.
All of the soon to be legalized numbers houses should be levied a punitive foundational Business Licence fee. This fee should be large enough to eliminate much of the profit these operators have made on the back of illegal activities. Having paid their dues they would then be free to trade legally going forward. If government fails to claw back much of this profit then what message does it send to Joe Public?
A National Lottery should be established by a foreign organization (with Bahamian participation) that knows what it is doing as this could earn valuable income for sport and other community interests.
People with disposable income generally possess that income because they don't throw their money away in the false belief that you can make money playing numbers on a regular basis. Personally, I have nothing against anyone who wants to play numbers or any other form of gambling but do it for fun with money you can afford to lose!
A sensible compromise but of itself it will not be enough. Government needs to enforce Property Taxes AND reign in the reckless spending by many of its cabinet ministers. The culture on non-existent jobs for the boys must also end immediately. All of this may still be too late to avoid a credit downgrade in the short term.
Great performance from both the athletes and the organisers. We are so used to having to complain about all the negative aspects of Bahamian society, it was truly uplifting to be able to acknowledge the country's excellence in the field of sport. Let's use this acclaim we have received as a country and encourage all citizens to strive for excellence in their everyday lives. Instead of wasting money of numbers houses ,we should be spending our hard earned cash on a new pair of running shoes!
This is one of the few times where I agree with Fred Mitchell. You should not be able to buy Citizenship of ANY country. The rights of a citizen should be conferred only to those who have demonstrated commitment / contribution to a country over an extended period of time.
Interesting. Normally the presumption of innocence would apply and he would be "suspended" pending the outcome of his trial. How can you sack a man who hasn't yet been found guilty of anything?
If he is guilty he should be sacked as a senator but I think we should be careful not to rush to judgment. The circumstances surrounding this arrest are peculiar to say the least and need careful investigation. It is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility that he has been set up.
Does anyone honestly believe that an intelligent man like Bostwick would be foolish enough to put live ammunition in his luggage? Come on folks? How easy would it have been for the many persons handling his luggage to slip something incriminating into his suitcase at some point in the journey? This story does not stack up at all and so everyone needs to keep an open mind, especially the police.
Honestman says...
Can't argue with anything in the US report - it's all factually correct. For Minister Nottage to even suggest that there is a general downwards trend in crime is an outrage. Do these people think that if they speak it out loud it might come true? Just be honest Minister and say you haven't a clue how to deal with the crime problem and bring in people who can help.
On U.S. warns again over crime in the Bahamas
Posted 30 May 2014, 1:50 p.m. Suggest removal
Honestman says...
"Government borrowing for the upcoming fiscal year will shrink to $343m compared to the $465m that was borrowed in the 2013/2014 fiscal year."
Sorry but $343m ain't no shrinking! That's another $343m that needs to be paid back. And yet, 30 ministries/departments receive increased budgets!!!!
On Spending to increase for 30 ministries and departments
Posted 30 May 2014, 1:25 p.m. Suggest removal
Honestman says...
The mere suggestion of currency devaluation should cause all Bahamians to pause and reflect. Devaluation would be a disaster for The Bahamas. If persons think next year is going to be tough just imagine, as a nation that imports almost everything, how much more difficult life would be with a devalued currency? Government needs to reign in public spending NOW and enforce current taxes. VAT alone will not protect us. Talk of implementing a National Health programme in 2016 is more empty rhetoric. Anyone with a grain of intelligence knows that the country cannot afford a project like this at this time.
On Avoiding devaluation reason for lack of cuts in duty
Posted 30 May 2014, 1:18 p.m. Suggest removal
Honestman says...
All of the soon to be legalized numbers houses should be levied a punitive foundational Business Licence fee. This fee should be large enough to eliminate much of the profit these operators have made on the back of illegal activities. Having paid their dues they would then be free to trade legally going forward. If government fails to claw back much of this profit then what message does it send to Joe Public?
A National Lottery should be established by a foreign organization (with Bahamian participation) that knows what it is doing as this could earn valuable income for sport and other community interests.
People with disposable income generally possess that income because they don't throw their money away in the false belief that you can make money playing numbers on a regular basis. Personally, I have nothing against anyone who wants to play numbers or any other form of gambling but do it for fun with money you can afford to lose!
On July 1 taxation date for web shops
Posted 29 May 2014, 3:48 p.m. Suggest removal
Honestman says...
A sensible compromise but of itself it will not be enough. Government needs to enforce Property Taxes AND reign in the reckless spending by many of its cabinet ministers. The culture on non-existent jobs for the boys must also end immediately. All of this may still be too late to avoid a credit downgrade in the short term.
On VAT will be delayed until January, 2015
Posted 28 May 2014, 4:47 p.m. Suggest removal
Honestman says...
Great performance from both the athletes and the organisers. We are so used to having to complain about all the negative aspects of Bahamian society, it was truly uplifting to be able to acknowledge the country's excellence in the field of sport. Let's use this acclaim we have received as a country and encourage all citizens to strive for excellence in their everyday lives. Instead of wasting money of numbers houses ,we should be spending our hard earned cash on a new pair of running shoes!
On Golden Knights bring sell-out crowd to its feet
Posted 26 May 2014, 12:40 p.m. Suggest removal
Honestman says...
This is one of the few times where I agree with Fred Mitchell. You should not be able to buy Citizenship of ANY country. The rights of a citizen should be conferred only to those who have demonstrated commitment / contribution to a country over an extended period of time.
On MITCHELL CASTS DOUBT ON INVESTOR CITIZENSHIP PLAN
Posted 22 May 2014, 11:59 a.m. Suggest removal
Honestman says...
Interesting. Normally the presumption of innocence would apply and he would be "suspended" pending the outcome of his trial. How can you sack a man who hasn't yet been found guilty of anything?
On Bostwick fired from Senate post
Posted 22 May 2014, 11:55 a.m. Suggest removal
Honestman says...
If he is guilty he should be sacked as a senator but I think we should be careful not to rush to judgment. The circumstances surrounding this arrest are peculiar to say the least and need careful investigation. It is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility that he has been set up.
On Bostwick ‘had ammunition in bag at airport’
Posted 19 May 2014, 4:34 p.m. Suggest removal
Honestman says...
Does anyone honestly believe that an intelligent man like Bostwick would be foolish enough to put live ammunition in his luggage? Come on folks? How easy would it have been for the many persons handling his luggage to slip something incriminating into his suitcase at some point in the journey? This story does not stack up at all and so everyone needs to keep an open mind, especially the police.
On Bostwick ‘had ammunition in bag at airport’
Posted 19 May 2014, 1:19 p.m. Suggest removal