Target Eleuthera ????? Businesses are already struggling under the burden of taxes and as a result the consumer. Yes Mr Wison balance the budget by clawing in more taxes but how about this idea--------reduce expenditure. And by the way the more you take from the community the less disposable income there is to support these businesses and a downward spiral starts. Just think of all the subtle tax increases we have endured like the disposal tax . I hear plans to increase VAT to 10 or %15 after the election. Tourists and residents alike already pay 25% on top of any restaurant bill (%18 + 7.5%) so if VAT is increased again the taxes and gratuities will probably exceed the cost of the meal. And despite all these taxes government expenditure continues to increase above income and the infrastructure crumbles.

With the national debt in the region of 75% of GND there is little left over for investment hence the continual borrowing. I once questioned this disposal tax with a customs officer. He just laughed and said " things just go to the dump as always". Other clinics on mainland Eleuthera suffer with .poor infrastructure, lack of basic medicines, little or no medical oxygen, no doctors,no paper no ink, shortage of nurses, and the list goes on. On a recent visit to Governors Harbour by the PM and a host of others to break ground for the new "hospital" they couldn't even be bothered to travel a few yards and see the state of the main clinic and talk to the hard working nurses.

You have been drinking again Naughty dread. If the government can't afford to repair clinics and schools now how do you expect them to fund NI ?

And still the party faithful believe all that is fed them and say" beat me,beat me ,oh please raise taxes again--I love high prices@.

And all the other less advertised increases. Just found out the stamp tax has doubled from 3% to 6 %. Doesn't the government realise that taking all this money out of the economy means less for the public to invest, buy property, save and spend. Customs duties reduction-where?

Like everything this is going to be rolled out simply so the government can say they did it. People actually believe that Central Eleuthera is going to have a hospital which only goes to show how easily fooled the general public is.

Correct me if I am wrong but aren't the existing clinics actually Primary health care facilities and if so look at the existing problems. Abaco not finished. Exuma finished at a cost of 14 million -not occupied. Existing clinics short of basic medication, simple stuff such as arm slings, neck braces or replacement pads for AED units, irregular supplies of medical oxygen, nurse shortages. The list goes on and on. Why run when you can't walk ?

Improved financial position, but hasn't the national deficit increased over and above VAT collections ? Surely it would be the time to hold back on new projects and pay the national debt down or maybe even put some aside for the inevitable next hurricane. So simple, cut the bloated civil service by natural wastage , use voluntary labour and resources for the Christmas decorations and cancel Carnival and these are just a few suggestions. How about administrators who drive top of the line Jeeps ,why not a cheaper car ?. All government cars and trucks to be only used for work not private use. The list could go on and on.

And yet our distinguished Director of Education send his lacky to Cuba to recruit Cuban teachers whose command of English or heavy accent makes them difficult to understand and often are not even trained in the subject they come here to teach. Oh and also the Cuban government gets a large proportion of the Cuban teachers Bahamian salary, so in effect you could argue that the Bahamian Government is helping support this regime ?

On a past visit many years ago an American in our party was mugged. It was reported to the police and on our return to the hotel about 4 hours later she got all her belongings back. No Cuba is not perfect but people travel because they are curious and the Bahamas will loose many tourists who will on a whim go to see Cuba. Lets face it Bay street has nothing to offer and what a joke when one sees "duty free liquor" when the liquor is actually cheaper in the USA even after tax. Tourists are not fools and word spreads