Yeah don't be fooled either...There is a difference between the deficit and the debt. By decreasing the deficit by two thirds all they are saying is they are not increasing the debt as much as they did in the past. The debt is still in the billions of dollars and way too much in relation to what the country produces.

At this point the country needs surpluses not just deficit reduction. And surplus is going to call for intelligent planning not simply just taxing people to pieces!

No disrespect intended to the author but this letter is rubbish. Wasn't it reported by The Tribune about a week ago that carnival organizers hope that the event will become profitable by its third year? So the aggressively positive tone of this message and the touting of Grand Bahama's Carnival outcomes make no sense.

[link text][1]

[1]: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/apr… "Third Year, Mavbe?"

But what offended me most is the mention of "an economics rule of thumb in calculating the macroeconomic impact of an investment". What exactly is this? There is a number of methodologies that can be used to calculate the economic impact of an investment. Mr. Coleby, unfortunately like many government officials, seem a bit too comfortable throwing around concepts and statistics that they don't fully understand. "An unqualified macroeconomic success" this phrase has absolutely no meaning!

What should matter is the number of tourists that came specifically to see the carnival and the amount of money vendors spent on goods and services specifically for the carnival and how many times this total is multiplied through the economy. If you think this adds up to the tens of millions being thrown around by the officials then "God bless your heart" and I have some land to sell you.

Honestly, is this what its come to now? Whining, grovelling and hopelessness? I never wanted it but my hands are tied! Is that suppose to make it OK? What are these guys expectations when they step into public office. Do they think that they'll drive around in chauffeured cars all day and have meetings where its all smiles and handshakes? Tough decisions...What are those? When it comes to every single socio-economic issue of some value and importance every single one of our politicians are shrugging with a clueless look on their faces or spouting rhetoric. Its time for something new people.

Excellent points about government spending, but your final point about government employment is off. While what you said is true about the number of people employed on the public payroll, this practice is legitimate. When considering that the Bahamas has no "real" welfare system in place or any other means to transfer wealth, the practice of government hiring above efficient levels must be kept in place. But to your points it must be managed more efficiently and be made free of corruption. But even more importantly political leaders themselves need to educated on these systems and why they exist. It is not difficult to understand why national corporations when privatized the first thing that happens is that the new private owners fire a considerable amount of people. Financially it is the obvious move but in the interest of public welfare and economic growth it is disastrous.

I agree 100% that the PM has to lead and we must realize that problem #1 with our nation is proper leadership and the lack thereof. But selling off national assets is not the answer.
What most don't know is that the modus operandi of international organizations like the IMF, World Bank, etc. in South America, The Caribbean, Africa...basically anywhere governments are in financial constraints, is to promote economic policies which cause further damage to their economies and then international corporations, which in action are represented by these international organizations from the most developed nations, sweep in and buy up these assets fire a large portion of its workers and rake in millions/billions in the process.
What the Bahamas needs is intelligence, transparency, and a responsible long term plan to fix its economy. Based on the comments and actions of our current leaders, they don't have what it takes to do this.

Spoken like someone who understands economics. Couldn't have said it better.

In a circular, off hand way meaning what the government rep said is incorrect. We have a pegged currency regime, meaning that our currency is worth what we say that its worth and we have the foreign currency reserves to back that position.
It will take a whole lot more than the government rejecting VAT to make the devaluation of the Bahamian dollar a viable/sensible option. It would take something cataclysmic in the economy before devaluation made sense. By that time devaluation would be the least of our worries.

Is this man seriously talking about the militarization of the police force? In any free society, when has this been a good idea? Do the research, and be prepared to have your personal freedoms curtailed if this becomes a reality.
This is just an attempt to place a band aid on a gaping wound. Its not difficult to understand the underlying reasons for crime. There are more developed nations with vastly larger populations that are not suffering from high crime rates. How about working on our educational system which continues to churn out D and F average students? How about tackling income inequality in this nation, where its quite obvious that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting the raw deal?
Bahamian government**s** have been failing the Bahamian people miserably for the past two decades. Proposals like this one do very little to offer in the way of hope or change.

I would say that you sir are incorrect. Mr. Massey is spot on. Massey was not editorializing the intellectual capacity of the Bahamas in comparison to another country. That is not important. What is important is implementing a taxation regime too complicated to be sustained.
Its obvious that law makers are struggling with the concepts involved with VAT and I would be surprised of the number of them that have a solid grasp of the subject and its implications.
Massey's major concerns were of simplicity and sustainability. Considering the far less complicated tax systems already in place that are not being administered properly, what do you think is in store for VAT procedures?
And just for your information VAT does penalize the poor as it can cause inflationary pressures which increase price levels and by its very nature it is non progressive. Long story short, poor people buying products pay more.