D'Aguilar is absolutely conflicted in both appearance and actuality and it reflects poorly on the FNM. Remember corruption and poor governance starts in small matters and overtime escalates into what we saw in the last years of the PLP "rule".
Why was the duty on commercial washing machines and dryers reduced so quickly when the residence of Bain Town can't get their inner city tax exemptions until "next year"? Why hasn't VAT been removed on bread basket items? Who benefits from duty reductions on commerical washers and dryers? Certain not the residence of over the hill. They are still being charged the same amount to do their laundry. While multi millionaires get richer and richer. Shame. Shame. Shame.
We should follow standard practices as seen in the US. Rex Tillerson, US Secretary of State who recused himself on issues related to Russian oil drilling because he was the former CEO of Exxon with deep ties to Russia.
US Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself of the Russian investigation of the Trump administration on the simple basis that he chatted with the Russian Ambassador during the campaign.
D'Agular was a former Director of Baha Mar and highly critical of the Chinese before the election. The former beneficial owner of Baha Mar, a foreigner, looms large as a key supporter of the FNM (appearing at the swearing in). Were there any foreign campaign monies flowing to the FNM from these sources? If so, how much? Where is the Campaign Finance Reform Act? Why doesn't the FNM disclose it campaign funding and provide complete details of where their funds came from. They will say because the PLP did not do it. When since did the PLP become a measuring rod for good governance. Shame. Shame. Shame.
You know what they will say? They will say they will do this next year....and next year will never come. Nothing will change. The FNM will become the new PLP if they don't change their ways right now.
DonAnthony, you are absolutely correct. Currently the government is borrowing $722 million, which is 10% of the entire debt of the entire Country. I find it hard to believe that there are so many old invoices that have "suddenly" come due. Dey (we) gettin swing again.
A lot of this debt has been accumulated by the government "for profit businesses" which have never been accountable to the people and will not be accountable by this FNM either.
The only way to stop the bleeding before we go bankrupt is to sell Bahamasair, Sell the 51% of BTC owned by the government, sell water and sewerage, sell BEC or whatever they call it now (BPL), sell Bamsi, sell Bank of the Bahamas, Sell the mortgage corporation, sell ZNS, sell the Port , sell the airport, make these damn foreigners (hotels especially) pay some taxes etc. etc.
If we don't sell these business the debt will be well over $10 billion by the time the FNM is completed and we will need to devalue the dollar...which is already almost worthless.
Borrowing $722 million is not credible...but there is an insatiable demand for government debt both within the country and internationally.
I'm skeptical that the government actually has $400 million in unpaid legitimate invoices. The simple solution is not to borrow the $400 until the bills are verified. If the funds are borrowed then it immediately legitimizes the bills and everyone will be calmorouring for payment. Each bill must be fully scrutinized and make the vendors wait. People are doing sloppy work or provide fraudulent invoices to the government because they know if they wait long enough they will be paid. And what about the $800,000 Ingram said was missing from the Treasury?
D’Aguilar making the same mistakes as the PLP and the FNM's previous administrations. In no developed country (US, Canada, Europe, Japan etc) does the government run an airline. Why? Because it is not the function of government to run businesses. And if the government runs a business it can't be profitable. Why? Because there are no shareholders to be accountable to on a quarterly basis and via an Annual General Meeting where they can be tossed out for incompetence. Well, perhaps some accounting every 5 years via an election but that doesn't stop them from losing money for 5 years!
Pulling out of domestic routes is an excellent idea. I go to Long Island regularly and Bahamasair is late a lot. Most times Southern Air leaves early. The new planes that the government just bought for $250 million are constantly breaking down and one puff of wind completely destroyed one beyond repair. How is that possible?
So I say, get out of local routes, subsidize local airlines to fly to far away islands that are not profitable and subsidize international airlines to provide airlift from non profitable destinations to assist tourism.
Actually the Bahamian people are subsidizing foreign gated communities because
1. VAT is a regressive tax hurting the poor black people who buy more per capita
2. No income tax so all the stock market capital gains of foreigners are not taxed. In their developed home countries they are taxed at a rate of 20 to 30%
3. BEC, Water and Sewerage, Bahamas Air and everything else is utilized more per capita by the foreigners with their over-sized and homes, yachts and private jets than Bahamians. All of these government institutions are run at massive losses in Bahamian dollars and the government debt is owed by the Bahamian people. While the foreigner keep their money safely in US dollars out of the country.
I could go on and on but whats the use. Our dumb politicians have no idea how to fairly spread the cost of their incompetent government between foreigners and Bahamians.
observer2 says...
D'Aguilar is absolutely conflicted in both appearance and actuality and it reflects poorly on the FNM. Remember corruption and poor governance starts in small matters and overtime escalates into what we saw in the last years of the PLP "rule".
Why was the duty on commercial washing machines and dryers reduced so quickly when the residence of Bain Town can't get their inner city tax exemptions until "next year"? Why hasn't VAT been removed on bread basket items? Who benefits from duty reductions on commerical washers and dryers? Certain not the residence of over the hill. They are still being charged the same amount to do their laundry. While multi millionaires get richer and richer. Shame. Shame. Shame.
We should follow standard practices as seen in the US. Rex Tillerson, US Secretary of State who recused himself on issues related to Russian oil drilling because he was the former CEO of Exxon with deep ties to Russia.
US Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself of the Russian investigation of the Trump administration on the simple basis that he chatted with the Russian Ambassador during the campaign.
D'Agular was a former Director of Baha Mar and highly critical of the Chinese before the election. The former beneficial owner of Baha Mar, a foreigner, looms large as a key supporter of the FNM (appearing at the swearing in). Were there any foreign campaign monies flowing to the FNM from these sources? If so, how much? Where is the Campaign Finance Reform Act? Why doesn't the FNM disclose it campaign funding and provide complete details of where their funds came from. They will say because the PLP did not do it. When since did the PLP become a measuring rod for good governance. Shame. Shame. Shame.
You know what they will say? They will say they will do this next year....and next year will never come. Nothing will change. The FNM will become the new PLP if they don't change their ways right now.
On Baha Mar targets just 25% occupancy rate
Posted 7 June 2017, 10:52 a.m. Suggest removal
observer2 says...
Delta.
On Bahamasair may cut back domestic services
Posted 1 June 2017, 1:44 p.m. Suggest removal
observer2 says...
DonAnthony, you are absolutely correct. Currently the government is borrowing $722 million, which is 10% of the entire debt of the entire Country. I find it hard to believe that there are so many old invoices that have "suddenly" come due. Dey (we) gettin swing again.
A lot of this debt has been accumulated by the government "for profit businesses" which have never been accountable to the people and will not be accountable by this FNM either.
The only way to stop the bleeding before we go bankrupt is to sell Bahamasair, Sell the 51% of BTC owned by the government, sell water and sewerage, sell BEC or whatever they call it now (BPL), sell Bamsi, sell Bank of the Bahamas, Sell the mortgage corporation, sell ZNS, sell the Port , sell the airport, make these damn foreigners (hotels especially) pay some taxes etc. etc.
If we don't sell these business the debt will be well over $10 billion by the time the FNM is completed and we will need to devalue the dollar...which is already almost worthless.
Borrowing $722 million is not credible...but there is an insatiable demand for government debt both within the country and internationally.
On Bahamasair may cut back domestic services
Posted 1 June 2017, 1:43 p.m. Suggest removal
observer2 says...
I'm skeptical that the government actually has $400 million in unpaid legitimate invoices. The simple solution is not to borrow the $400 until the bills are verified. If the funds are borrowed then it immediately legitimizes the bills and everyone will be calmorouring for payment. Each bill must be fully scrutinized and make the vendors wait. People are doing sloppy work or provide fraudulent invoices to the government because they know if they wait long enough they will be paid. And what about the $800,000 Ingram said was missing from the Treasury?
On Govt will borrow $722m to pay bills
Posted 1 June 2017, 11:33 a.m. Suggest removal
observer2 says...
D’Aguilar making the same mistakes as the PLP and the FNM's previous administrations. In no developed country (US, Canada, Europe, Japan etc) does the government run an airline. Why? Because it is not the function of government to run businesses. And if the government runs a business it can't be profitable. Why? Because there are no shareholders to be accountable to on a quarterly basis and via an Annual General Meeting where they can be tossed out for incompetence. Well, perhaps some accounting every 5 years via an election but that doesn't stop them from losing money for 5 years!
Pulling out of domestic routes is an excellent idea. I go to Long Island regularly and Bahamasair is late a lot. Most times Southern Air leaves early. The new planes that the government just bought for $250 million are constantly breaking down and one puff of wind completely destroyed one beyond repair. How is that possible?
So I say, get out of local routes, subsidize local airlines to fly to far away islands that are not profitable and subsidize international airlines to provide airlift from non profitable destinations to assist tourism.
Shut Bahamasair down!
On Bahamasair may cut back domestic services
Posted 1 June 2017, 11:06 a.m. Suggest removal
observer2 says...
Tall, you are absolutely correct. Once the ballots are move and stored anything could happen.
On DNA concern over ballot box security
Posted 5 May 2017, 2:37 p.m. Suggest removal
observer2 says...
Not useful as we have very low octane gas which is just above diesel in its ability to pollute the environment.
On Deputy speaker owned stolen car
Posted 19 April 2017, 3:01 p.m. Suggest removal
observer2 says...
The national average for high school students is now A
Crime has been eliminated.
Full employment has been achieved.
The Bahamas now has a AAA bond rating.
The national debt has been eliminated.
Each Bahamian will get a check for $1,000 from the Government.
On PM reveals Grand Lucayan sale plan at PLP Freeport rally
Posted 10 April 2017, 9:07 a.m. Suggest removal
observer2 says...
Actually the Bahamian people are subsidizing foreign gated communities because
1. VAT is a regressive tax hurting the poor black people who buy more per capita
2. No income tax so all the stock market capital gains of foreigners are not taxed. In their developed home countries they are taxed at a rate of 20 to 30%
3. BEC, Water and Sewerage, Bahamas Air and everything else is utilized more per capita by the foreigners with their over-sized and homes, yachts and private jets than Bahamians. All of these government institutions are run at massive losses in Bahamian dollars and the government debt is owed by the Bahamian people. While the foreigner keep their money safely in US dollars out of the country.
I could go on and on but whats the use. Our dumb politicians have no idea how to fairly spread the cost of their incompetent government between foreigners and Bahamians.
On ‘Dock tax’ crackdown on gated communities
Posted 4 April 2017, 6:15 p.m. Suggest removal
observer2 says...
RBC also reducing hours in Long Island to 3 days per week.
We are being forced to bank at the Webshops which are always open and have branches in every settlement.
On Banks in the Bahamas
Posted 21 March 2017, 8:40 a.m. Suggest removal