Sheep .....The Fiscal responsibility Act should ensure that the Mess this country is in Financially does not happen again unless a Brave administration get in power and repeal it. ..That is why it is my hope that right thinking Bahamians would be in the Majority again next election and keep the opposition in the wilderness if the likes of Brave is the leader....could you imagine them running a dual Min Of finance in the Perry govenrment. One was actually in the office of the Prime minister and the other was at the Min of works. ...thats the height of foolishness and thats the king of thing Brave would do again.

The Gov Budget for 2018-2019 will ensure that the Bahamas does not have to make the dreaded call to the IMF that Barbados newly elected Prime minister The Hon Mia Mottley has had to make last week for a bail out by that agency. Major economic restructuring was now necessary in the face of an out-of-control debt of 175 per cent of gross domestic product, an estimated $15 billion which is said to be $9 billion more than what the previous Democratic Labour Party administration inherited in 2008 when it took office.Can you imagine that Bahamians ? Barbados with a population of 285,000 much smaller than the Bahamas has a national depth of 15 Billion.Dollars.compared to the 9 Billion for the Bahamas. This fact alone iis all the more reason that we should all support the increase in Vat and the government's three year plan to reach a balanced budget and have a surplus in three years time.. God forbid, Barring any massive natural disaster for our country over that three year time frame we will all (even the now Critics) be singing the praises for this administration for this bold step to turn this ship of state around from going the way of Barbados and Greese in the European union.

The Gov Budget for 2018-2019 will ensure that the Bahamas does not have to make the dreaded call to the IMF that Barbados newly elected Prime minister The Hon Mia Mottley has had to make last week for a bail out by that agency. Major economic restructuring was now necessary in the face of an out-of-control debt of 175 per cent of gross domestic product, an estimated $15 billion which is said to be $9 billion more than what the previous Democratic Labour Party administration inherited in 2008 when it took office.Can you imagine that Bahamians ? Barbados with a population of 285,000 much smaller than the Bahamas has a national depth of 15 Billion.Dollars.compared to the 9 Billion for the Bahamas. This fact alone iis all the more reason that we should all support the increase in Vat and the government's three year plan to reach a balanced budget and have a surplus in three years time.. God forbid, Barring any massive natural disaster for our country over that three year time frame we will all (even the now Critics) be singing the praises for this administration for this bold step to turn this ship of state around from going the way of Barbados and Greese in the European union.

I concur with this post. I would like to add that Bahamians need to develope a more discipline mindset and adopt the Chinese way of generational thinking. because finally we are being governed by higher principles and standards than we have ever been in since independence.

The government decision to increase taxes on the web shops is clearly a discrimination issue. To many people are scared to say so..so i will. It shows who are pulling the strings in the red shirts party. There is a segment of the population who dont like the rise in the wealth and status that the web shop fellars have aquired but i would advise them if i was in their position to deversify their company holding and investments... so if and when the web shop cookie comes crumbling down, they would have something to fall back on. There is alot of talk about going the lottery route.in this country and if that eventually happens the government plan will be to ensure that the principles owners of the web shops are shut out completely from any profits from that form of gambling.

@Sheeprunner12 ....I would estimate that less than 20% of Bahamians understand or are even trying to understand what the government is trying to do in this budget long term. You are one of the sensible ones who thinks before you write so you have to ignore the critics.I hope the likes of Perry Christie administration never see the power of government again and even if they do the Fiscal responsibilty Act would constrain any intent of runaway spending. .As for some of critics here you have to classify most of them as ignorant political mischief makers..

Excellent article Mr Norman ...well written and researched ..find a way to get more exposure to the information in this article by posting it on social media pages along with Radio station interviews and join the advocates for saving our natural resources

Excellent article Ms Bootle ...well written and reserched ..find a way to get more exposure to the information in this article by posting it on social media pages along with Radio station interviews and join the advocates for saving our natural resources

you naysayers and critics would read all 127 pages and come to the realization....

The few comenters on here such as the_Oracle, Economist,Don_Anthony, OMG Sheeprunner12 and Licks2 who see the bigger picture of what this govenrment is trying to do I I salute you for your foresight. The rest of you need to do some soul searching, Some personal introspection especially if you have children.and have any sence of your country value, perception and standing in this world.... ask yourselves if you want this country to go the way of Greese .It is my wish that all of you would come to the realization of the main Objectives of this Budget when the fervour of your resentment dies down.