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Independence from the
Independence from the UK?????...we need the UK now more than ever!!!
Nicky, I like the topic, but
Nicky, I like the topic, but I'm afraid that this poll is too polarized somewhat. It falsely gives the impression that Cayman's only option is either Independence or remain a British Overseas territory under the same unfair, non-democratic system of government, which has a Constitution that pertains to the UK's interest and not to Caymanians
The reason we cannot consider
The reason we cannot consider going independent is the fear of having leaders like McKeeva Bush running our country. Independence will take Cayman down the road of a Banana Republic or a failed and corrupt African State with a dictator running the show such as an uneducated tyrant and bully such as McChavez.
If Cayman was to be
If Cayman was to be independent who would then save them from themselves? One look at all things Caymanian in the recent past should tell you something. What is keeping Cayman from being a sucess story?
Cayman Indepedence:
You don't need to have all this fear if your country Cayman islands will be independent. I;m from a small island state in Europe which is called Malta! Like the Cayman we were a Britich colony but we gained full independence in the 1960s'! Like the Cayman the some Maltese feared that we will not make it on our own because our only source of money was toursim and over 70% of the people worked with the British services which left after our independence!Malta also managed to enter EU with all tht big powers!
If you will gain independence you can still maintain a close relationship with the UK. Who can invade your country?? we're in 2009 not in in 1600! You can have a small military like other small countries have.
Why some Cayman islanders does not have that NATIONAL PRIDE???It is so beautiful to say that you're from an a fully independent island because after all Cayman islands on the international level is not considered a country!
Go ahead and look for a bright future as a full independent country and feel that national pride !
Independence a bad
Independence a bad idea!
Cayman (and it's leaders) are a loooooong way off from being ready for Independence. Corruption would increase with political leaders having no one to answer to. Travel to any of our neighbour islands and see how well they have prospered from going independent. A very few rich and powerful and the masses left in poverty and ignorance.
If Cayman goes independent, many "born ya" caymanians will be lining up to move to the UK, EU or USA like many others in the Caribbean (looking for a better life).
Those advocating independence; be careful what you wish for...
A "born ya" caymanian.
You said it! The letter to
You said it! The letter to the editor on Monday also hit the nail on the head....only the greedy shall profit from Independence. What is soooo wrong with our current system? Only the proud rooster leaders who want to line their pockets want this. Do NOT be fooled, the poor and average citizen would never benefit.
I am proud and happy to be part of the UK.
We need to make our plan for
We need to make our plan for independence, as it will be foolhardy not to do so. The necessary institutions for nation building and the development of our future leaders and diplomats should start with a 10 year plan in mind if the UK gives us that long!
Our people are in need of being educated, and realise what their place in the world is presently and what it will be after independence.
It is not a choice we have any longer - so we must plan for it from now.
I can clearly remember the
I can clearly remember the days when the Cayman Islands was just a sleepy little fishing village. I looked forward to getting up at 3 AM monday to saturday and going fishing to get food for my family.
We would sell a little of our catch and use the pittance to buy the flour and corn meal to make the dumplings. Coconuts were our source of fat in those days and they were plentiful.
Fishing in the morning and laying thatch rope in the afternoon was our occupation.
Then came the shipping companies and took our men away to sea whilst our women folk stayed behind to raise the children. We sent home our salaries to build ,many of the Cayman homes you still see around and we never looked back.
Those of us who were able to get some form of education moved these islands from the sleepy fishing villages to the modern Banking centers of today.
Yes the salary was only US127.50 per month and we did one year minimum contracts after which we came home and either increased the size of our homes a bit or just rested for our next call to duty.
Those were the good old days. Boy do I really miss them.
We were very Independent in those days. We had very little and did not expect much. The UK certainly did not send us the good life then and they are not sending us anything now. They certainly have no right to be kicking us around.
I would love to see how long
I would love to see how long Cayman will last before corruption devours the island. Oh yeah, isn't that already taken place? Trust me if the islands go independent the corruption will only multiply.
Cayman needs to stop and observe the lessons of our neighbouring countries.
The UK is not begging to keep us, so stop acting like we're doing them a favour and stop pointing the figure at the UK. Cayman is as much to blame for the issues that we face as the UK is for the cost of the probes!
Cayman is a relatively young country, give her time to mature before we talk about independence!
Think logical about what it will cost the islands if the banking and tourism industries fail. What about the security and safety of the islands?
I guess we have the funds for a small milita?
Who will be there to ensure the ''President'' or ''Prime Minister'' isn't being corrupt, I guess the opposition? The opposition exertion of power and authority will be limited.
Cayman, do not be foolish into thinking that the people who invest into the island (banking and finance) do so because we're a tax haven it also has a lot to do with the fact that they know we have the security of the UK behind us.
Independance
Grow up and be independant. Everybody is created equal and you don't have to bow to anybody.
Old Chinese proverb: "Don't
Old Chinese proverb: "Don't listen to advice on independence from someone who can't even spell the word".
The changes are coming Cayman
The changes are coming Cayman wether we talk about it or not so for all those hiding in their crabholes crying that it is not going to happen you are deluding yourselves, We had better start planning how we are going to make this painful transition and becoming more self reliant and preparing ourselves for the inevitable. Indepedence is no longer an option Cayman.
INDEPENDENCE??? ***** What
INDEPENDENCE???
*****
What will be our ARMY???
How will we protect these Islands from a nation that seeks our harm???
Who will protect us???
How can we go independent when we have allowed more foreignors to rule over us than our own???
What industries do we have other than tourism and banking???
If tourism and banking fail, how will we live???
I think we need to think really hard before "talking" independence!
Instead of severing ties from the UK, I think, we should be strengthening our ties with her...
We ought to be thankful as well!
Independence is not the way, but INTER-DEPENDENCE
Peace
What will be our ARMY???
What will be our ARMY??? What in heavens name do we need an Army for??? When was the last time a foreign nation tried to invade us??
How will we protect these Islands from a nation that seeks our harm??? NEWSFLASH!! Take a look at the UK and as yourself again who is trying to harm us??
Who will protect us??? From Whom???
How can we go independent when we have allowed more foreignors to rule over us than our own??? Wake up, grow a pair and Take back your country and therefore you destiny!!
What industries do we have other than tourism and banking??? What more do you need if administered and managed well???
If tourism and banking fail, how will we live??? Hey Chicken Little...the sky IS NOT falling....Pull your head out of your A$$ and put your nose to the grindstone and pull together and they will not fail!!
Seriously, these sort of comments are a prime example of how soft the Native population of this country have become..Do you think that our forefathers let the fear of the unknown stop them from becoming leaders and captains of industry??? Stop being so DAMN scared of failure and therefore scared of controlling your own destiny!! If anyone thinks for one millisecond that the government of the UK gives one iota of care about this OT, then you are seriously deluding yourself!! Either lead, follow or get the hell out of the way!!
Lead, follow, or get out of the way!
I have to say that you have hit the nail on the head. For so many years Caymanians have whined about being British ruled. It is time to move ahead. It is time to grow up. I like your phase stating that the UK government does not care one Iota for Cayman or its' people. If we do not take control of our own destiny...how can we complain when others walk all over us? How did you put it? Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way!! I like that!!!
good comments! unfortunately
good comments! unfortunately too many citizens of this small land do not care to put their "nose to the grindstone" and have no concept what "a day's work for a day's pay" entails!
The fundamentals of Human life do not change: grow from childhood to maturity, get an education and learn skills, make a living working hard, accumulate assets to prepare to have your own family and provide for your retirement.
Most people that take shortcuts or think that they have outsmarted the rest, eventually get short-changed themselves. This applies on an individual level as well as on a national and even global scale. (sub-par mortgage mess)
cayman needs to realize that it has departed from the fundamental truth's before it can think about political, much less economic, independence.
You know, the time may just
You know, the time may just come when UK says "ready or not....independence."
Even asking the question like
Even asking the question like this right now is very very dangerous for Cayman's future.
It is small-minded thinking
It is small-minded thinking like this that has landed us in our present predicament. There may well come a time when Cayman has no option but to go independent because of the alternative that will be imposed on us. I fwe do not consider this possibility and lay the groundwork now we will be in a sorry state then.
Questions are never
Questions are never dangerous. They're questions.
Unless someone asks "Would you mind jumping in front of that bus?"
And you reply "Not at all."
They can't be serious
With a population of a small town America that need 10% of it's population to be organized, may the universe help you, to be independent the entire population will need to work for the government to account for the additional services.
Could you imagine the civil service of the USA with the same ratio. As of July 2008 the United States Government would require, 30,405,972 civil servants. Almost the population of Canada
We need to learn from others
We need to learn from others mistakes. We are not big enough with any resources to go independent. Anyone who thinks we should go independent should go live in the USA for three months followed by living in the UK for three months and then tell me we have all the skills, tools, money, and resources to go independent. Say goodbye to banking without the UK laws supporting us. I've been here 14 years, married to a Caymanian and we will be the first to leave!!
Goodbye!
Goodbye!
Don't think we are ready till
Don't think we are ready till we get rid of the "old boy's club". The younger MLA's just need to grow some ....... They can run the country the right way.
Sorry to appear negative, but
Sorry to appear negative, but while the concept of independence is indeed a temtping one, with the current (dire) financial situation Cayman finds itself in - independence is not a realistic option. Anyone opting for independence needs money in their pockets and an effective way of generating sustainable income flow... and we all know we dont have that here!
A country without any
A country without any produce, everything rely on import. I didn't see how to be independent!!! Any country stop provide the foods could kill the people living here...
And your point? That the UK
And your point? That the UK would come to our rescue/aid? Just like after hurricane Ivan. The phrase "Soon Come" rings true.
The ruling Labour Party of
The ruling Labour Party of the UK would love the Cayman Islands to have independence as soon as possible. Not because it is right, or the Caymanian people are capable, but solely to quieten their self-righteous guilt they feel about this last vestige of empire. Their own twisted political ideology will overrule any responsibility they have for good governance, and development of the Cayman Islands. Thankfully, they will be gone soon (possibly forever), but the likely replacements, the Conservative Party, may not be much better. I just wonder if there has been any contact with the potential new government ministers to put Cayman’s case. Somehow, I doubt it.
I know quite a few members of
I know quite a few members of the next UK government personally. But I cannot pitch in to help Cayman's case because as an expat I have been told to stay out of local politics.
To the poster of "I know
To the poster of "I know quite a few members of the next UK government..". It was probably was tongue in cheek, but just in case you were factual and serious: if you will not help us, please ensure that you also stay out of local politics when you could hurt us by your own actions nor aid those who would seek to harm us.
To All: We do need to strenghten our civic institutions whether or not we are preparing for eventual independence. Its an important and necessary defense against sliding into a banana republic (but not the only one).
Some limited progress has been made in specific areas, FOI being a prime example. Progress to date has been painly slow and limited. It's challenging to make this sort of nation building relevant to people who alternate between "chasing after the Jones's" and struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table (for those who like to quote famous people: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs). I am one of those and I also realise that it is an easy way to manipulate us into losing sight of what is really important. As a result I am determined to become more financially independent, to save a minimum of 10%; to not just work hard, but to work smarter and always be learning amd getting new certifications to prove that I am learning. Finally,to always seek the best possible deal for myself and others without doing anything illegal, immoral or unethical.
I was just mentioning to an
I was just mentioning to an MP friend over summer the crazy religious references in the impliedly homophobic Constitution. He was shocked.
Anyone would be shocked if
Anyone would be shocked if they expect that Cayman will be like the UK, in all aspects!
We are a Christian society and that is ingrained in our mores and must be therefore placed in our Constitution, otherwise we would be like everywhere else without any differentiation.
People came here because of our culture, hence we have tourism.
"People came here because of
"People came here because of our culture"
No they didn't - in fact they probably could have cared less about your culture. They came here cause of the weather, diving, and beaches. Then came the "funds" and business.
Crime and lack of attractions outside of the beach are causing a downturn in tourism and the CIG's methods of generating revenue are causing harm to business.
Your homophobia and hiding behind religion won't help.
I keep hearing about the
I keep hearing about the "christian" society. Have you been anywhere else besides Cayman?
You Have culture? There is still Tourism? Are you THAT blind?
Has anyone pointed out that
Has anyone pointed out that adultery, coveting others' property and not working hard six days a week all feature on the commandments? Not sure how they fit in with the concept of this particular "christian" community. . . .
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