Government Spending & Saving
Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 08/23/2009 - 12:31
Government's finances are in dire straights. The Civil Service seems to have no intention of shrinking, and hence spending has to come down in other areas. The public can play there part in this by highlighting excessive spending that has already occured (in the hope that it prevents it in the future), and putting forward properly thought out suggestions as to how to save money going forward, big or small.
Although to expect senior Government to read and act on a CNS forum is unrealistic, enough people read it to start what will become hopefully useful discussion. This is the starting point for forum users to expose excessive spending, or suggest cost saving measures
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How come no comments about
How come no comments about the cook housekeeper; another abuse of power.
I have a blog on just this
I have a blog on just this topic, using FOI requests to highlight (and hopefully foster change) on where governnment is spending money without thinking, or where alternative solutions might be considered. Check it out and let me know what you think at www.caymanquestions.blogspot.com where new postings include the Pension Boards new offices (which they will occupy for just over a year) and a $40000 party at the Water Authority paid for by your water bill....
Anon at 10:15. Good luck with
Anon at 10:15.
Good luck with this blogsite-it deserves to succeed. However, I must tell you that the information you present in one section and, especially, what you infer from it, is significantly inaccurate. You will need to be careful of that.
Of course, I am not going to tell you more than that as I too must retain anonymity.
Government needs to be
Government needs to be right-sized to the new global reality. There has been a gigantic destruction of wealth globally and we can not continue to delude ourselves into thinking that everything is going to be the same. We can not spend more than we have, and taxing those who came here to avoid tax will change the fabric of our society permanently. Our islands were built on an absence of tax and there is little reason to live on one of the most hurricane prone islands on Earth, purchasing expired food at the supermarket and living in a cultural vaccuum if we are being taxed. Better to vacation here than live here if that's the case. So suggestions:
1) Government must come out with a strong statement saying that government will not tax income. All our statements and news stories are being indexed by search-engines and anyone contemplating moving here will Google: Cayman . .. and read about our wishy-washy stance on tax.. "we're thinking about taxing you ".. "oh we're in trouble here" .. "we're in dire straits". This type of talk is hard to erase from the Internet and is poison. It will deter good-people: bartenders, mechanics, accountants, pilots, investors, small and large businesspeople, family money etc. from coming here. It will hasten the exodus from these lands as well.
2) Government must be sized to fit reality. If 1/3 of the people leave here, or you have less cruise-ship and fly-in visitors each year, or less income, you simply can not increase the size of government. We can't do it all, and it's unrealistic to continue to spend what we don't have. Government must shrink. The cheifs will have to do more of the clerical work.
3) Casino gambling licenses should be sold $50mm upfront and 20% of gross. Approach the biggies like Steve Wynn and Stanley Ho and Boyd Gaming or Kerzners... avoid the hedge funds who are strictly looking to arbitrage a future sale to one of the first three and ne'er do wells who would sully the island's reputation.
4) Charge a departure fee at the airport .. a bigger fee. It will not impact travel here. Much of which is pre-ordained by the resident/business population.
5) Charge more for vehicle licensing. There are far too many cars on the road here and it is cheaper here to license here than in the US. This is absurd.
6) Add $1.00 per gallon tax to gas. We are paying less for fuel here than in Canada and we're on a tiny island south of Cuba. Gas is too cheap.
The biggest problem in Cayman is the spending. It's hard to fire those who just voted for you, but that's the courageous thing to do.. And if you do it now, memories are short, and by next election you will have a better Country to show for it.
And why not casinos? If the
And why not casinos? If the locals don't want any part of it then make it for expats, tourists and and locals with an entry permit (for those who have a legitimate need to be in the casino).
And it should be more than one, so the consumer has a choice, but they have to be nice. Really nice. Our up-market image requires that.
The meeting was sponsored by
The meeting was sponsored by the Ritz Carlton and Michael Ryan. Let's be productive with our comments and put forth factual suggestions to eliminate waste and excessive spending.
Ritz Carlton Meeting
New today is that Mac is holding a meeting for Government's senior civil servants and industry leaders to discuss the financial crisis. Government is in dire straits financially, so how on earth can they justify holding it at the Ritz Carlton? There are plenty of Government owned venues (Civic Centres, School Halls) which could have been used, yet instead it is deemed appropriate to blow thousands of dollars to hold this as the islands most luxiourious venue.
One rule for the top, one rule for the masses.....
Invitation below was received
Invitation below was received this morning. In a time of financial crisis does Government need to be spending time and money organising a ceremony for a Peace pole? Very symbolic I am sure, but really necessary? (including, no doubt, the cost of refreshments for all attendees).
These sort of events need to be gotten under immediate control. Mind you, when the senior managers feel the need to hold their meeting (as mentioned in the press today) at the Ritz instead of a community facility, that says it all really...business at normal for those at the top, pension suspensions for those at the bottom
You are Cordially Invited to attend a...
Peace Pole Planting Ceremony
organized by The Family Resource Centre of the ECDA in conjunction with the
Freedom Writer’s Summer Film Project Students.
Join us in making history by planting the first Peace Pole in Cayman!
Dart Park
Wednesday, 26th August, 2009
12:00pm-12:30pm
Refreshments provided by
The Post Restaurant.
For more information or to R.S.V.P. to contact either of the following:
miriam.foster@gov.ky
949-0006
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