Still no OK for $650M budget

| 22/08/2012

Budget-Crisis-250px.jpg(CNS): Although the premier has now begun the legislative process in order to pass the 2012/13 budget, the UK has still not given the official nod for the government’s annual spending plans. In a more than three hour presentation on Monday evening the premier revealed that his government hoped to collect almost $650 million in revenue and would be spending more than $567 million when the cost of servicing the country’s debt was taken into account. The premier denied on Tuesday that delivering the budget without the FCO’s approval was unconstitutional and said he believed that the approval would be forthcoming.

The budget, which he titled “Responsible Government in Challenging Times”, came two months late and followed a majorfiscal crisis that had the entire country engaged in increasingly acrimonious debate. With the UK’s approval now a key feature in the Cayman Islands budget, McKeeva Bush described the last few months as “arduous, vexing, hurtful and sometimes demeaning” as he remonstrated against the mother country’s detailed interference withthe current UDP administration’s final annual spending plan.

“There have been many challenges in my life but this has been the biggest,” Bush said to the Legislative Assembly before he began his official presentation. “There have been times when I thought I would give up the fight. It is not easy for any man to be pushed around and it’s not easy for anyone who was involved in this Legislative Assembly even for four years, much less to be elected for seven terms as I have been.

“It’s not easy after forty 40 years of having our own say in our budget to be now told when I should move and when I should sit down. Some are proud of this day; I know I am not.  It hurts to the core,” the premier added.

Protesting the pressure being applied and complaining about his battle with the Foreign and Commonwealth advisor who had been persistent with his requests for cuts to government’s operational expenses, he accused the UK official of moving the goalposts during the process.

“Every time they set a goal for us to meet, we would get there and then they shifted it. From the very first day that he came he asked for more and kept going right up until Friday,” Bush said of the FCO economic expert sent to work with the Cayman government to produce the budget.

“Government has not in any way been deficient in preparation of this budget; it was same way as previous years. What distinguished this year is the level of detail that the FCO wanted. Every time I sent them a bundle of papers they wanted more papers,” he added as he explained why no budget documents had been produced.

Although the Foreign and Commonwealth minister with responsibility for the territories, Henry Bellingham, had still not given his formal approval when the budget was delivered, the premier said there was every indication that it would be. He said that as government’s operating expenses, excluding debt financing, had been reduced to $531 million — only $3 million over the target set by the economic adviser — he had been given every indication that this would finally be acceptable to the UK and had decided to proceed with his presentation in order to complete the legislative process before 31 August when the interim stop-gap budget expires.

During the presentation he revealed that government was forecast to have an operating surplus at the end of the forthcoming fiscal year of almost $82 million. This, he explained, would come not only from major operating cost cuts but from some 24 new revenue raising measures developed in consultation with the private sector.

Government was forecast to collect $649.5 million as a result of these enhanced and additional revenue streams, mostly focused on the private sector, he said. Increases in fees charged to directors under the Companies Law would raise an extra $21.3 million, fees on exempted limited partnerships would generate a further $10 million, new fees on professional directors would bring in another $10 million and $9.4 million would come from an increase in bank and trust fees.

Meanwhile work permit increases would generate $6.3 million extra and annual registration fees for exempt companies would raise $5.2 million. More cash was also expected from duty on cigarettes and alcohol, tourist accommodation and departure taxes, stamp duty and insurance policy fees, master fund registration fees, company registry fees and CIMA  transaction fee, as well as new traffic fees and leisure boat fees.

Total operating expenditure, he said, was forecast at $567 million when interest payments were included. With the help of recommendations for cuts from the Expenditure Review Committee, a moratorium on recruitment, a cut in consumables and other expenses, the roll back of the 3.2% on civil service pay and what the premier termed "fiscal prudence", he said savings had been made in operational costs that would meet with the UK’s demands.

See the official budget speech below, which is only part of the presentation made by the premier on Monday evening, and the Appropriation’s bill.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    What is going on with the criminal investigations!

    • SSM345 says:

      They have a lot of investigating to do  before they press charges.

      When you are charged with a crime, you have to appear before the courts within 6 months or the charges are thrown out.

      What i think they ar doing is going wayyyyyyyyyy back in time, i.e. from First Cayman Bank and working forward.;

      You will probably then find that when he is charged, the count goes from 3 to 20+ charges.

  2. Whodatis says:

    Almost choked on my crumpets as I read the "Brit power" rants below!

    Some of "these people" are so delusional.

    However, I appreciate times like these as the true nature of folks rises to the surface for all to see. The amount of support these outlandish comments receive is very telling.

    • Anonymous says:

      So is the fact that yours provoke derision and anger, you and your minority kind are exactly why expats and Caymanians formed an alliance and will bring change to this failing land. Personally, I think yours views need to be heard, because no one would ever believe such non sensical garbage if it wasn't actually in print. The Union flag fly's strong over Cayman, live with it or please feel free to leave.

      Ps: feel free to choke on your crumpets at any time. 

    • Logician says:

      I wonder:

      1. The majority of posters on Whodatis have at times commented that he is delusional.

      2. Whodatis is calling someone delusional.

      3. If the delusional believe something to be delusional does that increase the prospects of it having an element of truth?

    • You're So Vain says:

      “Brit power”? Cayman is a British Dependant Territory.

      Despite your dislike and ignorance for and of the UK you do know this, right?

      Delusion is most of what you post.

      Try dipping those crumpets in some nice hot tea, they will be easier for you to swallow much like the humble pie you should try eating thrice daily.

    • Lord Fontelroy says:

      Now you know how everyone else feels reading your posts.

    • Pitt the Even Younger says:

      Is it enough to make you hand back your British passport, Whodatis?

    • Whodatis says:

      (I actually forgot that I posted in this story.)

      Apparently the feelings of a few were hurt.

      Nonetheless, some of the earlier comments were quite comical and brazen – especially in light of the topic at hand and the failed status of the British economy.

      The only retort to that fact has to be an emotional one because truth is truth.

      Clearly our Premier is a blundering donkey, however the "OxBridge" crew has fantastically failed at managing Britain's affairs – perhaps we ought to lend out Big Mac to you guys as a consultant?

      My point is – kindly stop insulting yourselves and basic intelligence by way of criticising Cayman's economic standing whilst comparing to the UK's.

      The figures simply do not support such tactics.

      (I look forward to the personal insults, thumbs downs and emotional replies …  after all – what else could you say?)

      P.S. As for the "Cayman is British" mantra – clearly that is the case. However, there has not been amajority embrace of such sentiments by Caymanian people since the generation of my parents and beyond.

      Younger Caymanians see the situation for what it is and understand that there are certain benefits to having the union jack on the flag – and quite sadly, it is to appease the outdated fears within the hearts and minds of outdated people throughout the world.

      Past glory and tired rhetoric still holds some stock in the world apparently, and the UK is milking it for all they can – and yes, we are milking the UK as well.

      After all, it is because of the former "colonies" that Britain and the rest of Europe rose out of the plagued, destitute, and disease-infested Dark Ages (don't vex now – it is simple history) to achieve the position of economic prowess that they once possessed – not that we were ever acknowledged for the fact. In fact, judging by the way the overwhelming majority of former colonies were treated by Britain in the aftermath, one could assert that they were instead punished for that role. But oh well – we're still here.

      Anyway, I am finished with speaking unallowed truths for this evening.

      To all a pleasant night.

      🙂

      • Dick Shaughneary says:

        It is "Oxbridge" not "OxBridge" and in the context of your posting there was no need to put the word in quotation marks. 

        • Whodatis says:

          Thanks for that clarification, Dick.

          Am I to assume that apart from that complaint we are in agreement?

           

          • Dick Shaughneary says:

            I would not assume that.  I once heard at a terrible business lecture that "assume" made "an ass out of u (sic) and me" but in this case, any assumption would probably only so reflect upon you.  I have no views on anything other than spelling, grammar and punctuation. 

        • Frosty the Snowballs says:

          Tad early Dick, no?  It's nice to see you back though.  What say you on the substantive issues facing the Islands?  It would be nice to hear from our favorite cunning linguist about these weighty matters of state. 

      • Anonymous says:

        Whodatis, I seldom agree with your views and the tone of your posts generally grates on my nerves, but you've got a good point with this one.  

         

        I wonder when we will realize that this tit for tat between ourselves is pointless and only serves to make a solution to Cayman's current difficulties more difficult to find.

      • Anonymous says:

        Hooray, Whodumbis has finally come out from under his stone.

        Just so that we are all clear, the Dark Ages were post Roman occupation, (AD 43 to AD 410) and are acknowledged to have ceased around the Norman Invasion of England in 1066. England herself didn't formally set out on a period of colonisation until the late 16th century and the British Empire wasn't an accepted power until the union of England and Scotland in 1707. So you see, you've already made a complete fool of yourself with misquoting basic British history, you're already 700 years out on your pathetic musings.

        In regard to the British economy, well it's the same old story with you. It just so happens that the jobless figures are now down below 8%, mortgage lending is up and thebasic economy is holding its own. Of course things could be better, we don't want to have to borrow huge sums money to meet our obligations, but at least we have the means and the mechanisms to borrow, invest and pay back. Its not a sin or bad policy to borrow, all country's do it, its how you plan to pay it back that's important.

        We also have the Bank of England which can print money to plough back into the economy for infrastructure, housing and financing, (its called quantitive easing, look it up). Yes, the Euro debacle is holding us back and as Europe is our largest trading bloc, we are of course suffering the fall out. But, if you were to crawl out from under your stone a little more often and travel the world, you would see that Britain isn't in bad shape considering the enormity of the global recession. Anyway, enough of money, to compare Cayman with the UK is just plain stupidity, you neither have the capability, the means or the productivity to indulge in anything like the same economics. However, you could implement some basics that would give you a credible start, like a payroll tax for all, free healthcare for all, national pension for all, a smaller Civil Service, out sourcing of government departments to the private sector and opening up your markets to outside competition. Oh yes and you change your whole attitude towards entitlement and get off the gravy train.

        Whilst we're on the subject of history and economics, historically, what has Cayman ever produced that could be held up as colonial treasure? Jamaica has sugar, rum, coffee and fruit production, what exactly do you need thanking for, rum cake, pepper jelly? Remember, your founding and forefathers hunted turtles to feed passing ships of all nationalities. Even then you saw a way of exploiting a resource to destruction.

        African slavery wasn't a British invention, it had been going on for centuries with inter tribal wars and the arab slave traders most prolific. Who do you think rounded up all those men, women and children and who do you think prospered? Yes, other Africans and Arabs, they just saw a new market in the colonial powers and if you understand world history, they still do. 

        You obviously have a huge chip on your shoulder and I'm not going to indulge in historical events going back centuries. Slavery was a terrible thing, (it was the British who first abolished it) but the world as we know it was formed and became prosperous in part to its existance. That doesn't make it right, but it is where we are. And really, do you honestly think that Cayman's prosperity was built on the backs of slaves anyway, where's the evidence?

        Where would you be now, in a slum in Europe, starving in Africa, dying in Asia, no you're not, you're living on a beautiful Caribbean island that has seen outstanding prosperity and high standards of living. How do you think that came about?

        You have no idea how former colonies were treated, most were self governing and most sins were committed on them by their own people, as they still are.

        As a nation, Britain can hold its head high, we don't need to apologise and neither will we. If every historical event rested on our shoulders as that large chip does with you, then life would never evolve. Or perhaps we should sue the Romans, Vikings, Saxons and the Normans, or closer still, have no dealings with the Germans, Italians or Japanese all of which invoked varying forms of slavery. Get over it, get a life and move on. 

        So Whodumbis, get your facts straight before spouting your racist and xenophobic trash. Try reading quality history publications rather than internet rubbish that fits your complex envy and feeds your over sized chip. If you are truly a decendent of slaves, you should know better than to discriminate or hold openly prejudicial views, to do so defeats your own argument and emasculates your own people and history.

        Ah, that's better, to a pleasant day. :)))

         

        • Whodatis says:

          What I find most amusing about your post is that you actually believe you are teaching me something here.

          The overwhelming Anglo/Euro-centrist tone and foundation of your mindset is enough to let me know it is pointless to engage in a debate with you.

          By the way, it were the Brits below that embarked upon the issues of the Union Jack, us being merely a BOT, and this being "British territory". To raise these issues means an inherent reference to certain periods in time. However, you have committed the classic a-hole move oflabelling another as having "a chip on the shoulder". Do Brits have a special or exclusive license to refer to such things that others are not privy to?

          As for modern times – the UK is an en economic blackhole. The Cayman Islands is booming and vibrant (even in the midst of this greatest ever global recession) and can easily be on track within 2-3 years. Furthermore, this is the first time we have ever experienced a deficit.

          Compared to global standards these facts are outstanding. There is nothing more to be said.

          P.S. I wonder what in my post triggered such an elaborate rant? Very disturbing. TGIF eh? I suggest you hit a happy hour … hard!

          (Actually – I am pretty sure it was the "milking" comment. I guess it would sting a bit – but hey, such is life.)

          • Anonymous says:

            I'd say that you've been completely bounced on, that'll teach you to take on intelligent, educated and eloquent people. You increasingly lose credibility every time you write that trash you call fact and history, it is so obviously biased and inaccurate.

      • Anonymous says:

        Please read BBC NEWS, UK NEWS PAGE, 24th August 2012. Story titled 'RECESSION NOT AS DEEP AS ORIGINALLY THOUGHT'. Oops, makes a bit of a nonsense of your opinion, HA, HA HA !!!

  3. Anonymous says:

    “It’s better to decide quickly on an imperfect plan than to roll out a perfect plan when it’s too late” (D.H. Freedman).

    • Anonymous also says:

      It is best to have a well thought out perfect plan, prepared well ahead of time and in place on time or ahead of time. (Me)

  4. Anonymous says:

    Cayman has become a financial disaster zone due to the shocking spending practices of the government, past and present.  The UK has ordered them to cut spending by at least $20m, and instead the premier hurls abuse at the crown's official representative and presents an unuathorised budget that only ensures the party will continue for him and his cronies. This government is acting without regard for sustainability and the long term prosperity of the nation.

    This is a very bad situation and I would be surprised if the FCO will be disregarded in such an arrogant fashion, especially since it is only trying to curb McKeeva's worst excesses for the benefit of the Cayman Islands.

    I think Hurricane Bellingham is on the horizon

     

  5. Anonymous says:

    More like challenging times by irresponsible government!

  6. Anonymous says:

    Personal Emoluments for the Financial Secretary.

    In the 2011/2012 budget it was $179,535

    http://www.bmu.gov.ky/_files/file_118.pdf

    In this budget it is $185,882

    What did the Financial Secretary do to deserve a raise?

  7. Anonymous says:

    Mr. Premier,

    You complain that the FCO keeps moving the goal post. What do you expect if you keep kicking the ball away from the post. The FCO is only trying to help you by moving the post in the direction you are kicking the ball.

    You need to kick the ball toward the goal post, and if the goalkeeper blocks it from entering then you will understand what is happening.

  8. Anonymous says:

    "Responsible Government in Challenging times". Definitely not from here, must be borrowed from somewhere else .

    Poor Mac, ah diddums, got all hurt when everyone saw what he was doing. But did not stop him doing it, so now he just hurting the nation. Caymanians, get out and stop this man…please…and do it now..he can do a lot more damage to your country if you leave him another 6 months..

  9. Anonymous says:

    Please can we have some more information on why snakes and frogs are the instruments of the devil (per below)?

    • Anonymous says:

      Exodus 7 : This pharoah (Satan) gets his sorcerers to imitate God's miracles: 'turns a staff onto a snake,  produces a plague of frogs, and turns water into blood.

      Also Revelation 16:13: The false prophet: where evil spirits that look like frogs come out of the mouth of a dragon (snake).

      People that believe this and can cite Chapter and Verse live amongst us. Go figure.

       

      • Anonymous says:

        See, told you so.

      • Anonymous says:

        Snakes n' Frogs also have something to do with Satan's 666 which is in imitation of God's Lucky number 777 but we may need a Hebrew scholar to interpret this for us. 

        • Anonymous says:

          God has a lucky number?   Why does God have a lucky number?

          • Anonymous says:

            Apparently the number represents Yahshua the Messia, and there is a whole bunch of supporting evidence in the Bible: Judges 16: 13-19, Proverbs 9:1 and so on…

            • Anonymous says:

              Why doesn't it play every Sunday in the Honduras lottery if it's so lucky?

            • Satanist Blogger says:

              Using the Bible as"evidence" to support something from the Bible has a certain circularity does it not?

          • Anonymous says:

            He needs some luck, have you seen Bush's God squad?

          • Anonymous says:

            I really am curious as to why this question received the lone thumbs down.  Are questions bad?  

        • Satanist Blogger says:

          But isn't 616 the number of the beast?  That is what we use at our sessions.

    • Anonymous says:

      Trust me, I've tried to find out, but when you're dealing with a mindset that appears to accept anything and everything that Bush and his god squad tell them, who knows why?

      At a guess I'd say it was something to do with plagues and serpents, but don't quote me ask those who have the imaginary friends.

    • Basher says:

      Because it is all made up, and that bit of fiction stuck.

  10. Anonymous says:

    A fool and OUR money are soon parted….

  11. Anonymous says:

    I've been giving this alot of thought and the only scenario that works for this demogogue is to rig the election in May.  Cayman is now defacto independent and I don't see where thev UK has any interest in this particular liability.

    • Anonymous says:

      As a UK citizen and tax payer, I want to know why these idiots are being allowed to be disrespectful and bring the Crown into disrepute by the actions of its ministers of state, especially the premier. This rock is a British Overseas Territory, (note the word British) and as such should be accountable to the FCO and the Crown. It is not an independent country, 'Caymanians' are infact BOT citizens and hold BOT passports, (I'd bet that a large percentage are dual passport holders anyway, dilluting the pool even further).

      The UK tax payer ploughs billions into the FCO and BOT internal/external security and worldwide diplomatic requirements. It is no longer acceptable for the hardworking UK tax payer to keep proping up failed whanabes around the world. Either someone at the FCO grow a pair and take back control from these morons or let them go their own way and sink without a trace, but for heavens sake do something.

      • Johnny English says:

        As a 47th generation Brit, I agree.  These people do not know how lucky they are to have that little flag in the corner of their flag.  Either they should know their place and do as they are told from London or go independent.  I am sick and tired of their attitude of utter discrimination against all other nationailities, if you can even call Caymanian a nationality.  That is not the British way in the 21st century.  This "have their cake and eat it" view of the world has to come to an end.  All this crap because they don't want to pay income tax.

        • anonymous says:

          Perhaps Your Lardship you should go goback and eat your crupmpets

          • Anonymous says:

            Perhaps you should get an education and learn to spell simple words like CRUMPETS.

      • Another UK Tax Payer says:

        Hear, hear.  I am with you there and intend to do something about it.

      • Anonymous says:

        Mr. UK tax payer, since you are closer to Her Majesty and the FCO please give them a message for me.  Tell them to please come get their Governor because he is down here doing nothing for us.  Tomorrow when I have more time I will tell you exactly how much your government is spending/ has spent on us and compare it to the amount that your people has gain over here.  And by the way when they come to pick up the Governor please ask them to collect the UDP government and their hangers on and drop them off on which ever isolated islands that the Brits claim as theirs (Chagos maybe)

        • Truth says:

          Right.  Your Caymanian and so is Bush so its got to be the Queens fault right?  We get it.  I am one to think the UK should just let Caymanians go ahead and self fail.  Much easier than trying to save them from themselves.  And takeing the blame as usual.  My own personal opinion is for the UK to give in and stand by for the rescue.  I know the longer they wait the bigger the damage and the longer it will last but the easier it will be to do what needs to be done.

        • Anonymous says:

           Hey Mr Isolationist, news flash, he's your Governor not ours. You see, this is how it works, the Governor works on behalf of the UK Government and the Crown to ensure the rule of law and good governence in her overseas territories. And that's because the Union Flag is in the corner of the Cayman flag and fly's supremely above it when flown together. Are you following, I know, its a bit complicated isn't it, but try and keep up? So, as night follows day that means that this BRITISH OVERSEAS TERRITORY is the property of the Crown, ie: the UK taxpayer. And as BOT citizens, you are regarded as loyal subjects of the Crown and afforded residential rights by the UK Government in the form of a BOT citizens passport. Of course if you don't see yourselves as loyal subjects then please feel free to hand over your passport and all of the rights enshrined with it and leave. As for this retarded comment, 'compare it to the amount that your people has gain over here', lets not spend too long on this, or do you need more time to catch up?

          Presumably you mean by 'my people' those experts in banking, commercial and criminal law, accountancy and finance, medicine, teaching, policing, construction and the multitude of other service and hospitalty professionals that have made this place the success it once was. The UK and her people have enabled this sparsely populated rock to become one of the worlds leading financial centres within 50 years, left to you it would still be an insect blighted stop off to the America's and if you carry on the way you're going, it maybe again some day. Although, since you killed all the turtles there's no point stopping now, oh well moving on.

          'My people', supported by other hard working nationalities, have brought wealth, security and huge amounts of expertise to these islands, to say nothing of the investments in property and local business. And all this enables you and your ingrate kind to sit back on your porch and take, take, take from a society in which you have no legitimate stake. In the UK that's known asscrounging and its socially unacceptable, on Cayman its known as entitlement and its not only acceptable but positively encouraged by many, including your leaders.

          Of course, I may be completely wrong and you are merely referring to the huge amounts of valuable assets that my people have stripped from OUR island. No, not precious metals or minerals, not diamonds or oil, not even punitive taxes to fill the UK coffers,no you obviously mean the tons of rum cake, sea salt and pepper jelly that find their way back home to the dining tables of the UK. Surely a disgraceful abuse of the islands hospitality!!!

           

        • Anonymous says:

          Oh yes and while I'm still awake. Why in gods name should the UK taxpayer spend one penny on you or YOUR failed economy, surely you're all smart enough to run a small island the size of a very small and similarly populated town in the UK?

          After all, you have managed to fill all of the government portfolios with statesmen like experts who lean on their huge, bright as a button civil service for advice. You're all natural bankers, lawyers and financial experts with higher than average IQ's for the size of population, aren't you?

          Surely you don't need the UK taxpayer to bail you out? But wait, according to immigration rules they can't because that can only be work for a Caymanian, ooops!!!

          Oh the ingominy of it, having to admit that you really aren't up to the job after all and that Caymankind is just an illusion for self gratification.

          And finally, really like the old standby throw away comment involving the Chagos Islands. Get a new record, that ones well and trully scratched. As for your politicians, you can keep all of them, we have enough helpers at the Olympic park, thanks.

      • Anonymous says:

        To UK Citizen and Tax payer

        FYI………………………   Neither the UK TAX PAYERS nor the UK GOVT have EVER CONTRIBUTED FINANCIALLY TO THE ECONOMY OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS.

         WE HAVE DONE SO INDEPENDENTLY FOR ALL THESE YEARS. 

        Please get your information correct!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        • ????? says:

          Just a few questions:

          1. So where did Cayman borrow the money from for the debt they now owe?

          2. And when its convenient Caymanians sure wip out that British Passport and take advantage of freely having access to the rest of the world with it right?

          3. And if your dollar were not linked to the British pound, do you think it would still have its value?

          Think before you speak!

          • Anonymous says:

            Thinking does not play in the minds of Mac's blind followers, they do just that, follow.

        • Anonymous says:

          I like the use of upper case, very original and so expressive.

          Listen muppet, I said that the UK taxpayer funds the FCO and through it the administration of the BOT's, their security and diplomatic affairs. It is true that you have managed to survive on the wave of success that was put in place by the UK many years since. However, like your blinkered comment, you have succeeded in ignoring the message and provoking the derision of the world by your inept and corrupt behaviour.

          Your proud claim is laudable but obviously inaccurate. And really, do you want to admit that despite your fierce independence 'FOR ALL THESE YEARS', you have successfully wasted everything you have and then voted in an uneducated clown as your representative face to the world.

          Although it may be true that direct financial assistance isn't the norm, finance agreements do exist between the UK and Cayman with preferential payment plans to ensure independence.

          So the lesson here is that your independent economy and possibly your society is in free fall due to its refusal to listen and absorb the meaning behind the message. Now do you understand?

      • Anonymous says:

        With you most of the way but you miss one aspect. Thousands of Caymanians are neither British nor British Overseas Territories Citizens.

        • Anonymous says:

          Hence the dual passport reference. It is highly likely that a huge number of immigrants from countries around the world have indeed settled here, perhaps for a couple of generations, but have not surrendered their original passport or registered for a new one here on Cayman. That will only happen if it becomes compulsory for all full time 'Caymanian' citizens to hold a 'local' or BOTC passport.

          To travel as a 'Caymanian' or receive rights bestowed as a BOTC they must hold a BOTC passport. Also, if they are permenent residents, regardless of passport, they are residents under the Crown and are subject to the laws herein. 'Caymanian' is not a nationality in the true sense of the meaning, it is an identification of origin as the peoples of the Cayman Islands are British Citizens as defined in the BOT Act. This is not an independent country so therefore cannot hold a national status without deferring to the UK.

          I suppose to be a true 'Caymanian' you would have to be fully naturalised and hold a BOTC passport, not just be a resident, hold status or own property. However, I'm with you in regard to the generalisation of the term 'Caymanian' as I think that anyone who makes their life here, invests in property and is of good character and citizenship, should be able to call themselves Caymanian. But good luck with that one.

          • Anonymous says:

            On top f that if  all "true" Caymanians went back intheri family trees, they would all see that their greta great great grandparents were most likely sailors from the UK.

            I wonder where the word  Ebanks comes from, and Smith, and Bush and McLaughlin….hmmmmm…soomeone in the family is or was from the UK.

    • Anonymous says:

      I'm poster 5:15.  Alot of thumbs down.  I would like nothing more than for this clown to be gone.  I'm just thinking that he's thinking, "This is what I see happening."  I don't think it would be that difficult to rig an election if you paid off the right people.

    • Anonymous says:

      This is 5:15 again just continuing my thought to its obvious conclusion.  If an election can be bought for the price of a household appliance, what do you think will happen if real money is involved with the stakes being so high?

  12. Anonymous says:

    The biggest challenge of his life is that he is for once being held accountable……keep the pressure on please FCO…..make this a challenge he wont soon forget.  Enjoy your last term Dumba$$.

  13. Arf my Arfing Arfer says:

    Flipping amazing that this guy still manages to puff himself up and pretend he's really a Premier of a nation.  The only things in Cayman benefiting from his career choices are the plants the didn't xxxx up due to being Premier instead of a gardener.  Somehow that doesn't help much.  What a cluster.

  14. Anonymous says:

    “There have been times when I thought I would give up the fight. "  

    Please give it up and go away forever.

  15. Dred says:

    Let me help you on something because its possible you are getting the wrong message from this.

    NO NEWS IS NOT ALWAYS GOOD NEWS.

    They are probably trying to figure out if you are mentally fit to hold office. I mean I don't know and hell I am here. Or maybe they are wondering should they rain down the charges on you now they been holding HOPING AND PRAYING you couldmake it to the next elections.

    The fact that you are throwing bandaids on your budget each time does not impress the FCO.

    The things you are failing to do are:

    1) Let the CSknow that due to their insistence on not accepting the health/pension initiative you will be forced to do as the private sector has insisted and start to cut the CS and while you will try to move them you are not guaranateeing this. Each year youwill have to move out 250 CS for the next 5 years thanks to their lack of understanding about the current state of affairs.

    2) Gambling – You need to stop the pandering to the Churchs. There needs to be separation of church and state. Cayman needs new revenue measures and I believe what you should do is to lauch a committee to review the matter in terms of income potential and feasibility. Find out of the current hotels if any would consider renovating to offer and check with the major players in teh casino business to see if Casinos were allowed would they consider coming. Get some numbers so the people of the Cayman Islands can truly see what is on the table. Then once it is done then lets do a referendum for it.

    3) Turtle Farm – It is high time we realise that this is a FAILURE. We need to either sell it or give it away. When you have something that cost you less to give it away and pay the debt you should know you have a problem.

    4) Cayman Airways – I would never say get rid of CAL BUT I will say its high time we do something to turn them around. CAL needs to at the very least break even and we need to analyze teh way we are running CAL if its the way it should be done. Questions such as Would lowering prices work out better for CAL and the CIG? Lower fairs could mean more tickets and fuller flights which may wash out with CAL but because each ticket has tax on it might be better for CIG as a whole. What's happening with the old CAL office? Can it be fixed up and sold as it is a good location for businesses at airport such as car rental?

    Those are a few things that they NEED to do.

    • Anonymous says:

      On the old CAL building it is not own by CAL that is owned by the Airport Authority. CAL only use to rent it.

    • Sad to say says:

      Your comments on CAL are heartfelt but miss the fact that an expert (Lufthansa) had already been hired to comment on what needed to be done, and their recommendations have been completely ignored.  Now I have prior experience with Lufthansa's consulting arm and would not say that i would always view their views as being cutting edge on the areas of tactical decision the basics of airline economics and the trade off between commercial and strategic decisions, and how you price and account for those, are really quite straight forward.  To simply ignore their findings and recommendations is breathtaking.

       

       An old colleague of mine once said (to a considerably larger airline!) that there were two reasons for funding a state owned airline beyond any consideration of strategic issues such as guaranteeing airlift of seatprice (all of which can be done by contract with other airlines) – 1) national pride and 2) opportunities for free flights and procurement corruption.   

  16. SKEPTICAL says:

    Just given up on trying to read the first twenty odd pages of last night’s waffle. Suddenly struck me that in detailing the $10 million deficit for 2011/2012, there was no mention, AT THE LEAST, of the $2 million in damages paid to GLF after the cruise ship dock fiasco – let alone any of the other odd millions lost or wasted in consultancy fees, or subsidies to the Turtle Farm, Cayman Airways, etc.. Major international companies announcing unexpected financial losses will always jump on the opportunity to say that $X million of the loss represented a ” One Off ” charge to cover the cost of writing off an overvalued asset, or whatever.. Cayman is effectively. “CAYMAN INC. ” , and certainly should be run in exactly the same way as a company – so why didn’t bush identify some of the funds lost in consequence of his personal incompetence.

    • SKEPTICAL says:

      Presumably the $6 million owed to government by Michael Ryan is included in ” ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ” on their Balance Sheet – OR, there is an equivalent amount for which provision has been made as a potential ” BAD DEBT ” . Sorry – how silly of me – I was thinking of people who maintain proper Books of Account…………….

    • Anonymous says:

      That was in the 2011-2012 fiscal year. We are talking about 2012-2013 now.

      • Hawkeye says:

        Sorry don’t get your point – the deficit is for the year 2011 – 2012. We couldn’t know what the deficit will be for 2012-2013.

  17. madazhell says:

    he believed that the approval would be forthcoming…

     

    MOM: "Timmy the stove is hot, don't touch it."

    TIMMY: *sticks his hand out*

    MOM: "Timmy, I said the stove is hot, you will get burned."

    TIMMY: *stick his hand out further and touches the stove*

    TIMMY: "BOO HOO HOO, Mommy! I got burned!"

    MOM: "Yes, Timmy, I told you the stove was hot, now get you dumbass over here so I can have a look at your burn."

     

    Yep, something is forthcoming alright and I bet it's not approval.

    • Anonymous says:

      Hi madazhell, I wonder what your peers, relatives and  friends are saying about you? why are you all glorifying the UK  for their unreasonable stance on approving OUR ( CAYMAN ISLANDS ) budget. The afore mentioned are the ones needing these salary approved so they can continue with their lives. I wonder iof you all really know what you are saying.  

      • NSer says:

        Hello Anonynous.

        I wonder what your peers, relatives and friends would say about you (if you stated your true identity) for being stupid enough to blame the UK for taking an 'unreasonable stance' and not being intelligent enough to see that in taking this stance the UK are actually trying to save us from spiralling into a debt we cannot afford to repay.  The afore-mentioned are the ones who will suffer the most if Bush is not stopped from this foolishness.  They can see it, even if you don't.  You and those who think like you are now just a very small element of Cayman's population.  Most people have woken up and can clearly smell the coffee.  Its time for change.  Its time our politicians were held accountable and were more responsible with our money.  If they can't manage to do that then thank God the UK are trying to do it instead.

      • YOU says:

        OUR budget isn't properly before the legislature, since Mac FAILED to make a functioning budget ON TIME and get it APPROVED as required, because he is a FAILURE at all these sorts of things.  What WE are saying about YOU is that YOU want to let Mac destroy these islands because YOU want money.  How very shameful.  People like you explain wholly why business are uprooting and abandoning Cayman. 

      • Anonymous says:

        Actually, the Cayman Islands are jointly ours, the UK taxpayer and nation. You are actually tenants and custodians of these islands on behalf of the UK. If you don't believe me, take a look at the Cayman flag, it has a Union Flag in the corner. The Union flag is always supreme and flown above the Cayman flag when flown together. You will also note that you have Her Majesty's representative in the form of a UK Governor and a UK Commissioner of Police and your so called premier reports to a mere minister of state back in the UK, shall we go on?

        Your problems come from the fact that you have been given far too much control over your own destiny by the FCO and as a consequence you have shown the world that you do not have the capability to do so competantly.

        Worse still, you fail to recognise that this is the case and that it is YOU who needs to recify it and NOT the UK or the FCO. If you want to call yourselves a country and elect officials to work on your behalf, then you have to grow up and accept that you've made a huge mistake and put it right. Mature and legitimate governments do not go about their business by being disrespectful to their Head of State and her government, the Opposition or their own people and they certainly don't ingnore the country's accepted constitution and practices.

        Certainly the FCO have made mistakes as mentioned above, but I trust that they won't make the same mistakes again and keep their special needs cases closer to hand in the future. 

      • madazhell says:

        Hello –

        Sorry for the tardy reply. I was taking a poll and I now have an answer to your question…

         

        I wonder what your peers, relatives and  friends are saying about you?

        I've polled 33.33% of my peers, relatives and friends and the consensus is….

        They like me! They really like me!

         

         

        Now on another note – I have no idea why you fail to realize that we are all in the same boat and we currently have a drunk captain at the wheel.

        The actions and inactions of our current Government will and are negatively affecting every resident (Caymanian & Expat) of these islands. We are all suffering in one way or another.

         

         

         

        • Jack the Ex Patriate says:

          Big difference is that Caymanians deliberately elected Mac to do this to Cayman, while expats had nothing to say about the matter.  On that basis it is the Caymanians who have xxxxed this up for everyone, including us.  Certainly tells us something  doesn't it?

  18. SKEPTICAL says:

    When will bush acknowledge that his current situation is entirely of his own making. Having effectively given a personal undertaking to the FCO to comply with their mandatory three year financial plan – he promptly turned around and threw it in the wastepaper basket. In terms of government infrastructure contracts, he has consistently ignored and overridden required, mandatory, procedures. There seems to be a mentality that, if the laws and and regulations do not suit his particular purpose, they can be ignored. The difference for him this time is that those he now perceives as his enemies, are not easily intimidated by his usual ” Bully Boy ” tactics – and his constant sniping remarks about them are only likely to harden their resolve to bring him to heel.

    • Truth says:

      When will the Caymanian people acknowledge that this current situation is entirely of their own making?  This is what happens everytime when you hire Caymanian over skill and experiance.  The overbloated Civil service is another fine example and also needs a bypass surgery just to survive itself.  HIre Caymanians yes but they should have some skill, training, experiance or something that will get the job done.  Or else you get Caymankind.  Bush's try try again approuch to the budget is just another example of Caymankind trying to fix Caymankind.  It can't!  And its getting painfull just watching him in action (sorry' inaction).

    • Anonymous says:

      The real problem is its not just Bush who can't see the devastating consequences of his incompetance. I spent some time in WB recently and indulged several Bush supporters who just cannot see the problems that are being generated in their name. The whole concept of Bush being wrong is a complete anathema to them and they will not listen to any reasoned argument to the contrary. Some, even now, blame expats and 'foriegn' residents/property owners, some blame the FCO and the UK in general and some even talk of 'outside intervention', like its in any ones interest to undermine a small rock that produces very little and has almost no influence, even within the Caribbean. People seem to have lost sight of the fact that Cayman isn't the centre of anyones universe, except the resident population and that any thing that can be done on Cayman can almost certainly be done elsewhere in the world, often with less restrictions and cost.

      It is true that these individuals are largely uneducated to a recognised degree, have family, church and 'business' connections or are just plain stupid. Listening to most, you wouldn't believe you were in the 21st century, who in their right mind would think that harmless snakes and frogs are instruments of the devil or that 'Caymanians' are exempt from the laws and responsibilities that govern the rest of the population, such as property taxes, health care, mortgage payments and socio-economic support.

      The real problem is that far too many people honestly believe this garbage and are clear in their tiny minds that its everyone elses fault and not their responsibility to put it right. Well wake up because the UK will not sign off on this latest pile of waste paper Bush likes to call a budget and the days of zero personal and collective responsibility are coming to an all too certain end.

      • Anonymous says:

        Since you have opened up that can of worms, I must agree there are shocking beliefs that seem to permeate throughout Cayman, not just West Bay. With regards to primitive fear of various wildlife, that pervades the whole of the West Indies.

        • Anonymous says:

          08/22/2012 – 09:40 you say, "With regards to primitive fear of various wildlife, that pervades the whole of the West Indies.".  That is right pal! So get over it, you are living in the West Indies and whether or not you buy into these "primitive fears" it is a part of the culture so live with it, respect it and stop being so darned patronising and sarcastic or you know what to do! Still confused?  …. Leave .. take your departure .. get it?.

          • Anonymous says:

            Neandertal muppet. Cruelty isn't respected in any civilised society, live with it or you know what you can do, GO TO JAIL moron. Oh yes, West Indian people aren't cruel or primitive, its not culture, its uneducated ignorance. Get it?

      • NSer says:

        I have noticed the same thing with some WBers.  Its unbelievable that they would not be able to see the wood for the trees, and some of these people I would have otherwise considered intelligent…. once!  But it doesn't help when Bush and the rest of his cronies spill poison about expats, foreigners, the UK, the FCO, the Auditor General, etc. around his district.  One Bayer's argument recently was that the MLA for my district is no good because he wouldn't buy the person electrical gadgets he needs for his expensive hobby/lifestyle, XXXX.  Now if that isn't proving the whole vote-buying thing I don't know what does.  This Bayer has plenty of his own money and a well-paid job.  The items he spoke of were not needed to help his family to survive, just to fund his epensive and lavish lifestyle and hobbies.  Me?  I'd rather have a man of principle like Mr Miller who doesn't use money and gifts to sway opinion, just does what he sees as morally right any day.

        • Anonymous says:

          You had me right up until you bought the ever flexible Mr Miller into the conversation.

          Flexible, I hear you ask, well yes. As a NSer of some experience myself I have had occasion to observe Mr Millers undoubted flexibility when the situation serves his own purpose. Take the recent expat tax debacle, flexible Mr Miller was there rightly screaming about the harm that this tax would do to Cayman's reputation. However, I know and have personally witnessed the same flexible Mr Miller making disparaging comments about expats and their place in Cayman society, with all sorts of blame being freely disgorged at local NS venues.

          To me, this puts a little dampner on my enthusiasm for the flexible Mr Miller, especially as he and many other Caymanian notables have married expats themselves.

          Now I don't wish to spoil the party, but until Cayman gets people in power who genuinely believe their own political musings and have the interests of ALL Cayman's residents at heart, then I shall remain cynical of the flexible Mr Miller and his motives.

          • Anonymous says:

            Is that you JOey?

          • Anonymous says:

            I am the poster you responded to and I wholeheartedly agree having witnessed those expat rants myself.  I never used to like Mr Miller because of this, but I honestly believe he has done a lot in recent months/years to open his mind, educate himself and address that and I do believe, even with his limitations, he is the best of the sorry bunch of politicians on offer right now.

            Of course, if only we could have some new blood…

  19. Educate The Public says:

    What a problem.

    • Anonymous says:

      No problem mon, we have a master of disaster at the helm.

    • Anonymous says:

      What an idiot.

      • 10:40 says:

        I am verry happy that the Premier and his party is ignoring all the bloggers.  I am laughing my head off.  Just doing you all the right thing.  No time to answer.  Very good.  They are all blogging over each other like a basket of crabs.  What fun to read.  I bet they have a counter top full with  stress tablets lined up to take every night.  Look at The premier face.  Not even a wrinkle, not a frown, only a big smile, yes because his heart is pure.  Mr Premier they cannot figure you out, they are wonder how you cannot break under such stress from them.  Keep the faith.  No man can stand against you if God is for you.  Keep praying, and keep giving the Church.  God is in controll.

        • Anonymous says:

          Look at the premier face, not a wrinkle, not a frown, only a big smile. Does anyone need anymore evidence that ignorance is bliss? Giving the church what is not his to give is called stealing. And the receiver is just as bad as the thief. Not sure which God is in controll, but  your beloved Mr. Premier is definitely the troll. Why dont you do us all a "verry" big favour and finish laughing your stupid head off?

        • JTB says:

          It's terrifying that people like you have the vote

        • Anonymous says:

          Um…yeah….Okay….got it…alrighty….yep (tiptoes backwards out door)

        • Anonymous says:

          Well he has made sure his future is fine….can't say the same for any other Caymanians.

  20. The lone haranguer rides again! says:

    Hit hard and hope! That is how I play pool, not run a gad damm country !

    • Anonymous says:

      That's how you sink balls. Apparently it's also how you sink a gad damn country.