Mac will be Premier 6 Nov

| 02/10/2009

(CNS): During his throne speech in the Legislative Assembly this morning the governor, Stuart Jack, announced that the Cayman Islands Constitution, with the exception of the Bill of Rights, will come into force on Friday, 6 November. The Bill of Rights will not be implemented until November 2012, with some rights not taking affect until 2013. However, on the so called “Appointed Day”, a formal ceremony at the Legislative Assembly will see the leader of government business transformed into Cayman’s first premier. Amid the pomp the Constitution itself will officially become the country’s highest law.

“I am pleased to announce this historic occasion, which was preceded by considerable public debate and the first Cayman Islands referendum in May,” said the governor in the LA on Friday 2 October. “I encourage continued public involvement and awareness of the changes as the new Constitution is implemented.”The Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009 was approved by the

UK monarch in the Privy Council on 10 June, and was laid before the British parliament on 17 June. Since then, the Cayman Islands government says it has been preparing for it to come into force before the governor’s departure at the end of November. 

Preparations, under the leadership of Chief Secretary Donovan Ebanks, include the merger of the Portfolio of Finance and the Ministry of Financial Services, which will accommodate the new posts of Minister of Finance and Financial Secretary. Preparations also include the amendment of certain laws to make them compatible with the Constitution and preparation for the establishment of several new oversight and advisory bodies. These include the Electoral Boundary Commission, the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, and the National Security Council.

To help guarantee a smooth transition to the Constitution, the Legislative Assembly is expected to deal with the necessary legislative amendments during October. From the Appointed Day, a number of other bodies will follow, namely the Constitutional Commission, the Commission for Standards in Public Life, the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, the Human Rights Commission, and Advisory District Councils.

The governor said that, in carrying out these reforms, every effort would be made to minimise operating costs – for example, through shared facilities and support staff for the new bodies. The new Constitution, including the roles of the various commissions and posts, may be seen at www.constitution.gov.ky

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  1. Anonymous says:
    I don’t know who it was that got sent home but would very much like to know. Can you please enlighten us? 
     
    I’m aware of at least three very qualified Caymanian civil servant, each earning in excess of CI$10,000 per month who are now sitting at home while they continue to collect their salary! 
     
    All this waste while Cayman is struggling to make ends meet!  To add insult to injury, Mac has hired outside ‘consultant/advisor’ at the tune of several hundred of dollars per hour to do their job! 
     
    So fa unna who wan fa kno who Mac sent home,  unna need to file an FOI request fa all dem names.
  2. Anonymous says:

    I agree with poster 12:55 EXCEPT you need and must include all of the Jamaicans who helped put him where he is!!  🙂

    you know the ones… the ones who got "special" status!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Dear Premier designate:

     

    On such a glorious and historical occasion, should we not have a public holiday so that all Caymanians are able to come out and celebrate this occasion? Please give this a special thought.

    • Anonymous says:

      On historic occasions such as this, it is not uncommon for the Maximum Leader to declare a general amnesty for all prisoners as well. This would cut down on the cost of running Northward Prison for the next year, and absolve the Governor (outgoing or incoming) from having to make a decison on what to do with all of the prisoners serving a "life" sentence.

    • Anonymous says:

      A holiday for this day, I know you are totally crazy. They need to make a holiday of prayer for the Lord to help us to make it through under his leadership for the next 4 years.

      • Anonymous says:

        I totally agree with this person.  A holiday to celebrate the mess he has made of this country!   yes may God help us get through these next terrrible four years of hardship for the Caymanian.  Not for those that he favors by giving status grants etc.  The real Caymanians! 

    • Anonymous says:

      I support that thecrowning day be made a public holiday because I think that not only is it important for the almost 2000 Jamaican status grant "Caymanians" (which became 6000) to be able to attend this great ceremony, but I think it is extremely important that the 9000 Jamaicans that are receiving Permanent Residency over the next few months be able to attend also.

      It is only fair that the mckeeva cabinet status holders be able to attend this joyful Jamaican event, and it is also only fair that the 9000 future udp mckeeva permanent residents also be able to attend. Why should they be left out? Afterall, if it wasn’t for the votes of those thousands of foreigners & alot of money, mckeeva would not be celebrating the name change next month, & I believe that we should include the 9000 Jamaicans that will receive the udp honor of PR soon, let us all celebrate together, shall we! 

      • Anonymous says:

        Can we afford to have a public holiday – the swearing in ceremony is rumoured to be costing us ONE MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. free thinker says:

    Well you can tell who got the free refridgerators and good paying jobs with no responsibilities and all the other freebees  that the Goverment has payed out and who hasn’t.  When all else fails and all the borrowed money is spent guess who will be your glorious Leaders most hatefull enimies for life?  What happens to all the many unemployables when goverment can no longer feed them?  Think about it. Guess what they (and there is a lot of them) will do then.  Or better yet just watch.  It won’t be too long now.

  5. M Ployer says:

    As an employer I can tell you a Harvard degree always beats the dubious "University of Life" when it comes to getting an interview.  The University of Life appears to specialise in majors in resentments, chips on shoulders and cynicism.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Does anyknow who Mac has sent home that is as educated as Amb. Camillo Gonsalves??  Whatever happened to the separation of powers?  (legislative, judiciary and executive)  How are politicians able to interfere with the lives and work of civil servants??  Da na right!!!

     
    • Anonymous says:

      The civil service is being rapidly politicised and the rate at which it is happening is being accelerated. The pretense is being made that it is OK to remove civil servants and to replace them with party hacks under the pretense that politicians have to have staff that they "can work with". Just take a look at what is happening in Mac’s own ministries.

    • The Force says:

      I don’t know who it was that got sent home but would very much like to know. Can you please enlighten us?

  7. whodatis says:

    Congratulations Mr. Bush – your name will go down in history in the Cayman Islands.

    Regardless of what anyone has to say that is something to be proud of – as a man.

    Although I am happy to see how you wormed us out of that sticky tax situation withthe UK, I am not at all pleased by your insistence on our "need" to jump into your proposed plans for extra development / destruction.

    In your speech you dismissed these types of concerns as "political posturing".

    Respectfully, Mr. McKeeva Bush –  a concern for one’s natural environment can and should NEVER be casually dismissed in the way you have chosen.

    Your proposals carry the potential to damage our country economically, environmentally, "naturally", and by way of our reputation (unbridled selling out for the non-beneficial dollar).

    I trust that you will tread carefully in this regard, for if you are mistaken in your beliefs the results could be catastrophic and irreversible.

    Furthermore, I trust that the people of the Cayman Islands will not be caught up in the momentum of the current moment and ignore their instinctive objections in this matter.

    Again, congratulations on making history yet again.

    All the best Cayman.

    whodatis

  8. Joe says:

     

    Ok let’s get this right!
    Free education
    Perfect infrastructure
    And we have a problem with a small increase in fees!
    I know there are those of us who would love for expats alone to pay income tax and foot all the government bills.
    Thanks Mr. Bush good budget. If you need some more money I would be happy to pay $200 for my driver’s license for three years. Why? It cost me $50 a week on gas. I would not mind the $200 dollar and I know it cost a lot to run the licensing department. If I can’t afford it there is always the bus.
    Hope UCCI and UWI might consider giving you an “Honorary Degree” you are a true leader, and to think you didn’t go to college. Continue the good work I know you have the Cayman Islands at heart.
    • Anonymous says:

      Unfortunately, if he had Cayman at heart he would not have made the change he just did with respect to The Hon. Rolston Anglin.  It was obviously politics and his usual dictatorship which is a shame and a selfish move!!

      • Twyla Vargas says:

        Has anyone given thought that this was what Mr Anglin wanted?  Please do not mix up the stew, it is cooking fine.

        • Anonymous says:

          Please, Twyla. In that case Mr. Anglin would not have responded with "no comment" – a phrase that always speaks volumes. We are all aware that Mr. Anglin saw himself as the next leader of the UDP. This sends a clear signal that Mr. Bush is no longer considering him for that role.  

  9. Anonymous says:

    If only we had someone this educated and well-spoken representing our islands, someone might actually listen to what we have to say! 

    We do have Caymanians in the CS who are equally educated but Mac has either sent them home or silenced them in some other manner.

     
    • Joe says:

       

      Guess we confuse ourselves most of the time as to what education is. “We need not look at the long list of pioneers and inventers who never attended college or university”.
      Ever cross our minds that most of the theories and laws been thought at higher educational institution and in fact use in our everyday way of life is a result of individuals with no formal education.  !!!!
      You hypothesis bear no fruits. Education through life experiences is more valuable than four years at Harvard.
      • Anonymous says:
        Ever cross our minds that most of the theories and laws been thought at higher educational institution and in fact use in our everyday way of life is a result of individuals with no formal education.  !!!!

        Interesting idea – name 3 theories or laws being taught at university that are the result of individuals with no formal education – I will even give you the first one – gravity – that must have been observed by cave men although I doubt that they taught the full complexity of gravitational theory around the camp fire.

         

         

    • Anonymous says:

      Absolutely true. It seems that we are heading down the same road as Cambodia under Pol Pot when everybody who had any education was removed from government.

  10. Anonymous says:

    So what is this celebration going to cost us?? Mac do tell…..

    • Anonymous says:

      At last count, I heard the figure of $200K thrown around. However, that’s just gossip. The people that are paying for it (us) will never know the true bill.

      • Anonymous says:

        I have heard way more than that – but we will never be told the true amount.

  11. Anonymous says:

    I say Congratulations  to McKeeva not only for saving us from the heavy handedness of the UK and the  financial mess left by the PPM but for now becoming our first Premier.

    I cannot believe the "Sore Loser" PPM party  members on here with their load of crap and negativity. Do any of you honestly believe that we could have voted the PPM party back in again after the destruction they did to our Country? Do you think that we should give Kurt a third try to finish us off? People please remember that it was the UDP that saved us back in 2001 when our country was going south. The leader then was Kurt Tibbetts. He formed the PPM got relected in 2005 and drove is into the ground less than four years later. Should we have given him a third try and let him become the first Premier, I say, HELL NO!!! The man is no leader and he is no businessman either. Remember Hampsteads folks, he couldn’t even keep a business alive selling paper and pencils and we are supposed to let hime run our country!
     

    Sure McKeeva has his faults, the biggest one being the status grants, even he has admitted that and suffered for it, but I will telS this much I would rather being going cap in hand to the UK with McKeeva than I would with Kurt.

    I have just gotten to know McKeeva personally over the past few years and I have found him to be a man that truly cares for his country and fellowman. Sure he can be a bit aggressive and bullheaded at times but show me a leader that isn’t?

    He has taken this country from the brink of destruction in the midst of a recession and the first time ever for the Cayman Islands having to go to the UK for borrowing, again because of the PPM. I think why most people dislike him is simply because he gets things done. Like a good leader he has surrounded himself with good advisors  and he has made good to the people of this country.

    The "Sore Loser’ party wants the UDP government to drop fees? How do they expect the people of this country to pay for the monuments of the PPM. People it just can’t be done.Your PPM party has caused this and now we all have to pay for it UDP, PPM and Independent. If you have any other good solutions put them forward I am sure McKeeva would love to hear them. All you can throwout is the negativity, political slurs, and insults. Come up with a real plan or alternative to what the UDP has proposed. The time that the PPM wasted hanging out at Over the Edge drinking they should have spent trying to come up with a plan of recovery or at the very least admitting their wrong and offering their services to help the country. Where is the PPM recovery plan?

    Congrats again McKeeva and the UDP.  You have all done the country proud. Do not be swayed by those who complain yet offer no real alternative!

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    • Anonymous says:

      You ask "do any of you believe that we could have voted the PPM party back in after the destruction they did to our country"?

      Well excuse me, but didn’t you all vote the UDP party back into power after all the destruction they did to our country? How fool fool can you get!

      No politican, & no party has destroyed this country more than Bushy & the UDP party, NONE! NADA!!! yet you all voted them back into power, fool fool. I suppose the smell of money is stronger than the smell of honesty & LOVE OF COUNTRY! What a pity.

      • Anonymous says:

        Now fool fool, you tell me which government in history besides the PPM destroyed us so badly financially that we could not borrow a dime without the UK’s approval. Thanks PPM for making history not the kind I ever want to se repeated!!

        • Anonymous says:

          fool fool you tell me which government besides the PPM did anything for this country all the upgrade were needed and I’m proud of every one of  them…fool fool tell ya one thing UDP  sure did make history with them status grant we could never get rid of that problem..we could always pay off a deficit all of a sudden 3000 new Macaymanians…

          and if you say PPM had their hand in the pot..Mac is the leader he should have known that wasn’t good for the country but that what we get when we elect a messenger boy with no high school education to be our leader,,,no wonder even when a qualified Caymanian sits in front of an expat for an interview they think we are dumb

          • Anonymous says:

            Fool Fool,

             

            How many of the status grants were requested by the PPM and in particular Kurt Tibbetts? If your going to constantly dredge this up and blame McKeeva, let’s get the numbers straight! McKeeeva did wrong, he admitted it, some of us have offered forgiveness , some haven’t . Time to move on from that if that is all you’ve got left. I am still waiting on Kurt or any member of the PPM to admit to their share of the blame for the finacial mess this country is in.

            There are a lot of Caymanians out there with a basic High School education that have been successful leaders and business people. Shame on you for putting down our fellow Countrymen. Most of our fathers were seamen who provided great leadership, learnt through experience and hardwork, and were able to provide for their wives and children and yes, help us get the education that they would never been able to get as children. 

            There is and old Merlge Haggard song that says, "When you talking down my country man, you walking on the fighting side of me." It was these uneducated hardworking people that gave us the prosperity we have today and you should be grateful for their efforts so that you could get an education!

            Further if you or any of your fellow PPM’ers had an alternative plan you would have something to talk about. I suppose though when you live in denial that anything is wrong or constantly blame some else that you were mislead then why would you need a plan.

            Remember, Kurt’s, words "Not on the kindest of mornings." and oh , lets not forget Arrrogant Alden, "Only God can stop me."

            I still believe in God!!

             

             

            • Anonymous says:

              McKeeva has never admitted that the status grants were wrong. Instead, like you, he has tried to deflect blame to the PPM, to the UK Govt. and to whoever else he can think of. That is not leadership. Likewise he is trying to pin all the blame on the financial difficulties on the PPM although he had a hand in it as well as the leader of the previous govt. and as a Minister in govts. before that.

              You are intoxicated with this whole UDP vs. PPM nonsense and have no semblance of objectivity. You are putting down your fellow Caymanians for the sake of this party rhetoric.     

            • Anonymous says:

              Are you hard of hearing or understanding? Because of your guilt over the 3000 status that your UDP & Mc Bush gave away, you & your UDP cronies constantly try to include the PPM! The PPM had nothing, I repeat NOTHING to do with the grants. Don’t you remember that the PPM brought a motion to STOP the granting of Cayman status to those 3000 people? DO YOU NOT REMEMBER THAT, are do you have selective memory?

              I know you feel guilty & you are embarassed that any Caymanian could do such a thing, but put the blame where it belongs, & that is with Mc Bush & the UDP only! THE PPM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT, & NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY TO SHARE THE BLAME, the people know the truth & it will not work, so get a life boy!

        • Anonymous says:

          The PPM government had no problem borrowing money because the UK & the banks knew exactly where that money was going, & it was not into any politican or their friends pockets. The PPM borrowed only what was needed, & the UK & the banks saw where every dollar went because everything was above board, there was no under the table deals, no friendship deals, & no corruption!
           

          It is my opinion, & that of many well connected persons, that the main reason why we have been given such a tough time as far as borrowing is concerned is because the UK & the lending banks have no trust in this present government. They do not have short memories (like we, the Cayman people), & they know what went on between 2001 after the coup & 2005! They did not forget the Auditor Generals reports, & they are very worried with what is happening in our country.

          Of course, like the rest of the world, our economy is suffering, & our financial situation is not in great shape, & this has played a big part in our difficulties in being able to borrow, but we must not downplay the trust factor. The FCO has no trust in the UDP government, they have no idea where most of the millions requested will end up, and as the saying goes "once bitten, twice shy"!

    • Anonymous says:

      Posting at 14:50…….seems to me you got way more than a fridge or stove during the election campaign UDP handout season….talk about blinded. And enough with this ‘sore loser’ thing…..although I’d rather be known as one of those than as a ‘loser’ (ie UDP and their croonies!).  You are really following Mac’s lead though….you (and others) figure if you repeat the lil sing song tune of ‘sore loser’ enough everybody else will be brainwashed into believing it is true! just like Mac figure if he keeps repeating that our financial situation is the abosolute fault of the PPM everybody will believe him and don’t forget, his lil sing song of ‘inward investment’ if we are to survive! Repeat it and believe will believe it…..kinda like ‘build it and they will come’……the ignorance of this man’s mindset never ceases to amaze me.  Mac is playing very dangerous politics with the future of this Country – at least there are still many of us out there who can think for ourselves and figure this one out.

      • Anonymous!!! says:

        Poster 10:04

        I wont say that it was all the PPMs fault that we are in this financial situation, but you must admit that they  should carry a lot of the blame, as they have done some stupid things and so has the UDP, however that said I do beleive that we, all Caymanians should put aside the foolishness and concentrate on getting this country back on track. Give your ideas and try to help.

    • Anonymous says:

      You are kidding yourself if you believe the only criticisms of the UDP Govt. are by PPM loyalists. There are many on here with no party affiliation as well as some who voted straight UDP in May who do not like the way things are going.     

  12. Anonymous says:

    Who’s paying for the ceremony?

    • Anonymous says:

      The same people who paid for the last one and the limo that sat outside the LA all day. All of us. You can guarantee it will cost a fortune.

  13. Anonymous says:

    The utter nonsense and dribble that is posted by some on here boggles the mind. It is no wonder that this country is falling apart and regrettably will continue to do so! Pull your fingers out please and try to understand the larger picture that is there to see.

    Whilst you people are bickering about UDP this and PPM that the country is suffering by the nonsense being spewed out by both parties, one of whom is no more esteemed than the other by the way. Do your research and you will find that both parties have played a vital part in bringing this country to where it is at today. If there were truly people possessing good sense out there in voting community a new administration of independents would have emerged. The frightening fact is that as long as party politics continues to grow in the Cayman Islands the country will continue its decline, as has been the case with other Caribbean neighbours – go and educate on the history of your neighbouring countries and stop with the political tribal war which is to the downfall of these wonderful little Islands we are all blessed to call home.

  14. Anonymous says:

    1.  Mac does not even like the consitution why is he accepting this title

    2. Mac nor his lacky boys respect the consitution

     

     

  15. Bill O'Wright says:

    The Constitution was a unit.  It was approved as a single vote, not piecemeal.  The new Committees, the newly devolved power were counterbalanced by a Bill of Rights to protect us all.  Why has this not all been put into force at one time like we voted for?

    • Anonymous says:

      I am afraid you did not read the draft Constitution which provided for the Bill of Rights to be phased in 3 years later. That is what we voted for .

      The Bill of Rights will require a number of significant provisions and changes to be put in place and this will require time. For example, Right to Free Education for all resident children may involved building more schools and hiring more teachers and raising the revenue to provide them.  

  16. Hail Mac says:

    Just hope we aren’t all expected to walk down Cardinal Avenue doing the goosestep and hailing Mein Mac in a few years…

     

  17. slowpoke says:

     HAHA!  

     

    A new Constitution to come into force, costing us millions, providing new appointments to the regular political cronies, AND no Bill of Rights.

     

    A sad day actually – we were let down by the PPM, UDP, CMA, SDA’s, UK FCO…

    • Anonymous says:

      That is because each body has their own agenda and none of them are to support to overtaxed, overworked, abused expats that played a major role in building Cayman.

      It wont be the first time in history a civiliation rose and declined.

       

       

       

  18. Sad Caymanian in exile says:

    It is shameful and an utter disgrace that Big Mac is going to be appointed Cayman’s first premier after everything he did to frustrate the process of constitutional modernization. He should say no now but he aint going to do so. Sad for Cayman.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Kurt Tibbets and his "cronie fans" are all very upset these days about the new Premier title that Mckeeva Bush will get on November 6.

    Please don’t be so jelous, I do have a second place title for Kurt Tibbetts, which is, "LoGB of Past Disaster" and as for Alden McLaughlin, Deputy LoGB of Past Disaster"

    How appropriate !!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Actually it is the thinking Caymanians who are very concerned for their country at the thought of Mr. Bush being Premier.

      • Anonymous says:

        Not the thinking Caymanians – just the jealous PPM supporters. The financial sector realize that he is the only one to lead at this time.

        • Anonymous says:

          Nonsense based on ignorance. I am Caymanian and a professional in the financial services sector. I am not a PPM member or supporter and I am certainly not jealous.

          The "financial sector" as you call it do not support Mac. The few senior people who’s interests are represented by CIFSA support Mac as they have only a couple of years to retirement and many are heading back to Hampshire or whereever as soon as possible. Younger thinking Caymanians are terrified of where Mac is being lead by his ill-informed advisors and the already rich but wanting to get even richer bunch who claim to represent the "financial sector".  

        • Anonymous says:

          Somebody paying you to make such stupid and baseless comments? Sorry to burst ya bubble but the financial sector is not made of idiots!

    • Anonymous says:

      I am not anybody fan and weez not jelous – weez terrified of what Mac gunna do to our beloved country. No hat ever made gunna be big enough for he head once he get that title.

      • noname says:

        Tell me friend, how can you see with the timber in your eye. The timber being the PPM diastrous reign.

        • Anonymous says:

          Tell me friend, how can you see with the timber in your eye? The timber being the UDP disastrous reign (2001-2005, and now)!

    • Anonymous says:

      how so very childish. That must have taken an awful lot out of you to think that up! WOW!

  20. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations to Mac, he is the grandfather of the house and this could not have happened to a more deserving person.  I, and many  more are so proud of you.  You have made yourself into one of the greatest politicians ever to come from the Cayman Islands. Through hard work and perservering you have become the first ever, Premiere of the Cayman Islands.  What a historic moment in the life of these islands, I am so excited to be a part of it. There will be those who will try to tear you down but that’s nothing new to you.  For every person who show hate and  jealousy, you have ten more who show you love.  God bless you my son and may God continue to keep you safe in the palm of his hands.

    • Historian says:

      First Cayman Bank?

      • Likdecyare says:

        The populus is to ignant to this – true unna right, but WELCOME TO THE BANANA REPUBLIC OF CAYMAN – like it or leave it.  Mac-a-doodie got the reigns on…

         

  21. Anonymous says:

    You are not referring to our Minister of Finance I hope?

    Like it or lump it Mac will be our Premier and Minister of Finance/Financial Services.

    I hope he is presently taking a high speed course in Economics and Finance in preparation for his responsibilities.

  22. Joe Average says:

    Saint Vincent speaks out at UN debate on efforts to clamp down on tax havens

    Amb. Camillo Gonsalves, Chairman of the Delegation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

    29 September 2009 –

    Sorry I copied and pasted this CNS.  It is from your World News Section.  Oh that we had someone this well-spoken representing Cayman.

     

    The efforts of major and industrialized economies to crack down on so-called tax havens are just an excuse to spread the blame for the global financial crisis on small nations’ legitimate attempts at development, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines told the General Assembly today.

    Camillo M. Gonsalves, the Caribbean archipelago’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, told the sixth day of the Assembly’s high-level segment that his country faces “being stigmatized out of our transition into financialservices” by the Group of Twenty (G20) major economies, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and what he called “other non-inclusive bodies.”

    Speaking at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Gonsalves said the crackdown on tax havens were actually “a pathetic effort to cast a wide and indiscriminate net of blame across a swath of legitimate and well-regulated countries’ development efforts.

    “We note the irony of these paternalistic prescriptions from the same countries that are unable to stem corruption and mismanagement within their own borders, where corporations recklessly squander trillions of dollars and a single buccaneer investor can make $50 billion disappear into thin air – an amount greater than the combined annual budget expenditures of the entire CARICOM [Caribbean Community] sub-region,” he said.

    Mr. Gonsalves took aim at the G20 for describing itself last week, at a summit in the United States city of Pittsburgh, as the premier forum for international economic cooperation.

    “Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is not a member of the G20, nor were we consulted on its ascension to the ranks of arbiters of our economic fate… The G20 faces a serious legitimacy problem: aside from being non-inclusive and unofficial, many of the countries at that table represent the champions of the financial and economic orthodoxies that led the world down the rabbit-hole to its current economic malaise.”

    The Permanent Representative also cast doubt on recent reports from some observers that the economy is returning to normal.

    “The invisible hand of the market is still clasped firmly around the throats of poor people and the developing countries of the world. We see none of the so-called ‘green shoots’ that populate the fantasies of discredited economic cheerleaders.

    “Indeed, the seeds sown by this crisis may produce the strange and bitter fruit of increased poverty, suffering and social and political upheaval. The crisis itself, with its disproportionate impact on the poor, will only widen and deepen the yawning gap between developed and developing countries.”

     

     

     

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Thank you for posting this here. It provides a rather stark contrast with "weez broke".

    • Anonymous says:

      That has always been our problem ~ we can never satisfy with what our own has to offer.  We are always admiring/ looking up to some foreigner or foreign jurisdiction.  Well, let me tell you one thing, the one Mac is as good our better that anyone else out there.   Show some appreciation for your very own Caymanian. Don’t be a part of the problem but be a part of the solution.  Stop tearing down your own Caymanian, we have enough out there who are more than happy to do it for us .

      • Anonymous says:

        You say to "Stop tearing down your Own Caymanian"! WEEEEELLLLLL HELLLLLLLOO, who torn down your own Caymanian more than Mckeeva Bush, the udp & the rest of unna blind udp followers? For 4 years you, YES YOU, & the udp led by the mouthpiece Bush tore down fellow Caymanians like NEVER seen before! So please, Pleeeeease stop with your ignorant foolishness, because until unna can practice what unna preach, unna dimbos will never get ahead in life, unna will be held down by the burdens of hypocricy! unna even preaching to foreigners to hate Caymanians, what is worse than that you hypocritical dim-wit!

      • Joe Average says:

        I’m going to reply to that.

        Those words were not spoken by a "foreigner" they were said by another legislator in the Caribbean region.  Who it seemed to me had a proper grasp on the situation.  And spoke quite eloquently in front of the United Nations on the game of smoke and mirrors being played by the G20.  The economic model, which we are in no uncertain terms being asked to follow, is a failed idea.  Tax the many for the benefit of a few insiders.  Allow banks to decide the economic fate of countries.  Print money and control it’s distribution.  Create inflation, then counter it with recession as money is tightened up.  That is their economic model.  Drive economies to extremes and make money going both ways.

        But they took it too far without realizing the consequences.  What was missing from the equation was that the people in their countries WERE the economies.  Without their labor (no jobs) and their participation (no money)  the game began to fail.  And as in a card game, when you have cleaned the table.  You look for another table.

        I was impressed by the person from St. Vincent and the Grenadines because of his outward vision.  Something that we haven’t had with all the bickering between the UDP and PPM.  Two parties which have proven their incompetence or at least their lack of vision.  I didn’t mean it to be disrespectful of Cayman or Caymanians.  It is my home many are my friends.

        But we should be looking elsewhere other than the G20 for our way forward.  Because they are becoming more a foe than a friend as their ideals and methods become obvious. The countries in the Caribbean region could very well support each other without being carbon copies of a twisted system.  With trade.  With food.  With industry.  And with increased opportunities for all.  But we will also be subject as we are now to pressures and even embargos by a group of countries unrelated to us and with a vested interest in seeing us fail.   CARICOM.  The Caribbean Community. Has future that we should support.  And we could have looked for support instead of grovelling.  He stated the case very clearly.  For as long as we continue to follow an out-dated model and continue to be divided and conquered by people with no interest in our futures we will continue to suffer whatever consequences they deem necessary for their own economic survival.

        • whodatis says:

          @ Joe Average:

          Here, here!

          Beautifully stated.

          Im with you on this one 100%.

      • Anonymous says:

        Of course he is. Weez broke! Mac is source of the bad press we have been getting about our financial condition.

    • Anonymous says:

      If only we had someone this educated and well-spoken representing our islands, someone might actually listen to what we have to say!

  23. Anonymous says:

    "the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy"??

    havent we had enough of wasteful spending and an overflated civil service!!

    how are these new commissions and boards being funded? and from where, since we are sooo broke!!! Is this really necessary??

     

    Jesus wept!

    Its enough to make you cry in your milo!

  24. Joe Average says:

    I’ve always wanted to be a loyal subject without a Bill of Rights.  It will be a glorious day!  IF…we’re allowed to congregate.

  25. Tubs says:

    President Premier King Majesty Bush!!! Thats the title.

    • da-wa-u-get says:

      Actually it is: Premier President Majesty King Bush, or

      "PPM King-Bush" for short

    • Anonymous says:

      I have never seen a more pompous, self-serving & egocentric human being in my long years on earth!

      At a time when our country, & the entire world is looking for ways in which to cut back, this egotist is more concerned about inflating his image than cutting costs for our beloved Cayman Islands, which he spent his first 100 days in office proclaiming from his high horse for the world to hear that we are bankrupt! Have you ever heard the likes? SELFISHNESS is the only way to describe it (no, sorry, there are many other ways but I cannot print them here).

      And for those 2 or 3 UDP’ers that will foolishly defend this by saying it is not government money (which of course some of it is), IT DOES NOT MATTER IF IT IS GOVERNMENT MONEY OR MONEY RAISED BY HIS FOLLOWERS, that money raised could go towards government expenditure rather than being wasted on infalting an already very large ego!

      A selfish person would not know this, but if you don’t have money you cannot spend it! Therefore, if we are bankrupt as he has said, then he should not spend the money! Is that hrard, even for the uneducated to understand?

      We all knew that he was greatly exaggerating for political gain (to put down the ppm; to be able to say it was his doing when the world recovers; & to frighten people into accepting casinos), but he has hurt this country more than anyone before him by sending the wrong message to the entire world! That hurt Cayman more than PPM ever did! He is very selfish, & does not have one ounce of common sense

       

      • Anonymous says:

        The PPM did the damage ~ Mr. Bush simply brought it to light.  Guess you being a PPM supporter would have wanted him to keep the mismanagement of the PPM hidden.  Well done Mr. Bush.  The PPM spent their entire term tearing you down and they’ll spend the next four years doing the same thing.  They should take a page from your book and learn how to be good leaders and not followers.

        • Anonymous says:

          Amen to that sister ~ the PPM must be wishing they could shove their heads in the sand, never to raise them again.  What a shameful legacy for an administration.  They will go down in the history books as the Government that has shoved the islands to bankruptcy and the brink of direct taxation by way of a directive by the UK,  due to the shambles they left our finances.  Thank God for the UDP ~ they are not afraid to take the bull by the horn and do what they have to do.  Sometimes  in life that’s what it all boils down to ~ a man doing what must be done, no matter the crticism.

          Remember, if Mac succeeds we all do, so  stop hoping for him to fail.  Instead, take a moment  to pray for the success of the Government of the Cayman Islands.

           

        • Anonymous says:

          The damage was done in UDP’s first dictatorship. Where has all the money gone, please tell us, it is our money! The Boatswain Beach project was to cost no more than $40 million, but ended up costing close to $70 million, in whose pockets did that money end up & was it legal?

          The Royal Watler port cost millions more than it was projected to cost, the low cost housing cost millions more than it should have, land sales to relatives of udp minister cost us more than twice the land value, udp paid their friends millions for consulting that never happened (with no refund), do you want to hear more? How can anyone accept all of this corruption & still praise the udp simply because their leader has a big mouth? Please tell us where has all the millions gone?

           

    • Anonymous says:

      Tubs get a life.

    • Anonymous says:

      Sounds good to me. A most fitting title I must say.  It is certainly more appropriate to call Mac by that title than KT.  Mr. Bush has been blessed with vision, good common sense and most of all an understanding of what it takes to keep the Cayman Islands prosperous.  Long live Mr. Bush.

      • Anonymous says:

        I agree with you that a ridiculously pompous title is perhaps more fitting forMac. I also appreciate your incredibly drole comment, to the effect that,   

        Mr. Bush has been blessed with vision, good common sense and most of all an understanding of what it takes to keep the Cayman Islands prosperous.

        It took me a few seconds to realise that you had cleverly rearranged your words to make the point. Isn’t it correct that what you actually meant was,

        the Cayman Islands has been blessed with vision, good common sense and most of all an understanding of what it takes to keep Mr. Bush prosperous.

        Long live the Emperor.

        • Anonymous says:

          If Mr. Bush succeeds as Premiere the Cayman Islands will reap the benefits.  Mr. Bush is the most generous man on this island. He gives to the poor and looks out for the downtrodden.

          • Anonymous says:

            Yes, Robin Hood stole from the rich to give to the poor also, it does not make it right.

            It is wrong for anyone, politican or not, to steal money to pay for continued success at the polls!

            A person can always be generous with someone elses money!

             

  26. Young.KY.female says:

    Yay for the new constitution, boo for the delay of the Bill of Rights; I agree that this is a breach of sorts.  As for Mac being named premier…..I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

    • Anonymous says:

      Give thanks it’s not KT that is Premiere, or you would have drowned in your vomit.  Mac is the best one to lead this country. 

      • Anonymous says:

        Lead this country where – oblivion?

      • Anonymous says:

        Who else but Mac that is capable of being the Premier……….Certainly Not Kurt Tibbetts he was running the country like he ran Hampstead.

        • Anonymous says:

          Isn’t that better than running it like a prostitution ring or whore house, selling off our islands to anyone with a few dollars? Honesty will always trump dishonesty, & thank GOD that one day our beautiful country will be back in the hands of honesty. Maybe by then it will be too late, because as sure as the sun sets everyday the selling has already started, & I don’t mean like the selling of goods at Hampstead, I mean the selling of our country (by politicans whose only interest is to enrich themselves, the richer they get the more they want)

      • TELL IT LIKE IT IS... says:

        Sure – down the crapper…

      • Anonymous says:

        Anonymous @ 19:15 please stop it……me head and neck hurting me so hard from laughing and if a continue i going poop (lol)….. but put all jokes aside that young lady would have really drowned in her vomit if it was KT in  as Cayman’s first premiere,Mac is the best one to lead Cayman……God bless Mr Bush!!!!

  27. common sense says:

    Bring in the Horse Guards and let’s have a fly-over of Spitfires on Coronation Day. 

    • Anonymous says:

       To save money, maybe a smattering of iguanas and a fly-over by MRCU?  ðŸ™‚  

    • Anonymous says:

      You’re too jealous.  The UDP has saved this country from the brink of bankruptcy. Show some appreciation and stop being so ungrateful.

  28. Anonymous says:

    Hate him or love him, Mac is for the history books….

  29. Anonymous says:

    A few things still needs to be explain. Will he be Premier Bush or King McKeeva 1st.  Will he rule West Bay or all the island? Now he is a King do we still need Queen Elizabeth II. Will McKeeva be on the stamps? If so, should they be made bigger?

    • Anonymous says:

      Another jealous PPM can’t stand to lose poster.  Mac is one of your own Caymanians whether you like him or not.  That’s the problem with us Caymanians, can’t stand to see one of our very own succeed.

      • Anonymous says:

        Jealousy has nothing to do with the way many younger Caymanians are looking at this mess. Some Caymanians work for the good of all Caymanians. Some öf "our own" think that it is OK to "succeed" by using political office as a way to make themselves rich at the cost of their fellow Caymanians. News flash – it is not OK.

        • Young Caymanian Too says:

          You think the PPM was the better deal then?  Well , my son, the very mess that you are talking about is the mess that they put us in.  Had we given then another four years the UK would have had to step in. Can you imagine, they still deny that we are broke, don;t know what happened and continue to blame the UDP, when it was the PPM who was in power and spending as if there was not tommorrow.  But you know what, I hope that one of these days you will offer your life to public service.  The youth are our future – you and I are the future ~ so step up to the plate and take your place at the helm.  Be a part of the solution and no excuses please. It is ever so easy to sit an complain about everyone and everything. So think about it.

          By the way, I too am a young Caymanian with a MBA, now going after my doctorate,  who is  extremely proud to support the UDP.  But we must respect each other’s rights and opinions.  Hope to see you run in the next election.

  30. Anonymous says:

    What an ironic travesty of historic proportion!!! A man that repeatedly states on public platform that he did and does not support the new constitution!  A man from such humble socio-economic and educational beginnings is to be the first Premier of one of the world’s major players in the financial market place!!! Enough said.

    • Anonymous says:

      yes, enough said! And it cost him & the UDP a pretty fortune. The millions that was paid out & passed around before & even on election day, was unbelievable! Mac will be the first Premier & it cost a fortune. He did not want it, but he sure is making a BIG deal about it, what hypocricy! He has paid a huge fortune to be king, sorry, premier in this life, but because GOD does not like ugly, it is my opinion that he will burn in the next, if you know what I mean. Arise king mac

    • Anonymous says:

      That’s right; it proves that it takes courage, hard work, determination, and most of all resilience that keeps him going on despite the naysayers who try to denigrate and undermine him .  This significant moment in the life of our islands gives hope to all.  Yes we can, you bet we did.

  31. Anonymous says:

    Lets hope the good Lord takes care of Mac at least until November 6.

    Otherwise we could see Aunt Julie being crowned Premier instead.

    • Say NO!!! says:

      As my old unlce Ho Lee Phuk used to say…

      Um…

      Maybe he said it already…

       

  32. Anonymous says:

    Why are the Bill of Rights not coming into foce for 4 years?  The UK government is under an international obligation to provide adequate domestic protection of residents’ rights under the ECHR.  This delay is a breach of that obligation.

    Please Governor, protect our rights by ensuring the UK complies with its obligations.

  33. Anonymous says:

    Why did the Governor hold off annoucing Mac’s promotion to Premier until after Mac made those promises to the UK this week? What did Mac promise anyway?

    • Anonymous says:

      The announcement was right on schedule – on the day of the Throne Speech.   So don’t caught in jealousies.

  34. Anonymous says:

    Take note:

    ‘Amid the pomp the constitution itself will officially become the country’s highest law.’

    • Anonymous says:

      Tut, tut – much as I love CNS for its timeliness, the speed often means they sacrifice accuracy.

      The constitution is the country’s highest law already – always has been, always will be, ceremony be damned.  Perhaps what CNS meant to say is the new constitution voted on by the electorate on May 2009 will become the new, highest law – in place of the existing constitution…

      • Anonymous says:

        ‘The country is the country’s highest law already’ – not according to some, as we have already seen.

  35. Anonymous says:

    Kudos to all involved that the 2009/10 Budget and the Financial Secretary’s Budget Address of this morning are already available online:

    Budget:

    http://www.gov.ky/portal/page?_pageid=1142,3475831&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

    Financial Secretary’s Budget Address:

    http://www.legislativeassembly.ky/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/LGLHOME/BUSINESS/SPEECHES/200910_FS_BUDGETADDRESS.PDF

    • Anonymous says:

      Thanks for posting this. It is somewhat complex reading but at least it is relatively clear. What Mac read out was nothing but meaningless waffle.

    • Anonymous says:

      Has anybody actually looked at this?

      Multifunction photocopies (2) $16000

      That seems extremely high even with the new duty fees. Quick search shows a Xerox that can do 55pages per min (color) – printer, scanner, copier for $1253.00USD.

      Digital Cameras — $1750 — how many at $250 do they need?

      Whole lot of computer equipment with the standard $5000 — what are they buying for that. Seeing that brand new PCs sell for $500, makes you wonder what they are buying.

      Seems like someone has built in some extra money as part of their budget.

       

  36. Anonymous says:

    Will he now wear one of those pith helmits with the peacock feathers like the governors used to wear, or one of those wreaths the way that Roman Emperors did? Maybe someone from the Protocol Office will know?  

    • Anonymous says:

      No he will continue to be same old Mac that we love and admire.  Thank God that he so humble and modest.  This will be just another chapter in the life of McKeeva Bush and those who try to make more of it than that by saying all kind of unflattering things about him should look on the inside of him/herself to find out what makes you so bitter. 

      • Anonymous says:

        Humble and modest – which country do you live in? Last time I saw him going by in his chauffered chariot of state humble and modest was not what he projected. Who he think he is and not even Premier yet?

      • Historian says:

        "Bush was forced to resign from Executive Council in 1997 being implicated as culpable in the failure of First Cayman Bank, a fraudulent institution he was a Director of at the time. It is said that he was also involved in the failure of Eurobank that resulted in the abdication of the Island’s attorney general at the time who fled the Island due to espionage allegations."

      • Ummm... says:

        Humble and Modest???

        So I gues Jaws is a goldfish, Chuckie a barbie doll and the Texas Chain Saw dude a guy just out to have a few laughs…

        I suggest you double check you didn’t get a defective dictionary/thesuarus…

        Humble and Modest does NOT equal greedy, back stabbing, money grabbing, deceiptful and criminal.  Not that I am saying any of these aply to Mac – just that humble and modest don’t either!!!

        <removing tongue from cheek>

         

        • Anonymous says:

          I’m not "saying" they apply to him either…..but I am sure as heck thinking it!!!! God help us all! I really wish now that I could go back and change my vote and I probably would have voted against the constitution…had I know it would benefit the most pompous person on earth! God help us all, that’s all I can say.

  37. Anonymous says:

    Rolston – you have 33 days to do what is right for the country. Build your coalition and save Cayman – please.

    • Twyla Vargas says:

      Mr Anglin, please be pursuaded by your own mind.  Remember the Devil also works in mysterious ways and will try to tempt you into following the bright light of fame.  Dont let it happen.  Have a pure heart and clean hands and do not let anyone pursuade you to go against your people for the sake of power. For ever walk good.

    • West Bay born & bred! says:

      I could name out at least 10 former politicians who once ran with Mac and won every election, then, lo and behold, the decided to run against him and have never won another election.  Wes t Bay knows that the man behind the politics in West Bay is Mac.  People love him like a good plate of turtle meat and corn bread.  We won’t  vote for anyone else who does not sit on Mac’s platform.  So Rollie, as much as we love you, we won’t vote against the Mac, so stay put!

  38. Anonymous says:

    Lord Help Cayman. I was hoping that the date might be put off until after he retired.

    Will the dredges appear in North Sound later that day?