CS to get back 3.2% COLA
(CNS): Public sector workers will get back the cost of living allowance (COLA) taken from them as a result of the country’s previous deficit now that the premier says the last financial year ended in an unexpected surplus. As government earned more and spent less than expected, McKeeva Bush says he will be using some of that money to give the civil servants the 3.2% that was taken out of their salaries in July 2010. Bush said that he had committed to returning the allowance when the public finances were stabilized and as a result he would be recommending to Cabinet that it be reinstated for September.
However, Bush said that he would probably have to discuss the move with the FCO because, he said, the UK controls the Cayman Islands budget. The premier said he would likely have to make up the money in savings elsewhere but “the good Lord will help” as he tries to help the Cayman people.
Offering his thanks to civil servants, who, he said, helped to achieve the surplus. Bush said it was the right thing to do to give back the 3.2%, but did not say if the 3.2% cut taken by MLAs and the 10% cut taken by himself and the opposition leader at the same time the civil service cut was made would also be reinstated.
Despite originally predicting a more than $30 million deficit for the financial year end, which is why the civil servants were forced to take the cut at the start of the 2010/11 financial year, government has instead finished the year in the black.
What Bush called a “tremendous turnaround” has solved one of government’s problems under the Public Management and Finance Law but it is still left with a debt burden which exceeds the parameters of the legislation which governs public finances – the law which “the PPM allowed”, he said in his Friday evening announcement.
After government added a further $155 milllion to the borrowing last year, the total public debt now stands at more than $600 million, which means the cost of servicing the debt each year as well as the total amount exceeds the 10% and 80% respective ratios of government earnings set out in the PMFL.
Category: Politics
what about reducing the fees which are crippling business???
mac does not have a clue about basic enconomics
Can't we make them work 3.2% harder to get it? Why are we giving them something for nothing?
While he lacks the sophistication, judgement and temperament to be a good Premier, McKeeva has political acumen in spades. He knows perfectly well and indeed is banking on the fact that the UK will not agree to restore the civil service salaries just yet, but he will still get the credit that he tried to get reinstate civil servants pay but the horrible UK just does not care about Caymanians. (To this day his supporters blame the UK for the status grants). Such a gesture costs him nothing at all but may pay good returns.
This seems suspect….Politricks?
Shouldn't the Deputy Governor (CS Head) be announcing this?
What sort of Cola is it? Pepsi or Coke?
It could be Cola Champagne, but with Mac it's more likely to be Sham and Pain.
I think we should forget about the 3.2% and build another church!
Bwoy you people thin skinned bwoy. You can't see that post to 'leave the premier alone you devil worshippers' is something to LOL about. No need for thumbs down.
Countrys fail, democratic societies go into decline when the masses reilise that they can vote themselves more and more money from the treasury.
The decline is on.
I read the attachment and I am not sure of a few things:
a) Civil Servants work hard
b) The 'good Lord' is an accountant
I don;t know if the Good Lord is an accountant but I did see bumber sticker that says, "Jesus Saves". I only hope he keeps his money in a Cayman bank.
"Jesus Saves, McKeeva Spends" would make an excellent bumper sticker.
You mis read the article! MacKeeva is the Good Lord and an Accountant!
What was not mentioned in the article is deafening. Something as simple as a 3.2% pay cut to CS for about 1 year has resulted in a bugdet surplus even greater than expected. It is a valuable lesson for the Premier and shows the power of cost cutting in down economic times. It is only hoped that gong forward, further cost cuts in other areas may be considered along with careful spending to increase the cash even more.
CS will no doubt find useful ways to use this money which will contribute to growth as well.
3.2% is only about $8.5million (based on $252million in personnel costs to CS). Where has the other "surpluses" come from, as it has been "business (spending) as usual" with UDP-ites. There certainly has been NO savings!
Tell me, where have they "worked hard" to achieve the surplus and restrained spending in the last two years except the 3.2 COLA?
I'll tell you where the "surplus" came from – jacking up biz fees, fuel duty, customs duty on you and me. So people, this is YOUR MONEY that the Govt has taken from YOU during the worst recession Cayman (and the World) has ever seen!!
I mean seriously, what democratic leader, following the wishes of his people, raises fees and taxes/duties on his people – NONE. I know I didn't ask him to raised fees and duties, DID YOU? It was all a ploy to start with.
Now the Savior has delivered the "miracle" – YEAH RIGHT!!!! Das MY money, GIVE IT BACK NOW!!
Suggestions for educated Premiers. Please come forward and compete with the present politicians so that the people will have a REAL choice. I am sure this will change the dynamics of the playfield.
Jude Scott, William McTaggart, Dax Foster, Shane Foster, Franze Manderson, Dan Scott,
Woody Foster, Wayne Panton, along with so many other decent and educated Caymanian men who love and fear the Lord. Who knows right from wrong and are capable. This country need men like all of you to put your feet forward. Really, what is being published now for everybody to read does not look good,
hmm no educated women would qualify i guess… interesting! I know you meant well but… come up with at least one female please! I do think we outnumber in the educated department btw.
LOL! Yeah, i was just thinking the same thing. And then I thought "Hey, what if this original post was written by a woman?" Hey, you never know… OMG! What if I'm a woman and I've been lied to all this time!!!
Yeah, I am a woman. But ladies…do not forget that behind every successful man stands a good woman by his side. Nevertheless, we know we can be Premiers too because there are awhole lot of us here that are qualified for the position. The only hitch is that we have our grandkids to purr over.
As a male i still agree with you but as great as many women are could you explain to me what sort of acrobat you are to be able to stand both beside your man and behind him at the same time!
That is why we are called woman and will continue to stand beside and behind our good men.
This calls for a re-post!!
Ponzi scheme or pyramid scheme just like Bernie Madoff. Instead of stealing from Peter to pay Paul, Mac steals from Peter to pay Peter!. Try using the excess money for paying off the debt and reducing interest rates. If you want to lower the cost of living them reduce the damn taxes you put on our economy that are choking us.
Leave the Premier alone! You devil worshippers!
John… be careful you don't lose your head. 🙂
We do not worship McKeeva!
Politics at its best this is why the average Caymanian will always be at the mercy of one or another politician or developer. It is all about what I can get today and forget about tomorrow or future generations. I do not blame the government for anything that goes wrong in this country it is the people. Corruption will never stop in this country until the UK take over where bribe is no longer accepted, winked at and encouraged. If the UK does not intervene by this time next year Cayman's corruption will pale in comparision to the most corrupt place in the world.
There are numbers and then statistics, then Lies.
The Premier's figures are not statistics. Statistics are numbers WITHOUT lies, these figures just happen to be numbers
Food for thought To 7:47 The Minister of Finance should pay the Civil Servants personally for his negligence. Maybe he can have his smart accountant, Mr. Young resolve how to pay the civil servants. But while doing so, be very careful, as it was Peter Young who introduced Cohen to Bush and who was also a director of the defunct hedge fund Beacon Hill, which went into compulsory liquidation years ago, owing millions to investors. Just food for thought.
Also, why does this guy keep changing the name of organisations that he is a part of? Does he NOT have staying power?
Smoke and mirrors my friend, smoke and mirrors…………..
And now for the math. Civil Servants work 5 days a week, times 52 weeks=260 days per year. Now subtract holidays and sick days and reduce it to 250 days per year. 3.2% of 250 days = 8.32 days of extra pay without extra work. Add the extra holiday the Premier gave us for the Queen's Anniversary and we are up to 9.32 days of pay without working.
Mr. Premier. We are in an economic recovery situation. Biting the bullet means biting the bullet until we have recovered, not until the first trickles of cash show up on the books.
One of 3 things is out of whack here.
1. Your economic advisor is giving you bad advice and you are using it.
2. Your economic advisor is giving good advice and you are ignoring it.
3.Your economic advisor hasn't got a clue and you are doing what feels right.
Non of the above has worked so far. I would suggest doing the opposite of what you think you should do and see how that works.
Giving Civil Servants 10 extra days pay during a struggling recovery period is WRONG!
PAY DOWN THE DEBT FIRST AND ELIMINATE INTEREST PAYMENTS.
Bush got his numbers wrong on First Cayman Bank. What makes him think he has got them right this time?
What ignorance!
Giving people something back? They have not been given a raise in years and years. Whenever the COLA is awarded it does not even keep them up with inflation. That is why Civil Servants morale is so low. They can't even get a decent pay raise.
Yep. Been around here now for over 6 years and no annual raise of pay or bonus like it was in the private sector, regardless of how I do a good job. Why should I put out more than I have to when managers are not rewarding you, even if they could give a raise!
The typical Civil Service Senior Manager does not even know how to motivate. The HR people are great demotivators and the association is a waste of time.
I would also like to add that I do sympathize with your pay cut and didn't mean to be so callous in doing the math. You have feelings and work hard for your pay. If you get the 3.2% back I am happy for you and thank you for taking the cut in the first place. It has helped in recovery. I only wish more cuts could be make in areas less harmful to people's income so we can get this economy balanced and running efficiently. Thank you CS.
I forgot one more possibility.
#4: You don't have and economic advisor and are making economic decisions by the seat of your pants. I hope this is not the case.
An open letter to the electorate of this country:
You do not have to vote for someone after they give you something. You can take it and vote for someone else. Votes are anonymous. Please separate your 'in' and 'out' trays.
An further more, if you don't vote for the candidate who is trying to buy your vote with gifts, he will be more likely to give you even more good stuff to get your vote the next time.
The civil service should reject the reinstatement of the 3.2% COLA on the basis that's it's not in the best financial interests of the country. Now wouldn't that be a lesson for the Premier!
Yes, but if boxers, preachers and other random individuals can get money from the Premier, why not let the civil servants get some of that too?
Do you see what he's done to the Cayman Islands?
In human nature, there is a false sense and view of self that is all fabricated by the mind, bodily sensations, and desires. Such a false idol and its reactions to whatever appears to go against it and its comfort zone and feelings of pleasantness, is that which will always influence the shaping of laws and policies in the world.
Amongst lawmakers and politicians, many of them, I assume, will never change and awake from their ignorance and reactive ways to the impermanence of life. It is not in their weak natures to rid themselves from greed, politicking, and ill-will agianst others. I assume only a few (like a needle in a haystack) that does not entertain the ignorance of the false self, are in the political arena, but does not muster that amound of positive influence for the human good, as they are not given the chance to be in places of political power.
But Cayman is small! What shall we do to better ourselves? But mere blogging, speaking out, and posting articles, are not enough. There needs to be activists, people who will act, and not get caught up with the media, party-politics, and on whose side you are on. People who will deliver the message of truth, not be bought or sold, and speak about the issues instead of personalities. I sincerely believe that not everyone can do this and deliver such a timely message. I see this on CNS, the Central Nervous System of Cayman Islands media; I see commenters that are incapable of not sticking to the issue, but get so caught up with their emotions and false selves that they attack personalities, parties, and politicians. They are not mature and fit to deliver the truth. So caught up with the reactions of the false self and are not humbled enough to persuade minds and change hearts.
Call me passive with a deep hole of apathy, but I am convinced that change will never be found by this strategem where we look for legislating more laws to make a better world. For if the same lawmakers are not converted, the laws will not reflect that change humanity needs so much. The world is on its tracks, coming to an end, because those who are driving the bus, are not converted. They are not redeemed from their weak selves. We can look to some political, military, or societal action to make a difference and/or remove those driving the train, but that will not help if everybody on the train does not know how to control and master the weakness of their human nature.
For the message of deliverance to penetrate somebody's heart, it has to be experienced. Words and reasoning will not do. Hence, the only way to truly know the truth and be liberated from this false self, is to experience the truth for yourself. No University or book will be able to do that. It is being in touched with life. So I say, if you want to change the world or at least aspects of it, it must first change yourself. Anyone here who is good at judging McKeeva, but first look at themselves, judge themselves before they can ever think of changing hearts like his for the betterment of society. People, if you can't change your heart, how can you change another person's heart, and thus, legislation.
Regards.
Libertarian, this is a great approach to politics, leadership and life in general. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. The problem here however is immediate. It is not a debate in philosophical differences on how to lead a country. The immediate problem is that we have a nationl debt of over 600 million dollars and people in charge who are misusing public funds. They are financially inept at bringing down the debt. On the one hand they get a little money in treasuryt and use it to help those in need rather than pay down the debt. They are caught between a rock and a hard place. Economic policy and management has to change very soon to stop personal suffering and reduce our debt. In the end it will be the debt that kills Cayman regardless of who is in power.
Agreed… financial ineptness or clumsiness is one of the factors; especially, seen whilst PPM was in their last phase of power during the incoming recession. With Cayman, what has me troubled though is the politicking and egoism from this Government and the Opposition against each others views on reducing the debt. And both UDP/PPM parties, it seems, are not unified (seen working together) on certain national issues like crime, a program towards more direct democratic provisions in the Constitution, and better checks and balances against corruption. Contrary to nature and reality, certain politicians in key positions of society are weakened; and hence, morally ineffective to make sound decisions on certain policies. They (from both sides of the party spectrum) are accelerating the political divide in this country. Since mind-games and personalization have become prevalent in our arena, I have never witness so much ignorant feedback from the public in all my life – born and raised here Caymanian. I just have to say, God help us and world to change course. Regards
Keep the 3.2% COLA. I have learned to get by without it.
McKeeva only wants to reinstate the cut to give himself and the rest of the MLA's a raise.
I would like to see another 1.8% cut, not so much for me being able to afford it, but because it will be a larger sum of money taken away from McKeeva, Mike, Ellio, and the rest of the clowns.
Having worked in the CS, I can say with certainty that this surplus is rubbish. It is easy enough to paint a grand picture like this and fudge numbers, by simply omitting many of the invoices which need to be paid. The government owe the private sector millions of dollars for their products and services. If one was to not account for these unpaid invoices, it may seem like infact the government is creating a rebound. Oh you fools who are so quick to believe….open yours eyes.
10:04: Perhaps you worked in the CS in the old days of cash accounting (terrible system). Under the accruals system, outstanding unpaid bills would still be factored in to the financial picture.
Theoretically speaking, yes. In actuality, no.
Under the new system of McKeeva Accounting, the numbers reported may or may not reflect any actual money owed, saved, present, absent, paid or otherwise transferred or not.
It is only when people understand that their has been no support for any of the Premier's outlandish financial claims, it is only when people understand that the "Emperor has no clothes" will things begin to change.
I don't expect things to change.
14:01, I'm not the person above but I know that what they are saying is correct.
If the data is entered.
Not a supporter for Mac, but by him approving the 3.2% we will see now how the UK regard CaymanianCivil Servants by not allowing him to do so. Very clever Bush. It is one devil exposing the other devil. 😉
Let's not forget Bush's line that ' he will have to discuss the proposed rise with the FCO' as the 'UK control the budget'. A very clever move my Bush as he knows the UK would probably not approve the 3.2% re-instatement but it makes him look good with the civil service to propose the rise. A win-win move.
Any accountant will tell you that the $25M surplus is just another way of smoke and mirrors. We should all be aware that accountants can manipulate figures to make things look a certain way. I'll way until the Auditor General has a look and see what he says about Mac achieving the impossible. If it looks too good to be true then it probably is.
Accountants can certainly manipulate figures but it looks like Bush can do that as well. The fact remains that Bush has merely deferred expenditure until next year.either that or he is magician of the year. Methinks that by the time the figures are audited they will have changed yet again.
I agree with you. Its all just numbers as far as I am concerned and I am not an accountant but I have common sense. The Premier best be careful about acting too quickly to re-instate the 3.2%, nothing against the civil servants but what would be the point in hastily doing that and by the end of this financial year he has to cut it again? I say wait and see. He told them he would reinstate their salary when the Government finances were stablized, I have to see the proof (audited financial statements) of it being stabilized before I make any premature announcements and give those poor civil servants false hope.
Sorry, vote not for sale. You are out and not soon enough
For pete sake you guys hush!!! What and who would please you all? You cry when they take money,You cry when they give back . What do you all really want ? If Mac resigns today and you put I dont know who you all would complain ,And una better stop cussin Dart cause we broke Its a good thing we had him now una shut up and go with the flow of the world recession or however the hell you spell it, these heinekens talking to me ya now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow. Now YOU are saying Cayman is broke. Since Mr Bush has been less than forthcoming with his numbers, perhaps you could provide YOUR proof that Cayman is broke.
You are all mixed up. if you are right that we are broke shouldn't that mean that we should not give back the 3.2% paycut just yet? IF we have a $25m surplus doesn't that mean that we are not broke?
Any Caymanian who cannot see that the Premier is doing his best for the Caymanian people dont want to see.
What Caymanians need to do is to stop listening to idle talk about the Premier, and support him more because he mean well.
My split personality is holding me hostage until I type this to you….says he will not open the door and let me out. So I do this under great duress.
I have been asked to "EXAMINE" the statement made by you in your comments above…and in particular
"Any Caymanian who cannot see that the Premier is doing his best for the Caymanian people dont want to see."
So here we go….
Let's take a few short seconds to address some of his actions and maybe you could endow us with your wisdom on how this affects us "Caymanians" positively.
1) Increased duties on all items into the Cayman Islands by 2.5% or something like that leading to an increase in cost of living to all of us "Caymanians". This issue coupled by a few other issues that are to come later.
2) Increased Work Permit Fees, and other business fees increasing the cost to many small and struggling business stuck in the grips of one of the most crippling recessions of our times. This lead to staff cut backs, consolidations and closures which has BLOWN up our unemployment like never before.
3) Increased FUEL TAX which is tied to everything we do except AIR. Now our CUC which was due to go up already BLEW UP by 20-50% in some cases and this was compounded by increases in Food and the cost of our own personal gas at the pump. This like #1 increased our Cost of Living to us "Caymanians".
So…..in summation….
1) He took your jobs and if that wasn't enough misery to put you in he raised the cost of living on you too.
2) He thought you were all fools and seemingly he was right because the same idiots he made loose their jobs he called on to stand behind him. AND GUESS WHAT???? Here's the punch line….THEY SHOWED UP>>>>>>and then there is your comment….here I stand still perplexed…
3) Now here he stands in the midst of a recession, one of the worst we have ever faced in the midst of so many stupid moves that cost us millions of dollars an expects us to believe that in a month to 2 months he turned us around by 20Mil to 30Mil dollars leading us from either a small deficit to a 25Mil surplus. Does he think we are ALL IDIOTS?
And for Big Mac here's a small snippet of Education…..
DO NOT HIKE FEES DURING A RECESSION…..IT COMPOUNDS THIS ISSUES AND INCREASES THE DEPTH OF THE RECESSION…..
So now I ask you to endow us with your wisdom on WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US CAYMANIANS…..Please share…..
Any Caymanian who believes whatever they are told don't want to know.
Mac is that you? It has the ring of your well crafted sentences.
Sir, or Madam, you plainly are yet to have your vision ‘corrected’ by a short sharp knock bout your head/finances/livelihood/security by the fist of the man who appears to so diligently undermine so many of the institutions intended to protect us. Take off your green tinted shades – and recognize the irreparable damage he has already done, and continues. What the Caymanian people need is a fair balanced environment in which to grow and compete and thrive. Not a twisted nightmare where rules do not apply and an invisible hand distributes our future to it’s friends from an all powerful font of benefit.
You may also wish to take a long hard look in the mirror as you contemplate the extent to which you have watched harm done to others and the Islands – made possible by your devotion to a man and system that is morally bankrupt.
Change (and renewed hope for our (mine AND your) future) soon come.
Is it really so hard to accept that you voted for the wrong person?
The premier might mean well, I will give him the benefit of the doubt on that subject.
Unfortunately, he is imcompetant.
It may well be his best, but unfortunately it is not nearly good enough. It is no consolation if he destroys the country but meant well.
Yeah, right he mean "well………….I give you a raise and you vote for me"
Mi wondas if im want gimme likkle rum too, fi go wid me cola.
No rum. I want all unna idjuts soba when I pull d nex trick out ma hat, so unna don't blame me again.
Another Bush attempt to get SOMEONE on his side…..
Allow them to sign petitions and then consider the 3.2%
18:08, but you really dont get it as yet. The Premier does not need to do athing to get anyone on his side. All he need to do is to sit and listen to the crap some of you people say about him, and continue communicating, and dealing with his people, not only those born ya, but them who gaw paper yaw too. They are the same as us now Caymanian now. At least I hope they think so, because if not then they they should realize applying for status was in vain.
Lets not forget that the Civil Service were on the whole quite well paid in any event and enjoy perks far better than those in the private sector. During the cost cutting exercise and public postering has any Government department actually suffered any actual redunancy or reduction in personel other than by natural wastage, retirement and non recruitment?
I would guess the answer is no – unlike the private sector. So this is obviously another cynical attemnpt at vote buying by a Premier, much that same as the 'Cash for Forgiveness' church scandal.
You guess wrong. We lost staff.
Nice try, though. Better luck guessing the next time.
Oh ye of little faith. Caymanians CS I hope you do not follow the words of 17:44, because obviously they do not want you to get back your 3.2%, when God knows you need it.
Mackeva Bush is Caymanian, born ya and bred ya, so he nuh going no way but yaw. All the others who are critizing him will pick up and quit, when they have made their millions and the Sh*(&*** start hitting the fan. So who will be left here to clean up, but us along with Mackeva Bush, whether he is Premier or not. This statement goes for all Caymanians, Born here or papered here.
To be fair that's what I would do in Mac's position – throw the Civil Service a few dollars to get them back to where they were and ensure you have X amount of voters back on side.
The problem is that you know, I know, the real world doubt that the money really exists to be able to do that. How on earth can Gov't go from at least 2 multi million dollar deficits to an apparant surplus based on the words of this man?
I'd bet my last dollar that the pay rise goes through then the deficit will be revealved again.
Will the NGO's, that receive government grants to do work that government does not be restored to their previous grant levels?
Many have for the second year have there grants cut with government insisting on the same results. All this while millions is being given to churches. If Mac has done the impossible job of restoring financil greantess to our country restore the funds to these NGOs that are run as nonprofits to help the Cayman People. Those that spend their time and talents askin no financial no reward to make these island better are becoming wondering if it is worth the effort the way Mac's govern\\ment has be freely speinding on things that help them while cutting funds to proven and accountable NGO's.
Surely this balance should be used to pay down some of the debt we have now incurred?
Three reasons that he won't pay down on the debt:
It would make sense
It would not buy all the CS votes
He couldn't blame all the debt on the PPM.
wow!
Turks and Caicos Islands' has Governor cut the civil service salaries by 10 percent. This Governor should do the same to all you ungrateful people who don't want to get back the 3.2 cut! Mac and Dart are for the people! The Governor is for UK interest and austere measures!
Mac is getting my 3.2 vote!
Rob the civil servants to make the books look good and then give it back to them? What sort of economic policy is this? It's all bonkers!
Congrats Mac, UDP and the hard working civil servants who made this possible.
I do hope this poster is being ironic?
Are’t these the same civil servants that have stopped him from accomplishing all his goals because of their red tape?
Great news for civil servants i guess – now can we work on the other issues?
BTW- CNS is looking like a political tabloid these days-can we get some 'real' stories covered please (there are also many positive ones around…)
Ponzi scheme or pyramid scheme just like Bernie Madoff. Instead of stealing from Peter to pay Paul, Mac steals from Peter to pay Peter!. Try using the excess money for paying off the debt and reducing interest rates. If you want to lower the cost of living them reduce the damn taxes you put on our economy that are choking us.
This is premature. The figures look better because certain spending has been deferred. Macmisick is cooking the books. Bring in the forensic boys. They will have a field day.
He can keep it, unless he coming with 5% or making a backpayment of the 3.2% owed from the last 14 months I am not impressed. This is not going to win my vote. Not good enough Mac.
Anyone know where that fuel duty reduction disappeared to?
It was donated to the Weslyan Holiness church in West Bay
Hmmm, it seems that the price of a vote is a bit higher that Mac estimated.
I wonder if the cost of a vote is factored into the island's cost of living statistics?
Ahhhh, thanks, but you do realize I'm still gonna vote you out in 2013 right?
It's too little too late, I'm not upset about the 3.2% which we volunteered for the good of the Country, what I'm upset about is what you used that money to do. How dare you Sir, how dare you reduce my hard earned pay to give handouts to your friends, cronies and Churches to try and buy yourself a few votes at the next election?
Shhhh, listen quitely, silent rivers run deep and this river call the Civil Service can't wait to wash you and the rest of the UDP out of office in a few months.
SPEAK FOR YOUR SELF!
Amen and amen!
You're going to vote him out? For who? Ezzard? Alden? LMAO… Cayman is in a mess, and not even the UK or Governor will do us justice!
Either Alden or Ezzard would be way better than McKeeva or any of his little fries.
Who are you going to get to replace him?
The 3rd world politics being played out before us has sadly attracted similar players leaving the expectations of an easily bought voter base, artificially low.
Good luck with that, I am out of here I ain't waiting with baited breath for the next muppet to appear.