Mac calls off tax meeting
(CNS): Monday night's meeting at which the premier had planned to talk to the public about the expat income tax was call off at the last minute in the face of a peaceful protest. Citing the disquiet in the community about the issue, McKeeva Bush cancelled the meeting, suggesting the protestors were being influenced by those that “meant the country no good”. The meeting has now been moved to his own constituency in West Bay on Wednesday evening, where Bush will be hoping that he can round up enough of his own supporters to undermine the planned rally by the protest group which has emerged in a matter of days via social media.
The Facebook group Caymanians and Ex-pats United Against Taxation was created by Nick Pitman in the wake of the premier’s announcement last week that he intended to tax the earnings of work-permit holders earning more than $20,000 per year by 10%. When CNS posted the story on its website, it got a record 800 comments as shockwaves over the suggestion ricocheted across the islands.
The growth in internet use in Cayman in recent times was further illustrated when Pitman’s page had reached some 9,000 members by the weekend. With foreign and local workers coming together, this has sent a clear and unequivocal message to the premier that this form of income tax is a step too far.
The group now has more than 10,200 members, and in the face of the planned protest that could have attracted thousands the premier cancelled the Monday evening meeting at the eleventh hour. In a short statement released from his office Bush said that after consultation with his Cabinet colleagues he had decided to postpone the meeting, which was meant to inform the public about this controversial move.
“There appears to be an ill-temper abroad that suggests we would not get the calm and measured discussion that these issues require,” he said. “There is too much influence being exercised on people’s minds by those who mean the country no good. Hopefully the disquiet they have generated will lessen enough that in a couple of days we can have a proper public reception and discussion of what we have to say."
The meeting will now take place on 1 August at the Sir John A. Cumber school hall at 7:30pm on Bush’s home turf.
However, members of the social media group intend to move their planned peaceful protest to the district in an effort to dissuade the premier from introducing the tax, which would be a fundamental shift for Cayman.
Although the tax is currently only targeted at foreign workers, it is clear most people recognise that it is merely step one and that once introduced direct taxation could quickly spread to all, including Caymanians, which would not only hurt the community directly in its pocket but could undermine the entire financial services sector.
Sources tell CNS that the premier hopes to raise some $50 milllion through this tax to plug the deficit in his government’s budget. However, many believe his estimates are far wide of the mark and that there are numerous other options which could bring in more revenue without resorting to direct taxation, such as a legal lottery or taking 2 cents from the US-Cayman dollar exchange.
Although Bush has pointed the finger at the UK pressurising him to introduce direct taxation, the governor’s office has sated that the UK has not yet approved this budget. In addition, London sources also state that the FCO’s economic advisor to Cayman has asked for further reductions in operating expenses and has not demanded payroll tax or any other tax but a form of sustainable revenue.
Although Bush persistently blames the opposition for the position the country is now in, the reason why the UK still needs to approve the CIG budget is because, despite promises over the last three years to reduce borrowing and operating expenses, the premier has continued to borrow in each and every budget and increased spending on public services.
Bush had said over and over again this year that the UK will not permit the Cayman government to increase its borrowing levels. Nevertheless, he submitted a budget to them for approval in June which not only included an overdraft facility of $27 million but around $50 million more in long term borrowing as well.
Category: Politics
Makeewa running scared!! If u can't tek de heat, get outta de kitchen!!
run Forest Gump run!!!!
Come on Rolstin, Mike and Mark. You are better than this bully and I bet you know that its WRONG for The Cayman Islands. Break away, cut yourselves loose and reform, you will get far more respect for that than anything you can possible do by hanging on to MacKeevas coat tails. We all expected better of you guys. I cannot believe you are sticking by this foolishness. So short sighted of you. Very disappointed in you.
Charles Clifford put it right last week on Rooster, he said that a Premier that has 3 police investigations hanging over his head is in no position to negotiate with the UK. He is negotiating from a very weak position. This is another reason why it is not appropriate for McKeeva to remain as Premier while he is facing 3 police investigations.
Gone back to W.B.? Ok, but as the saying goes, "you can run but you can't hide." We gone go W.B. too!
run, run and hide and please stay in West Bay. What we ALL need is a break from crippling prices for everything. The economy needs to be stimulated and govt. needs to cut back on spending NOW. We need to have a few dollars left out of our pay cheques to spend. I am tired of just being able to pay bills. Give us a break please. Take advice from financial experts such as Tony Travers. Stop trying to destroy these islands.
This photo says it all, no need for words. lol
As has been said hundreds of times already, the ‘expat tax’ surely must have been the worst alternative available for balancing the budget and to do so without any consultation with the representatives of the Financial Industry was reckless. Even if reason prevails and it is withdrawn, the damage done to the Industry that has been responsible for the economic success of Cayman and the reasonably large economic middle class who have enjoyed an enviable standard of living, might already be irreversible. Even though the Government refuses to call it an income tax, no one can deny it is a tax on income. Though it is proposed now as a tax on ‘only’ earned income, everyone (including international tax practitioners) immediately foresees that if Government sets up the mammoth and complex infrastructure to run a department to tax one type of income, it is easy to expand – and will need to do so to justify the cost of administering. But the even more significant structural damage to the very foundation of our success is that we can no longer say ‘we have no taxes on any form of income’. Obviously the Government does not realize the significance that played in the development of our financial industry and in fighting off the many international attacks it faced – there was nothing artificial or discriminatory about our ‘tax free’ status; it was not some exemption applying to just foreign investors and foreign owned companies established here.
But the announcement does need to be withdrawn, quickly. It is simplywrong. If (and that has still not been proven) it is necessary to impose a new source of Government revenue, Mr. Tim Ridley gave a much more acceptable solution several months ago, a reasonable ‘property’ tax. This was immediately shot down following an outcry from the real estate industry. Real estate salesmen did not account for the success of Cayman. Listen to the Financial Industry representatives.
The legitimate reason for government revenue is caused by people – it has to provide certain services for people who live and visit here. An income tax is one way to do this – but not in Cayman at this stage, after building a paradise on the absence of it. It is also too complex and taxes people just for working harder and earning more. And as for applying it to those from whom we already collect a large work permit tax, that is unjust. (Then to take away their entitlement to pension provisions is merciless.) User fees that cover the cost of providing the services we need from government are much better. (Why did the Premier disband the garbage collection fees???) A property tax (if needed to supplement our other general taxes like duties) could apply only to buildings or developed property, and those units already producing tourism occupancy tax could be exempted. Buildings owned and occupied by other non-residents (i.e. that are not in rental pools attracting tourism tax or rented out to local residents) could pay a lower tax, if it is really believed that such persons would be scared off by a small annual flat tax.
But as countless others have said, the first step is to hold and reduce the size of Government’s expenditure. There is a worldwide recession on. Businesses just cannot take up the extra budget padding, whether by bearing the burden of the 10% tax or otherwise. Why is the Budget going up, in this climate, and by such horrendous sums over this year’s, as have been touted? Surely it cannot be because there is an election next year. Get rid of all of the special give aways announced over the last few months and make reasonable trimming to everything else, starting with legislative expenses down.
It's obvious that this is a bait and switch as mentioned. A reason for everyone to get on board with the casinos. I personally agree with the casinos like I personally agree with the port. But we cannot afford either right now. There are dozens of ways to resolve our problems with the budget and Mckeeva is not concerned with that! He thinks that he is the end and be all of all people and that the the budget means NOTHING….that the UK haven't done anything about our deficit in recent years so why now.
Let's focus on the fact that Mac is playing games and in international public spotlight! This whole thing is a game! And our country looks desperate, dumb and corrupt all at the same time thanks to ONE MAN!!!!!! GET HIM OUT OF HERE. We should not be concerned about the budget itself passing our "higher government" but about our own welfare and capabilities as a people and as an economy!
This show has gone on long enough. I am positive we would be far better without a goverment at all than with Mac as leader.
I encourage all of you unemployed Caymanian lawyers (because there are so many, right? enough to take up all the jobs of expats who flee if this pretend tax were to go through right? is that what my ignorant counterparts have been suggesting??) to take it under you own will to investigate the wrongdoings of this madman and save our country!
….I was going to continue and offer alternatives but got tired. I'm just….tired of it…. this HAS to finally be THEE last straw for people, right?!
can't afford casinos????….. could not read futher after that……
casinos are free, no cost to government with hundreds of million of potential revenue to gov….
Not if the Chinese own it.
"…hundreds of million of potential revenue to gov.."
Not to mention lots of room for under the table kickbacks.
Just sayin'. This is just a theoretical "just suppose" comment because I know that Cayman is home to only god fearing good Christians who would never ever consider such shenanigans..
So this is what's meant by "burning Bush" in the good book.
McJerk.
i 'll have one mac-chicken to go please……
Y'all want fries wi that?
i feel like chicken tonight…chicken tonight…..
Cost of fuel to fill my car each week – CI$25. Cost of nice dinner for 2 out on the town in nice local restaurant – CI$75 – $100, if trying to impress the little lady. Cost to private sector employers for breaking legally binding employment contracts by implementing Government's proposal (if passed), to discontinue pension contribution benefits promised to employees and commence deductions of 10% income tax from their employee's salaries to pay Government's coffers instead – PRICELESS
Where are you getting fuel to fill a car tank for $25? Or is it a toy car?
SHHH! I can't let you in on my little secret gas station, where I get cheap gas ! There would be a run on it and there will be none left for me ! Seriously though, it does only fill half of my tank, but since I am forced to be a Scrooge these days and now only drive when absolutely essential to do errands, and I map out all my errands to make sure I drive in a straight line, make no unnecessary turn-offs or go round the roundabouts or drive up and down without a plan. So somehow I manage to make the half-tank of gas last the whole week. Thank God I don't live in East End, don't know how those poor folks do it !
Robbing Peter to pay Paul, in other words, is how my grandma would sum up this latest idiotic proposal of Government. What really is going to happen, is employers who wish to retain good employees will offer to pay the 10% tax and still pay pension contributions for them, or alternatively, lose that employee and watch their business suffer when valuable skills and experience migrate to a more welcoming country who might just happen to be a competing jurisdiction to Cayman. Either way their business will suffer – they either have to pay up and lose additional income in a harsh economic environment where hardly any business makes money these days , or lose their workers' invaluable services when they have to resign as they can no longer afford life in Cayman, which in turn means more hardship for the business that loses its workers. So either way, the private businessman loses all around, for the sake of feeding the welfare monster.
The Premier should give another mass status grant to Chinese nationals as they have the money to invest and are very qualified and capable workers, this would eliminate the need for taxes and this would balance the entire equation. We should open up to the Chinese let them come in and invest, work and live in this country they have the money and stop this foolishness of taxes. I say let in about 5,000 to 10,000 Chinese business people and professionals and see the positive impact on Cayman overnight.
Please stop smoking the Donkey Weed. It's messing with your head.
And there we have it folks ! This was all a brilliant master plan by UDP's propangandists, to push us to the brink of destruction, so that we would swallow CHEC coming here and bringing their hordes of workers and the casino they plan to build. And because we were pushed to the brink of Armageddon by the threat of Cayman coming to an end, we would now gladly welcome them with open arms, without batting an eyelash in protest. So this was the master plan all along. I get it now. Helium must have dreamed up this one. Too bad they couldn't control the outflow of news to the outside world and that this expat tax ruse that was announced, has made this place look utterly foolish and unstable. Unintended consequences, perhaps, but damage already done. Too bad for the ole world wide web, huh Helium? Them overseas reporters don't waste no time, you know?
Well, my employer had a staff meeting and advised that under better economic circumstances, he would happily increase his work-permit staff's pay by 10% and continue paying pensions (despite Government's proposal that pensions would not have to be continued for foreign workers), just so his employees would not be adversely impacted by having disposable income subjected to further strain in the face of ever increasing cost of living. He cannot conscientiously deduct tax whenhe knows we can ill-afford it and would rather pay it as the employer. However, in these harsh economic times when the business has already experienced losses due to a lingering recession and already paid out ever-increasing duties, health premiums, utilities, permit fees, etc, and over the past few years has already cut way back on operating expenses to ride out the recession, he cannot afford to increase anyone's pay to offset tax deductions. This is like a final nail in his coffin for his business which was just hanging on by a thread. He realizes he will lose specialist skills as he will not be able to afford to increase the pay, nor can he afford to lose specialist services which will be a death knell to his business. He realizes that neither can we, as staff, take anymore hits ourselves in the face of ever rising cost of living, as we have already tightened belt by not having had a raise for over 3 years despite rising cost of living, and in some cases volunteered to take a small paycut to help our company ride out the harsh times, helping in our own little ways as employees to find areas where we can help reduce operational costs by cutting out wastage or finding more efficient / productive ways of doing things – simply because we know there is a truth to the saying – if our employer does well, we will do well. For the avoidance of any doubt, this employer is one of the best employers on island, with no black mark against it at the labor board or immigration board, no reports or complaints of any worker abuse – whether local or foreign – simply put, one of the best employers to work for as ALL are treated well and not exploited like some are on this island. So I guess both employer and employee are now in the same boat – we all will be out of a job / business soon, whether expat or local, doesn't really matter – we are now all affected. And you have your own government to thank for that. Thanks Cayman, it was nice knowing you.
I was in Cayman a while and I thought your colourful Cayman chickens were very funny, running around all the time squawking loudly, leaving droppings everywhere and scrambling away in a flurry of flying feathers the moment someone stopped to so much as look at them for a second. The thing I didn't know was that one was elected to your highest public office. Now that's funny.
My friends….Bush is too dumb to come up with a ploy like bait and switch. On another note I hope all expats understand more fully that Caymanians who protest the other things here like West Bay Road Closure, CHEC, East End Dock etc. do this because we know what is going on and we know whats best for Cayman as a whole, including whats best for you. I hope you will all stand with us in the future too!
As an ex-pat I think critically about each project and don’t believe that Caymanians “know what’s best for ex-pats” In a true democracy no group can claim that right, and each project will succeed or fall on well argued merits. There are plently of ex-pats who do contribute to these national discussions, many in their professional roles or via well known professional associations – working to bring their own knowledge and experience to the issues.
And ex-pats do stand with you when it makes sense. The reality is though that ex-pats also understand the need for inward investment to build infrastructure, and that sometimes this means making sacrifices if you want that investment. They also understand when projects are screw-ups in the making – for instance the east end port was just non-sensical and I don’t think anyone saw it as a realistic project. I’d say the majority of ex-pats I’ve spoken to believe the payroll tax is a monumental screw-up – to the point even of being an extinction level event for the Cayman Islands economy – so the response has been much louder
Oh the other hand – Many ex-pats understand that things like the road closure are beneficial for the country and are reasonable actions to promote investment to benefit all of the island (relocate X feet of road for Y amount of investment). The port has divided people simply because there seems to be a complete failure to define what the project actually includes and to demonstrate why this option is the best – I think most people want a new port and support the notion of building one – the process has just been totally mismanaged.
So yes, continue to fight for what you believe, and certianly ask us to help – supported with your arguements- you when it’s needed, but don’t expect us to blindly follow you because “you know best” (do Caymanians have one single minded voice to follow? – that would be news to me) . You can’t honestly expect to recruit and retain the best offshore talent in such a system, can you?
I protested with you against all of these projects and will continue to support you whenever I see something which I agree is best for Cayman as a whole. We're not all out for ourselves, contrary to the thinking of a small element who post here.
He might be dumb as you say, but his handlers sure are savvy and they are the ones controlling things behind the scenes, the might puppetteer, or puppet master, or vanishing houdini, or the neck that turns the head, or whatever you choose to call the ones really yanking his chains and calling the shots behind the scenes, you know the few that benefit the most and stand to gain the most from all that is going on in Cayman. It is time to keep a close eye on those ones, who throw their money behind their power and try to exert undue influence to get things done their way, to their benefit, to the loss of everyone else. Anyone comes to mind, in particular?
There it is: plain and straight…"A tax is defined as a "burdensome charge", whilst a fee is a payment for a service or for a privilege"." – http://www.ieyenews.com
Such a COWARD: Just TAX all Billionairs on the Island the 20% and this will solve his spending problem. But no; he would be scoulded by yours truely. WHAT A ##@@!!xx COWARD.
Well, I stop taking taxi and will take the bus now. Tired of these taxs.
Run Forrest. Run!
We can't even get Mr Bush to show up for a meeting he instigated. A great example of the way he communicates with the people.
I agree with the poster earlier who said this seems to be a bait and switch scheme – like, "okay, you all don't want expat tax introduced, so we have no choice but to legalize gambling as we have to raise the money somehow.". I feel this might be what they wanted all along, but like with the E/End cargo port which stirred up opposition and then suddenly turned into the location for the Shetty Hospital, this is just smoke & mirrors to distract the people, make them think Cayman is coming to an end, so that the people will finally accept legalized gambling. When you look at CHEC's drawings, the large unidentified grey area is said to be where the large casino will go and which will directly compete with the cruise lines. Not to mention the large retail area that will put the final killer nail in GT'n coffin. This expat tax is probably a ruse by Government to appease their Chinese friends and assure them that the gambling aspect will remain in the proposed port and nothing will prevent it. But what this inept government does not realize, is that the U.K. still has to approve this CHEC deal, and if it does not pass muster, it must go back to public tender as the UK have already said. Furthermore, the damage done to Cayman's international reputation by this announcement of expat-only tax, is tremendous, and just reinforces in people's minds that this place is a third world banana republic that is unstable and can change whim every which way the wind blows, but our leaders don't seem to realize that their words are broadcast internationally within minutes these days. No serious international investor or business will want to come set up shop here, except maybe for CHEC and the already present Dart who both stand to benefit the most, along with the political party who facilitates them. Well Cayman, you get what you elect – time to elect wiser and more educated people next time.
FORBES, one of the biggest financial brands in the world agree MAC is an idiot!
http://www.forbes.com/sites/danielmitchell/2012/07/31/heres-why-the-cayman-islands-is-considering-fiscal-suicide/
So true. I certainly hope someone sits the Premier down and try to explain what his stupid tax will cause to this country.
Moved the meeting to West Bay home base? Chicken! Coward!
How's this for our new protest slogan for all our signs, banners, etc.:
NO NO NO,
NO TO MAD MAC'S
INCOME TAX!!
Mac is hoping that fewer of us will show up in West Bay. Let us show him that we are serious about this issue and show up in record numbers to protest this unfair tax.
A Caymanian family.
Typical of him. He is a bully who can dish it out but runs like a fairy girl when anyone stands up to him! He is a wimp. And now he is running to West Bay in hope that his cronies will stand up for him. WHAT A COWARD!
Mr Bush, please read and overstand:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/danielmitchell/2012/07/31/heres-why-the-cayman-islands-is-considering-fiscal-suicide/
Thank you for the link to this article and I especially like reading the intelligent and insights and opinions, just wish the contributors on CNS would debate the facts in such a manner. Again thanks very much.. by the way is the the editor of the report one half of the team that wrote the Miller-Shaw report for the Government?
My pleasure. I don't believe the article writer had anything to do with the Miller Shaw report. He is a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute and Forbes is one of the industry leading financial publications – very well respected.
Mac on the Run from his bad policies.
The only thing Mac runs is his mouth.
Cayman – aren't you even a little embarassed that you have to ask your guests to pay your bills for you? National pride comes from being able to support yourselves and live within your means. I'd be horrified if my home country put the burden of paying for itself onto its guest workers. Absolutely horrified.
national pride???? look at their politicians…..
It really doesn't sound like anyone's asking.
The problem is when it comes to money, too many Caymanians have no shame.
The fact that people with good jobs ask for what amounts to welfare from the government because they think they deserve to live above their means shows you some people have no shame whatsoever. The reason they think they deserve this is because of a misplaced sense of national pride.
Many Caymanians think they are better than other people simply because they were born Caymanian. This doesn't apply to all Caymanians, because there are many hard working people across all spectrums of society who take responsibility for their personal finances. But there is a large, significant portion of Caymanians who are slackers (to put it nicely) and a good many of them work in civil service. These are the people who complain loudest and the ones who politicians listen to.
There are also some young Caymanians who are being denied the opportunity to show what they can do. The problem here is that too many companies have seen young Caymanians come back from college who expect quick promotions simiply because they are educated Caymanians, but who are not willing to put in the hours and work that could earn them that promotion. This isn't an isolated occurrence. Enough Caymanians have done this in the past to taint the views of business owners/managers.
Maybe a complete economic collapse is the best thing for Caymanians. Two or three decades of austerity like the Bahamas had will likely change expectations and work ethic. I'm not sure what else can change the trend that I see now.
"you" plural is most certainly not appropriate here!!!! "my home country" is also not the ONE doing this. THIS IS ONE MAN. Please do not assume that this is the thoughts and wishes of the Caymanian people because while the majority of comments you see on here that you pay attention from Caymanians are ignorant, believe me, that is NOT the majority. STAND WITH US PLEASE. WE NEED YOU.
When I see as many Caymanians protesting as there are expats, then I'll believe that we are all in this together. With such a disasterous turn out for their own referendum recently, I don't hold out too much hope. Please prove me wrong, because you absolutely need us, remember we can go home or find pastures new, where are you going to go when your economy and society collapses?
Poor old Ms Vienna did not even move as fast the time that those bad boys put cow itch on her – as Mac retreated to West Bay once he heard that he might have to discuss the issues with sensible people…
The Mac has moved the meeting to the UDP garrison!!!
Yep, I have said before that this is a gambling bait & switch.
When has Mac ever had a calm and measured discussion with anyone? It is always a one sided rant from him. However, I WILL be there to protest this most divisive and unfair tax.
A Caymanian.
I observe that Mac is scared silly and has run home to the cozy shelter of those who are dependent on his handout of our tax dollars…
Mr. Bush, you have failed not only our country but our people. Introducing taxation due to un-needed government spending and your own failure to produce a budget on top of selling one of cayman’s most treasured stretch of road along with giving Dart unexplainable concessions is definately not winning yourself any votes. Real salt of the earth politicians like Mr. Jim and Mr. Haig would be outraged at your lack of intelligence and destructive ways.
Sincerly,
A born and grown CAYMANIAN
PS: read the forbes artice about out country committing “fiscal suicide”, the stupidity of our government has been brought to the light of international media.
The longer it takes the Premier to answer this call of a peaceful protest makes me wonder, whether he really wants brilliant alternatives or want to stick in his proposal…
Changing the venue will bring in more problems… You don't need none of your crowd to explain your proposal …
How can you have people listening to you when you are not ready to listen to them…
Keep running Mac, you wont reach far anyway.
Aye , Thank You
I see your first item is blank. It probably read: "Is named McKeeva", or something like that.
I contacted Mr. Henry Bellingham and have received this in an e-mail from his P.A.:
The following e-mail address: PSBellingham@fco.gov.uk is the correct address for Mr. Bellingham at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
Please let your voice be heard fellow Caymanians! It's time to stand up for our country and we cannot do it alone!
Well if we don't get any replies from the 'correct' address, at least we know where we can get replies from!
What really frightened Mac was the number of Caymanians that have come out to oppose this tax. He was relying on them being too short-sighted or anti-expat to see this for what it really is, but he has underestimated his own constituents and their sense of fairness. Good for you Cayman!
What a Cowardly little man!…and his little gang of mouthpieces too.
Such a meeting…of such importance should be in the Capital…GT.
But, rest assured we will be in WB too.
This tax is discriminatory, unfair and divisive to our community. Cut expenditures!
A born and bred caymanian.
Declare war then run home and hide amongst all the other children. Perfect!
Next comes the crying. Or is it the blame thing? Thats right blame comes first then the crying. Honorable leadership Cayman style. Everyone knows what happens next right? Mommy spanks him and takes away all the toys.
I am an obvious "ex pat" – clearly not born here, though I've been here with my family for over 20 years and have status. The sad thing is, that when I attended government input meetings, in good faith and hoping to understand, contribute and be part of the community where I live, I was shouted down, insulted, subjected to vicious anger, before I said a word. Just my sitting there enraged a certain element to the point of fury. I went twice, over the years, to community planning meetings organized by government, but left in tears and never went again. "Ex-pat" bashing also caused me to stop listening to talk radio here. It made me so sad I considered moving away, but decided not to let the hatefullness win – that's allowing the bad to drive out the good, and there is so much good here.
My worry is that the well-meaning people, who came here, with optimism and excitement to work and live in a new community, will be repulsed by a pack of UDP cronies shouting offensive xenophobic and angry words. This is not the Cayman we want or need. I urge those who intend to come to his meeting in support of the UDP to be polite, dignified and behave as representatives of your country. And, I would also encourage those newer expats, planning to attend, to please bear in mind that these loudest and most racist attacks don't represent the majority of Caymanians.
This idea of taxing "only expats" is divisive, disruptive, wrong and possibly illegal. It impacts young workers unfairly and the protest meeting is important. Both sides need to make sure it's a peaceful exchange of views. As an old-timer, II have a message for young, surprised expats – hang in there. This is bad, but it will get better. Focus on all the positives, and let's assume that this ridiculous idea will be squashed by the more reasonable powers at play here. Apologies for suich a long post.
No need to apoligize. Your right on. I have had the same experiences over the past 30+ years. 23 on year-to-year work permits.
As a Caymanian I would like to apologize to you and all others that have been subjected to the ‘anti-expat’ attitude. As a island that was known for it’s friendly and welcoming people we should be ashamed of what we have become. Ex-pats are NOT the problem. We Caymanians have become our own worst enemy.
I don’t know what is going to happen to these islands. But I do know that if we do not stop with the Ex-pat bashing and drop the entitlement attitude we will continue down the path of destruction.
Again, I apologize to those that have been mocked, insulted and ridiculed by my fellow Caymanians. I am truly ashamed at our behavior.
I hope all those rude Expat friends of yours will now apologise to Caymanians for the highly offensive remarks on Facebook, blogs, etc about them. There was absolutely NO need for the rush or outburst by Expats against the 'proposed' tax. Rather you should have gone to CIG with proposals/ideas. Your actions have only highlighted the issue to the whole world and now Expats and Caymanians will sufffer for the consequences, as I am VERY sure that very few expats would have carried out with threats to leave. All they have done is to add fuel to the fire!!! This is NOT the way to behave when you are in a country other than your own.
Wrong, many many were going to leave and many still will Bush has shown his cards and frankly as an expat, I have been kicked around too much. How much would Caymanians have complained if the tax was just on them and not expats? think about that.
As for highlighting the issue? what planet are you on? If you don't want bad press try not to act in a shameful way in the first place, then there would be nothing to report on.
But it is always easier to shoot the messenger, especially if the have few powers.
The only power an expat has is to leave, and you complain when they do? I bet you want to bring in slavery for all furriners, then you can treat them like excrement and they can't leave.
I urge everyone against the taxation propsoalto make an effort to attend the meeting tomorrow. Don't let this tyrant get away with moves like this.
"we would not get the calm and measured discussion that these issues require,"
This is comical. I think that Wed. they should record Mac's address to the people in West Bay. If it is like his usual it will be a shouting, yelling diatribe against the Devils and Donkey Faces that do not agree with him.
I urge all who planned to protest on Monday to come out on Wed. and bring a friend. Be peaceful and behaved do not be drawn in by Mac's hooligans that will try to get you to do otherwise.
We can show him that right will win out over dictatorial wrong.
Our worst Premier has crossed the line. He runs to West Bay thinking he can fool the same people all over again. Dog ate your supper on this one. You violated article 21 of the UN's Human Rights Charter on One Man One Vote and the UK turns a blind eye but they won't do it this time. Stay in West Bay.
Mac, let's get this straight, your time for discussion is over! You never had the decency to come to the public and ask for input. Like all dictators you just shout, rant, rave and blame others and while doing so impose your stupid ideas on the populace at large. You and your political advisors are as dumb as hell and we are tired of your charade. Imagine, you want to have a discussion after the fact. You are absolutely crazy. And to say people's minds are being influenced by people who mean the country no good is rediculous. You have been the sole catalyst for the public's discord. Now do us all a favour and shut up, cut the government's expenses and your slush fund and just ride out the final days you all have left in office. We intelligent West Bayers are going to retire you for good this time around. No use of you retreating here as your support is fast drying up here too.
"…suggesting the protestors were being influenced by those that “meant the country no good”.
Poor misconceived fool. We are influenced by nothing but common sense – something you don't seem to possess. Move the meeting where you want, we will still come. The only thing that means the country no good, are your hair-brained schemes and proposals, and this one ices the cake – the final nail in the coffin, the straw that broke the camel's back. You are killing the future for Cayman and its people, anybody with an ounce of common sense can see that.
I really hope this ridiculous stunt will only bring out more people in the hopes of educating those opposed to this proposal. We only want to brainstorm and offer alternative solutions.
This is our home, our children's home and our grandchildren's home. Why not come together, keep the peace and be united? We all want the same outcome for this country, don't we?
This shouldn't be about Expat vs. Caymanian, or the wealthy vs. the poor. We are better than that. We are more educated than that. Let's not stoop to his level and remember why we are all here.
Dear Mr Premier,
Why don’t you do something that you have never done before – LISTEN TO YOUR PEOPLE – across the board – not just the ones you know you can rely for agreeing with everything you say in lieu for paying their CUC bills (or paving their driveways) but “normal” members of the public! Most of us, as a nation, no matter where we come from, are able to debate certain issues without losing it and “throwing our toys out of our prams”, so STOP making decisions on your own, not putting them to cabinet and passing them by yourself “because you can”! This is becoming more and more like a dictatorship! You would have had a chance to listen to peoples’ views and suggestions last night but oh no, I forgot, because you would have come up against people who are not prepared to be walked over and would not bow down and agree with you, you cancelled – very admirable – lead by example – I think not in your case! What a further waster of government’s money arranging for the RCIPS to attend and for you to cancel last minute dot com. Why am I not surprised!
News of this ridiculous suicide has gone round the globe, and this just one comment from Daniel Mitchell, senior fellow at the Cato Institute writing for Forbes:
” If the Cayman Islands adopts an income tax – regardless of whether they call it a community enhancement fee (to misquote Shakespeare, a rotting fish on the beach by any other name would still smell like crap), it will be just a matter of time before the burden of government spending becomes even more onerous and Cayman loses its allure and drops from being one of the world’s 10-richest jurisdictions.”
Be warned – it’s not just the ex-pats and some educated Caymanians that realise that this will not be a good move for Cayman. I suggest the Premier re-think this “tax” before sinking this ship faster than it is already going down.
Sorry Mac but your support is very rapidly dwingling even in West Bay. Looks like the only place you'll be able to have a meeting soon is Caymana Bay.
LOL – what’s up with this latest move?
Is Big Mac planning to have a police check point at West Bay Fosters and turn anyone without a West Bay address away?
Or Wednesday evening are Mac and his supporters planning to ambush non West Bayers and pelt them with conch shells and bottles like back in the old days?
Welcome to the Wild Wild West. Yee haw.
All voters need to insist that this man be removed from office.
Immediately.
The whole point of a public meeting is to have everybody able to attend, if he is scared of an intelligent debate, then have a close private meeting instead.
To me if the government is trying to do what really is the best solution for the debt the country is in, I see no reason why the government and its "leaders" should feel threaten by the people that shows up to the meeting, specially if those attending have already express that it would be a peaceful protest.
Now, how much of this tax will really help out the country when the government uses its money for endless project (like the still being built highschools)… Are we going to see a diference in the country or in their pockets?
Funny how those who have the highes salaries (leader and MLA) will not give back to the country, but everybody else has to be on it and expats don't even get anything back, other than high cost of living and higher work permit fees and people still thinking of them like if they are here to steal their jobs.
I say "do not be afraid" and "let's stand up for our rights"… If we don't do it today, we will regret it tomorrow… I will be there to fight the good fight for ALL THE PEOPLE in this country.
So sad. He is the one that is turning this around. The meeting was supposed to be a peaceful gathering to offer positive solutions that will better the community. Postponing the meeting last minute and having it in your own backyard gives the impresssion that you don't have the answers to questions that are being posed by your fellow countrymen.
Sorry McKeewa, you aren't giving usmuch hope of your stance on this issue.
I thought he said some time ago:
"They will not deter me"
"I will stay the course"
"I am in good form"
"My hands are clean and my heart is pure"
Also: "calm and measured discussion" – you mean like he tried with the Governor on Rooster yesterday?
I believe it was Bush's colleagues that advised him not to have the meeting because they didn't trust Bush going off script and getting heated under the collar when he looks at the protesters. I guess they figured all he would do is call them names and insult them to no end (as he usually does with anyone who disagrees with him).
I also believe one of the posters here who mentioned that this may just be a ploy to introduce a casino for CHEC. I would support a legal lottery (say weekly drawings), but i do not support a casino in Cayman.
The refusal to face a peaceful demonstartion of an alternative view to his own is probaly the most worrying development to date. It is a short step from refusing to acknowledge opposition to refusing to allow it.
Next we'll see the Housing Fund being used to build a bunker under the Presidential Palace in West Bay.
Firstly, may I please clarify that the members of Caymanians and Ex-pats United Against Taxation (“CEUAT”), both expats and Caymanians alike, had and still have no intention of attending this meeting to cause disruption. The intention of CEUAT is to come together in a civilized environment and put forward fiscally and socially acceptable solutions for our country's current financial position. We don’t need time to simmer down…we need answers.
Why are we being made out to be a pack of wolves on the hunt for the premier? This is NOT the case!
We are all residents of this island and as a Caymanian I will proudly stand beside the expats and voice my concerns. Consider this: our government, current and past, has irresponsibly squandered public funds. Any of us can go on for days giving examples of such instances. Now, as a quick fix to this mess they have created, they propose to tax those people who have no voice to speak out, in hopes of recovering monies lost through their reckless spending. How is this just and fair? Why should the people of this country, Caymanian or not have to pay for the malfunctions of our government? Not only is this proposal unsupported, it is fundamentally and sincerely wrong. Far better suggestions have been put forward on the Facebook page for CEUAT and if due consideration is given, one would see that this unprincipled tax proposal is not the approach that should be taken.
Those Caymanians who have come forward on the Facebook page, standing in the light for all to see them representing what is right, have made me proud to be a Caymanian.
Discriminatory, ethically biased proposals such as this, brought forward by the “our” Premier, on the other hand, make be ashamed to be Caymanian.
Heat to much for Mac. What a shock. Take it to the republic west bay and be sorrounded by your posse. Dun worry we still come.
No they don't want to be taxed, but laugh and call caymanians lazy when they complain about not having a job!! We take our licks by beingunemployed so now take yours. peace out
Thanks for everyone that came out last night, great turn out. This just gives everyone more time to regroup and show up on Wednesday. Don't be afraid to come out and peacefully ask the tough questions that need to be asked.
no problem!…. we will humilate you and take you down in your own backyard then!
I'm sorry as a Caymanian i DONT understand why Expats is having and issue with paying this tax each and every one of them has left there own country where they had to pay taxes as the saying goes if you go to Rome u do as the Romans do so. If you cant accept what has been put in place you would just have to fine another country where you dont have to pay taxes.
I stopped reading your comment when i got to "I don't understand"…nuff said.
"Rome u do as the Romans" yes and if the Romans are not taxed you would not be except to be either. That is the point. It is discriminatory.
If I went to Rome I would find I have to pay tax on the same basis as the Romans! I cannot think of a single modern country in the world where the guest workers pay tax but the locals do not.
As a Caymanian you have the right to a Britsih passport and to reside in the UK. You do not pay any tax for that right, but if you did want to reside in the UK you would have to pay the same tax as other Britions – indigneous citizens – and not some special tax designed just for you because you have no right to vote. But this is all rather irrelevant – the real game plan here is not for the expats to pay tax in isolation, but to force the FCO to take the unpopoular measures of imposing tax and/or civil service cuts, so Caymanian politicians responsible for the mess can shrufg their shoulders and avoid responsibility for the consequences. If there is a payroll tax you will end up paying it alongisde the expatys, my friend, which will at least be fair.
Th is man has the IQ of a "CONCH".
A conch thinks without moving. Mac moves without thinking.
Does this mean West Bay supports the tax?
lol
That's my MAC!
No point deductions for retaining that Honourable Title here, – you're doing a fine job Sir, just fine.
Come on Mac..not like you to run…things must be getting too hot!!
Ha!! That's a laugh! Everything he does is from the safety of WB or in closed quarters!
He's best at lobbing and ducking.
He's not running, just angling to create a situation which involves civil unrest in the hope that it will generate support for his racist, dictatorial behaviour
By run I assume yo mean jump into his bullet proof chauffeur driven SUV that we bought and paid for, right?
If you see the Rooster running! sixty sexy chickens chasing him!
Very appropriate..Haven't heard that song in a long time..Does anyone know who sang it? Would love to try to find a copy of it
It's actually only 16 sexy chickens…although in thios case in could be sixty thousand or more expats and Caymanians chasing him…lol
The song is sung by Dave Martins of the Tradewinds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwqZfEwn5gU
Angela, is that you poking fun at MAC??…lol
Who are the sexy chickens chasing the mad march hare? Just thought someone lost a screw somewhere.
DisHonourable Premier-wuss was scared by peaceful protest? Ah, diddums. Didn't like the idea of intelligent debate with people who see through lies, more like. Run home to West Bay & please never come out.
It's my ball and I'm going home. . . surely not from a Minister of Finance though ? – what self riducle; bringing lots of head shrug smiles though.
This whole fiasco is to set up a BAIT N SWITCH to introduce GAMBLING instead of the TAX proposal. MAC has promised his CHINESE friends a CASINO(SEE LARGE UNIDENTIFIED AREA ON FIRST LEVEL OF CHEC PORT PLANS).
Somehow I don't believe that the CRUISE LINES would be very happy with this. Why do you think CHEC said they did not need to go to the cruise lines to negotiate minimum passenger guarantees? A CASINO THIS LARGE would not only be in DIRECT COMPETITION with the cruise lines(the hand that feeds us), when combined with the excessive retail component already in the CHEC plan it would definitely be the end of George Town!
I have nothing against a well planned introduction of licensedgambling/lottery to assist our revenues and tourism product, but we cannot afford to let something this lucrative for Cayman be implemented and controlled by such a questionable entity(CHEC/UDP).
A genuis idea I read the other day from a comment on one of these strings, (inter)national lottery with a prize being a Cayman passport or some from of citizenship for overseas ticket purchasers
A mention that at least 3 000 000 peolple in Jamaica alone buying tickets, best post in a long time
I think your are correct. The term "Machiavellian" comes to mind when I observe McKeeva and his very obtuse positions and plans.
Hidden agendas seem to rule Cayman.
“The study of money… is one in which complexity is used to disguise truth or to evade truth, not to reveal it… With something so important, a deeper mystery seems only decent.”
All Protesters are invited to West Bay (don't pay attention to the fact that the road going in will be wider than it is coming out).
Welcome to GAZA.
Silly.
Anyone wonder why it will be harder to get out, than to get in??
UDP stooges will be at the side of the road noting the plate numbers.
Be afraid, very afraid.
typical. have it in west bay lol. why have it there???? its like he affraid to go have it where people are not in support of it . basically any where else in cayman, lol. too funny.
This meeting should be at Truman Bodden Sports complex. It is central and lots of parking for all thos who want to attend. This meeting should NOT be in West BAy!!!
I think it should be Log Woods or Birch Tree Hill West Bay,
COWARD
Coward and instigator. At least, he is on the run. Keep pressing. Most in West Bay don't like him either. Don't be fooled. They are hungry too.
Bit of etiquette required here. Never call a COWARD a COWARD.
COWARDS hate being called that.
I know
Yah. Coward! Who was it say you can run but you cant hide?