The schizophrenia of it all
The proposed payroll tax exposed a serious tear in the fabric of our community which we scramble to conceal — but it is not new. It has sat, insipid and growing, covered by a thin blanket of civility and economic convenience for several years. It is not a product of term limits, nor is it the product of irrational xenophobia on the part of the majority of Caymanians, or even arrogance on the part of most expatriates. It is like most things that are wrong in Cayman, the result of an intentional lack of enforcement (or occasionally ignorance) of laws.
We already have the cure for the disease. It is found in a matrix of legislation designed and intended to temper extreme views and prevent circumstances that otherwise cause rational persons to start to lose their cool.
The ignorance, real or pretend, is allowed to exist because, absent enforcement, the consequences of breach have no consequence. There is real suffering by both Caymanians and expatriates as a result.
Government always knew the tear was there, and partly of its own making. Slapping numerous coats of "Caymankind" over it was not enough. Attempting to assuage an increasingly angry electorate by slapping taxes on expatriates backfired. It backfired because it was mad, because it was discriminatory, because it would not work, and because Caymanians want to be able to have a fair shot (perhaps including a leg up) in their own land but not to see innocent individual expatriate friends, neighbours and colleagues singled out and punished for trying to live good productive lives amongst them.
For government to call for the private sector to employ more Caymanians even while it contorts the immigration law past breaking in its exuberant extollation of the benefits of unbridled growth is insane. Growing or even maintaining the size of an expatriate population whilst the demands (in terms of jobs incapable of being filled by Caymanians) no longer exist in our economy can and will only result in unemployment. To suggest a 5% fine where there are jobs available for unemployed Caymanians that are filled by expatriates is laughable. If we are enforcing the immigration laws, no such positions can exist.
It is OK though, because when too many of us Caymanians complain about being overtaken in our own land by outsiders, we can have another status gold rush — turning expatriates into Caymanians will solve the problem. Ain't that so Mac? You can always raise work permit fees (again) to make up the fact that the new Caymanians won't have to pay them anymore.
I’ll move to the Brac.
Category: Viewpoint
The title of this article is offensive in the 21st cetnury as it evidences a hackneyed misunderstanding of what schizophrenia is.
No it doesn’t! Yes it does! No it doesn’t!
Oh dammit – I don’t know, but I am sure no offense was intended and any taken, sincerely regretted.
I sincerely hope that first line was not an offensive joke, but sadly I think that was the intent. It is ignorance about mental health and the horrific views of people that this poster who think serious medical conditions can be the basis for "humour" that is so so prevalent in "modern" Cayman. This sorted of attitude is as abysmal as racism and sexism.
I reject the notion that there's a " serious tear in the fabric of the community" caused by a deep hatred between Caymanians and expatriots. Sure, there's a few nasty, ignorant, most often poorly educated, xenophobic individuals in both camps: the Caymanian contingent were on show (and an appauling show it was) at the Premier's recent ranting sessions at the Mary Miller Hall. Unfortunately, during the damaging period of the expat' tax debacle, the Premier appeared to deliberately prod, poke, and provok the Caymanian xenophobes into shameful vocieferations. But these bigots do not constitute the MAJORITY opinion in Cayman, and neither do the voices of bigotted expatriots. I contest that those with xenophobic attitudes and opinions make up a tiny minority of Cayman society, and, of course, they should be treated with the contempt and ignorance they deserve.
Ah, yes Annie. I welcome you to the Brac! Unfortunately, the same political garbage that you have on Caymanspills over on the Brac too. The hanky panky with the work fees is the same here.
The better term is “the Caymans”.
Perhaps "Cayman" means all three islands in most places, but we Brackers commonly use "Cayman" for Grand Cayman and "Little" for Little Cayman. Next time I will try to remember to use the entire name to avoid confusion.
enjoy the brac!…i'm sure you'll be back soon….
Very true that the rift/tear in the harmony between Caymanians and Expats is in large part a product of Politicians and lack of enforcement of those responsible for the rule of law.
The pervasive Entaitlement Mentality of many of us Caymanians…and the arrogance of too many of our upper class Expats coupled with a real lack of education of what makes this small island nation revenues/operate has for too long been allowed.
However there are also many of us Caymanians and Expats who do want harmony and equality…and we had better continue to make our voices heard!
If your going to make your voice heard, don't post an Anonymous comment. 😉
anon 1626 if you are a civil servant and want to test if you have the right to talk sign your name.
Unemployment if high already.
As is stupidness!
I heard it loud and clear. As did you. If you do not want to be known as a fool, post anonomously.
If one does not want to be known as a fool, it may be better to spell the word "anonymously" correctly.