Cash handouts won’t help
(CNS): Two of government’s backbench MLAs made it clear Monday that they and their colleagues will not be digging into their pockets to help constituents through handouts from their salaries but will be working on broader policies to address the many issues facing a significant number of people in Cayman at present. Although Al Suckoo and Joey Hew both said they recognised the hardships that people across Cayman are suffering, $50 handouts won’t help people in the long run. Policies that will grow the economy and give everyone the opportunity to help themselves will be far better for the country as a whole than continuing the handout culture, they said.
Speaking on Radio Cayman’s Talk Today show on 7 July, the MLAs made it clear that, while they may be well paid by many people’s standards, most of the politicians who were elected to government this time around had earned far more in their previous careers and had gone into politics to make a change and not for the salary.
Referring to certain expectations of voters that, once in office, their MLAs will give physical handouts to help with light bills or other pressing financial difficulties, the two new parliamentarians said that their salaries were not sufficient to help everyone who was now in need but it didn’t mean that they would not be doing what they could in other ways to help their constituents.
“Ministers are still doing clinics and we will help wherever we can,” said Hew, who represents the people of George Town. “We all want to help; that’s why we ran for office in first place.”
He explained that by spending their time working with their ministers to develop broader policies to address the many difficulties the economic situation has created will mean that they can help more people, rather than giving hand outs to individuals or trying to deal with every specific one-off problem that is presented to them as MLAs
“We are not saying that we can’t deal with requests,” Suckoo, who was elected in Bodden Town, said. “Everyone’s need is important and we are not ignoring people but the best way to help is to develop the broader policies and for us to meet the promises made on the campaign trail, as dealing with each and every individual case won’t allow us to deal with the policy changes that are needed to help everyone.”
The two men discussed a number of issues on the government radio’s lunch time show Monday and said the new administration was now getting settled in but there was much work to be done. Promising big things to come from the PPM government, they said it had been very well received by the private sector, from which there had been an outpouring of support and offers to assist. The men also said the new government had been warmly welcomed in the government building, with the civil service offering much appreciated support.
“We have had a lot to do just getting started,” Hew said. “From the outside it might not look like much is happening but a lot is going on with a lot of things underway. We will soon be saying more but we need to get our heads wrapped around everything that needs doing as we only have four short years to get it all done,” he added.
Category: Politics
What do you say we tell the ex-pat foreign investors, workers and business people that we ran off over the last five years that we were just joking, invite them back, and ask them to start spending money here again so we can all get jobs? How about that? Maybe then we won't need welfare, and we might get a bit of pride back. Or maybe not – maybe the rollover is doing just fine.
Someone "trolled" me!!! Musta been someone who don't like "ex-pat foreign investors, workers and business people". No wait, they don't like Caymanians who DO like "ex-pat foreign investors, workers and business people". Or maybe it's ex-pats who don't like turtle stew. Oh hell, I don't know…
Blame Mckeeva for this situation, he created this welfare mentality. Al & Joey are correct in saying what they said. Caymanians were always known as workers, we were stereotyped by a few expats that felt threatened by Caymanians taking away their jobs. Just look at the Advertisements, they put in all kinds of requirements for a simple job, look at the salary advertised, they are making it very difficult for a Caymanian to even apply for the job. You are either not qualified or over qualified for the simple job. It sends a clear message, they do not want to hire Caymanians and I think these are the areas that the labour force and immigration needs to investigate and clear up. If you apply for a supermarket job today, you must know spanish, mandarin or russian. I went to a restaurant last night and every worker there were foreign and you could not understand a word they were saying, it sounded like something from Croatia, Russia or Germany. NOT ENGLISH!! disgusting!! Imagine the poor american or English tourist? the confusion. Where is the Cayman Kind? We have to make English the Native language on these Islands. What does it gain Cayman to lose its soul to gain the world. Nothing!!!
Utter nonesense the welfare mentality has slowly been weaned from prior to Mckeeva's time. All Government will face poverty in the absence of a strong economy, in the absence of a proper policies that address education, job creation, fair wages and a culture of discipline. WE can castigate 1 man, but all Governments have had their turn at GOverning and really have not splved the problem before Mckeeva, and after Mckeeva. So until the POliticos and those able to work but are not, get a kick up their you know what, we will always have the hand out syndrome to deal with.
Oh and I forgot to say or add to my previos post., talk is cheap and political speak lasts normally 4 years.
10.05 glad your employers still covers 100% of medical premiums – mine does not and I still have to find 20% co payment.. I guess you missed the point of my original comments. The retirement age needs to be revised. At 60 years of age, healthy and able to work, we should be able to continue to sustain ourselves (if one desires to work) verses becoming dependant on our children or social services. If the retirement age cannot be revised then insurance premiums, CUC, water, medical should be discounted. I am on a set fixed income and when CUC and the rest increases their rates, I really really cannot afford a snack box (no joke) I am not looking for handouts but I wake up with fear everyday when government play their taxing games and cuc hikes their prices for no apparent reasons.
All I am saying we worked and supported this community for the past 40 years and I believe government should take us into consideration. Whether making it mandatory for employers to pay insurance premiums during our senior years, discounted house and car insurance premiums, free prescriptions etc….or revise the retirement age and let us work!
Reading some of these comments about Caymanians being lazy and expats being better are simply just displays the prejudice, ignorant and disregard culture which is growing here in Cayman. It just simply saddens me because all it does is create an environment to foster animosity and hate. To simply stereotype that allCaymanians are lazy is the same narrow minded mentality which would state all Europeans have poor hygiene and seldomly have showers, wear deordorant or brush their teeth. I am a Caymanian and I work hard. Sometimes don't take lunch and always work overtime plus some weekends. I have also gained further education overseas in a welfare state where alot of expats here in Cayman are from. Whilst there I witnessed a population of people where the large majority choose not to work and live on welfare. I've never seen so many 13 yrs old pregnant while pushing young babies in carriages. I've never seen so many drunken people living in the parks. I've never witnessed so many public drunken fights on the street or so many people engaged in sexual relations literally on the street. I cannot express the amount of times I've seen juvenile delinquent public behaviour with no consequence. I've seen old people in walkers attempt to get on the bus pushed down by younger able bodied individuals fighting to get on the bus and no one willing to offer assistance. After witnessing all of this and experiencing different forms of racisim at no point in time I have I ever felt myself superior to them or developed a negative opinion of them. Instead, I recognized that my time there was fleeting and when in Rome you must have respect for Roman people and culture. I know that we in Cayman have our problems but the solution is not to allow small mindedness to take rule because one day the animosity grown may developed into the destruction of the society.
"…will not be digging into their pockets…"
I agree as long as they stay out of my pockets as well.
Most politicians find it very east to be generous with other peoples' money, especially around election time.
This is easier said than done. Wont change till we impliment term limits and put a stop to all these career poiiticians.
I totally agree with Al and Joey bring back dignity to these islands the kind that we had back before we allowed people to come here and bribe us. Now we have become a land of beggars, hustlers and people without hope selling dope.
well i never had hope till i sold dope!!!!!!!!!!!! note dat
Well done boys, we need to break this dependency cycle that is impoverishing our people. Put the lazy 9000 back to work!
To:The lone haranguer rides again! (not verified) on Wed, 07/10/2013 – 04:42. That's right and should be easy enough ,since we have created so many jobs that we have to import 26,000 guest workers to fill them.Just fill 9000 of these positions as you suggest from the Social Services, and another 2000 with unemployed Caymanians and the situation should be greatly improved.No more handouts.
Our people you wish, your attitude defines exactly who you are and where you come from cold, damp and stink! only here unnnah living large.
Why doesn't the church hand out money or food or clothing? Do they still give people who live in another island the money so that they can build their first and second house and not pay the banks or "the development bank" here. I heard they don't have any money because they lent the money to people who they thought were building here but they built it in their country instead. No collateral, what a shame in this day and age with qualified professionals working.
The church does, of course.
No handouts, good. That should apply to politicians too. STOP the double-dipping and take a pay cut ALL MLAs.
10.29 regarding your query as to retiring at 60 and having nothing saved, well try just alone insuring your house for a year then add CUC to the mix and your car insurance. This doesn’t even include medical premiums mine is $1,000 bucks a month. Yet I haven’t eaten yet so tell me who is your pension carrier so I can subscribe!
I don't really like the back forth and I am not meaning to cause you distress but the bills you mentioned I also have to settle. I have a house paid for- just renew the insurance coverage at a whopping CI$3,900 a car paid for- just reinsure it in April- my medical is also around $1,000 p.m. Thankfully my employer covers 100 % . Also during the years I made sure that my children got a good education by supplementing what the scholarships did not cover ;which anyone who ever sent a child over seas to college can identify with. Might I add that for most of my children's growing up life I was also a single parent. I will tell you my method- even though it might be too late for you but someone else reading tthis might be at the age to benefit. If you are employed make it work for you. I know sometimes it can get really get unpleasant but stick it out- do more than is expected . Show up on time and give a full day's work for a day's pay and save alittle something each month- believe me it adds up.
Revise the Pensions Law in order that Private-Sector Caymanians can draw on 25% of their pension. If the pension is $5000 and under, revise the law to have this money refunded to Caymanians that need it.
Caymanians with pensions don't want any hand-outs. We want our OWN MONEY that's being hoarded, BY LAW, by the pension companies.
that's right, we want to double-dip too!
18;52
You forgot to mentioned , the pension companies are not liable, should we wake one morning and they tell us there is no money left, they lost it all.
Government gets nothing from these pension payments. It all goes to these private fund managers.
How stupid can our government be? they gave away the chance of securing a proper social security for their people.
Finally, now we all at least know where all the money went. And where it still going.
Too right, Al and Joey. This corrupt practice must stop. Caymanians need to be given back their dignity through the ability to earn a living. Caymanians are not beggars!
MLAs handing out cash to electors would almost certainly be illegal. If any MLA is doing this then I hope those that know inform the police.
The law is not just for election time, folks
Umm, I really don’t think that’s gonna happen, do you?
The police are well aware of this and it seems do not give a damn. It is incredibly widespread and has been mastered by some politicians.
Um, well they do. Quite often. But only to "needy" causes… [nods knowingly].
It's such a common practice that everyone turns a blind eye….including the police!
And MLA's justify it openly!….even recorded in the LA…as "helping my people".
I am really confused with some of the comments here. Just to clear up a few things first, last week my father had to lend me money to bring my mortgage up to date, so no I am not a rich elitist.
I thought we elected the MLAs to work on the policies and laws which form the basis of the operating of our country, I really didn’t realize that we were voting on who would best give us a $50 hand out. Looking at the persons who have been elected, there is a wealth of accumulated experience, education, degrees etc all just so they can hand out money?
Surely if this is the sole reason we Caymanians elected these persons, to hand out money one tank of gas or one light bill at a time we have seriously exceeded the requirements.
We should be ashamed that we are on here making it obvious that we have no suggestions, or ideas, but we do have our hands out asking for what we have not actually earned. I believe this is what has gotten us to where we are today, as a society too many of us have come to think we are due much more of everything than we have actually earned, we have forgotten the humility, hardworking, honest, righteous ways of those older Caymanians we so easily trot out when we want to feel good about ourselves.
I have been in Cayman for over twenty years, married to a Caymanian, and work hard. We are also suffering greatly due to job loss and harsh economic strife, but NEVER in my wildest dreams would I ask or expect a politician for a handout!
What?!? Hearing that people expect this makes me ill.
NO handouts and don't expect ANY.
Very well said.
Trouble is politicians often openly justify these hand-outs…as helping! Thankfully there are 'some' with some ethical compass in the LA now.
Good on you Mr. Hew and Mr. Suckoo!
And NO i'm not rich….I just don't expect "leaders" to be setting such a poor example….then complaining about electors feeling entitled.
I feel that the handouts should not be deemed illegal. I am aware of a Caymanian woman who was forced to retire at exactly sixty years of age. Because of her age when she went to work for the government she ws told that she was not pensionable since she was hired on a local contract. That was fine but at that time her daughter got seriously ill and ia now deemed as handicapped since she has MS and thT IS A DEGENERATIVE DISEASE. Her illnes has been diagnosed as Malignant Recurring and to date there has been no cure found dor the disease. She was forced into retirement because the director of her department did not like her and ignored the fact that she was doing the work of two people. Her pension is 56.56 per month after she took a lump sum mpayment of 756.00. In order to survive she had to go to the DCFS and have herself listed as indigent in order to get 550.00 per month. Can any of you tell me how far that amount goes in the supermarkets? Fortunately Fosters offer mostly chicken for 19.99 in their "Pick 5". Program. The lady tells me that they usually eat chicken every day since she cannot afford much more.She lives in a one-room apartment with her daughter and herself sleeping in the 1 bed. Out of the 550.00, she has to pay for water and half electricity. $50.00 from anyone would mean that she and her child eat for about week. So for anyone who has not walked in shoes like that rmember there are genuine poor pople here who could eat for a ekks off 50.00.
Anon 925 you can't possibly be that naive or gullible either that out you are loyal follower who got sorted out. No political favors hahahahaha are you kidding already see loyalist inna "gowerment" jobs people who worked very hard during their campaign and let go from a certain bank get real mi good man the day they stop granting political favors is the day they leave office and even then they still trying a ting! Two oldest proffesion are Politics and Prostitution both are similar in nature one corrupts the body the latter corrupts the mind.
Check your information. People are allowed to decide for themselves to take early retirement last I checked.
How many Caymanians work in their big businesses?
Boom !!! One Term or less :-).
They preach against handouts now and they are correct it is not good for anycountry but these same politicians were only too happy to practice it during the recent campaign. The proof will be in the pudding during the 2017 campaign unless there is an earlier election due to voter frustration and civil unrest which is very possible. Let's see if they stick to this then !!!
If a man/woman/child is hungry today, a promise of “we’re working to make things better in the long term” isn’t of much comfort or won’t satisfy that hunger. I am not a politician but I give to people in need on a regular basis, particularly when it comes to food; I just cannot bring myself to say no to someone who is hungry. Maybe these two gentlemen just made a bad choice of words – it cannot be that they would not put their hand in their pocket to help feed a hungry child. Or, am I wrong?
I agree with concept of giving a hand up, teaching people to help themselves and taking responsibility for themselves, but the present situation in Cayman had reached another level, where we have people who would normally take care of themselves don’t know where their next meal is coming from, or don’t know what to do when their children look at them and say “I’m hungry”.
I believe there is a Govt department that deals with indigents, they are located in the Britcay building on the ground floor.
Maybe if we stopped putting so much effort into having our elected officials take care of individualissues, but focus them on putting more effort into ensuring that we ALL get value for CIG dollars spent, that CIG is run efficiently, that sensible policies are put in place, that real growth of OUR CAYMANIAN PEOPLE is made possible again, then the individual hungry children would not be a problem.
In reply to:Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/09/2013 – 11:01. They did indeed explain that they have and will continue in the future, to assist people in need but that it would impossible to help everyone , and thus the comment about providing opportunities for people to help themselves.Read the post again ," the two new parliamentarians said that their salaries were not sufficient to help everyone who was now in need but it didn’t mean that they would not be doing what they could in other ways to help their constituents."They are also quoted as saying “We all want to help; that’s why we ran for office in first place". It would be nice if everyone commenting here had taken the time to listen to the broadcast or read the entire CNS post before commenting; I did and comfortable with their stance.Al and Joey need to understand the need to choose their words carefully, as there will always be someone out there willing to take their words out of context, to convey the commenters own point of view, and to use this against the two young politicians.Perhaps in the spirit of fair and complete coverage CNS could provide a link to a recording of this broadcast.Also the Progressives need to do this on their own site as they are presently receiving a lot of unnecessary negative coverage based on the selective use of portions of this radio show.
Yes your True colours now shine right through and has everybody seeing RED! Make good of your one term.
Oh, so you were looking for the $50 handouts? You are a part of the problem.
You must have been receiving a good amount of handouts, maybe you are showing your true colours now!
Are we honestly surprised? A promise is a comfort to fool! All those campaign sweet talks and promises now replaced with Image and wealth You boys will no doubt learn the hard way about Caymanian politics. NO surprise to me however attend school with both of them and were always for themselves just didn't think they were stupid enough to say out in public. I guess the arrogance that accompanies political power has now overwhelm quiet a few?
I don't know about you, but I voted for my MLAs to help better the country through policies and vision. NOT to be my personal ATM. While I do understand that people are hurting, they need to take accountability for their own situation!!
News Flash/Public Notice to poor people!!! STOP having babies that you can not afford!!!
Stop getting suck marks all over your neck the night before an interview, or even worse when you actually have a job.
It is said that poverty is a crime against humanity. Even worse, poverty is a state of mind, and our country is in a real bad state.
Take responsibility and stop looking to cast blame on the world for your own short falls.
Politicians are not supposed to be handing out money to people from their own pockets or government coffers for that matter. Why are you so annoyed – receiving plenty handouts before?
Well Joey was several years ahead of Al in High School so if you attended school WITH both of them you must have repeated or been held back a lot!
Makes sense to me that an ignoramus would not see the truth in their statements and respect them for rejecting the root of corruption!
I've known Joey and Al practically all my life. They are good men and I trust them to do what's right. I am willing to give them wide lattitude to get their work done. But don't forget people are hurting. The long-term is all well and good, but if they don't address immediate needs they will be out of office in four years. I'm not advocating handouts, just saying don't forget the short-term as well.
Well said and kudos to these two individuals these men are exactly the kind of representatives that made us great in the past no hand outs and no political favors. I am very proud to see the direction that the country is going now, Caymanians need jobs not hand outs.
hahahahaha made us great in the past, what century are we ytalkin about? when our forefather went to Moquito Cay an dstarted with National Bulk Carriers and started the development of this country. since we have had highly educated and simpatico politicians all we have had is woes upon woes.
Err highly educated leaders?????????????????? WTF???
I had never heard McKeeva Bush called "highly educated and simpatico" before. He has brought us more woes than all the rest combined.
Maybe since they boldly state that they have made so much money, they do not need to draw a salary and could give it back to Caymanians who actually need it!!!!
The problem is that too many Caymanians who actually DON'T need have been living off someone else so there is now no more funds for the Caymanians who actually DO need it.
Everyone needs to learn to do more for themselves, rather than anticipating that someone should do for them……..
Even pursuing this, there is still the problem of the many "Caymanians" who live off social services that don't actually need assistance. It is even more enlightening coming in contact with some of them. Cayman is not their place of birth or heritage. English is not their first language. They drive $40K cars, social services gives them vouchers for air force 1's for their kids and their families are ever increasing by plane landings. Then there are those Caymanians who desparately need it but the traditional culture teachings them to be too proud to apply for social services and go about their lives without social assistance. How can we ensure they get the benefit of this?
Yeah….Blah…blah…blah….We tired of hearing the PPM needing more time to get their heads around the problems facing this country and create more policy. Less policy and bereaucracy is what is needed. Tell us how the PPM is going to address the high cost of living in this country. The glass house you guys living in with your salary and perks, do not give you the entitlement to look down on the less fortunate and say you not giving any hand out yet failing to say how you are planning to give us hope. The election is over guys and we need to hear solutions no time for on the job training whilst people are loosing thier homes, cant buy food, pay for electric, health insurance and the list goes on. We fed up, with empty promises we need action PPM. Almost 60 days in office and nothing to show for it. We need to hear which Minister is working with the food conglomerate companies in this country to reduce the price of food. What is being done about the price gouging that is going on with the Duty Free goods we the consumers is not getting any relief. Which minister is working to regulate the price of fuel in this country to reduce the pirating of everything we buy and use that is dependant on fuel.You guys are not making a career out of this anymore, we are tired of being pissed upon and told it is rain, we need you guys to actual do someting for a change. Yeah we know allot of work is needed but we not hearing any solutions or any plans.We fed up….. with government bereaucracy and empty promises.
8.33 …and just how long would it take your own super-brain to master all the facets of your portfolio had you been elected? Just to meet with all your heads of department, draw up plans of action, get them into draft form, execute them, meanwhile to write and then pass the enabling legislation, all this could not possibly be done in less than six months. Waiting for the beneficial economic results to roll in might take years.
This is the problem in Cayman, there has been no long-term plan, only self-serving, damaging decisions over the past four years. Many aspects of Government are completely dysfunctional, judging by what we read. I would suggest that at the next election you vote for God, because He might be able to get thigs done the way you seem to expect. You sound like a ranter who has not the faintest idea about the real world, and thinks in terms of magic wands and King Alfred commanding the waves. Coming to think of it Blah…Blah…Blah pretty well describes your own rant.
"This is the problem in Cayman, there has been no long-term plan, only self-serving, damaging decisions over the past four years. Many aspects of Government are completely dysfunctional, judging by what we read"……really just the past four years. I dont need to be a rocket scientist or no CPA to figure out we could not afford all the roads, Govt, buildings, acreas of marl to to NOwhere plus (2) $100 million schools. So, 14:07 tell me who thought they were God if not your PPM. Well they though they had the magic wand. When blind Bartolomeous could see a financial storm approching. Joey and Al could be offering assistance by working on ideas to reduce the costof living, fuel regulations, insurance relief instead of following the ministers on their department visits. You tell the people that we will not see any benifical economical results for years, when we just had 300 more unemployed graduated from your 100 million dollar school. I hope you and yours live in a gated community because all of us is going to need it. Just saying Sh**t or get off the pot, you your self say their educated well its time to put up or shut up. We the people cant wait years for your relief allot of us dont have that luxury.
Problems today are no different from last time ppm was in power. Except now beacuse of last time they cannot borrow. They added to the size of the civil service and should be experienced now how to run a government and deal with civil servants. no more excuses please
Well chaps lets get on with it! People are being released from work at 60 without anything much financially to fall back on. CUC rates are too high. Crime especially burglaries needs to be contained. The glass ceilings in work places (there are genuine hard Caymanians workers that are here and are overlooked or over worked by expatriate supervisors). Medical and Property insurances are too expensive and these so call taxes that makes the poor man struggle but the rich just enjoys!
So mr. Hew and mr. Suckoo please let us see some relief soon. I can barely afford a snack box!
I do agree that times are hard , living is expensive and jobs are scarced, but I do not understand how someone could be retiring at 60 and not have anything to live off. If someone is retiring then that means that they worked. If they did not save something for retirement and get a house during their working years then whose fault is that. I am old enough to remember when it was every one's dream to have a roof over their heads, when there was always food on the table because peole provided for their children's needs and if one could afford it , there was a bicycle somewhere outside. The motor cars came much later down the road. This culture of begging was frowned upon- we just did not do it. I guess we had pride back then. I don't blame the MLAs- it is time to stop this dispictable habit. Make you wonder where the past MLAs got the money from to hand out and put these people in this disgusting situation. I am proud of Al and Joey for having the courage to speak up- they are men of integrity. If in 4 years they do not get re-elected then all I can say is Cayman would have lost out big time!!
It is not easy for some folks to get a house. The uneducated earns very little and can hardly afford to buy food after having to pay for other expenses. The difference between $9000 and more with an earning between $1000 and $1500 isthousands more. Then if alittle roof as myou call it is gotten the bank has to be paid, there are school fees gas electricity clothing etc etc. Tell me how do you expect for that poor person to save a dollar. This is why at times so many Caymanians are turning to drugs and stealing. I dont agree with politicians giving just for a vote but at times if there is a great need I think it would not be Christ like to assist. Anyhow just listen to this voters remembers well at election time.
What are they doing to help the people and get Caymanians back to work? when will the rest of us see the plans and results ppl need jobs now not more talk
Maybe the question should be "What are Caymanians doing to help themselves?"
Umm, If we elected them just to fend for ourselves, what was the point. Yes we need to help ourselves and do our part but they are obliged to help us as well.
THEY WERE NOT ELECTED TO PAY YOUR LIGHT BILL, JESUS CAN YOU PEOPLE PLEASE CRAWL OUT OF THE UDP/PNA ERA THE HANDOUT DAYS ARE OVER
Last time I checked the rising unemployment in Cayman is an issue which requires a political solution as it affects many economic indicators. This is the same in any country around the world. I believe Caymanians attempted to help themselves by exercising their democratic right to vote in a government who should be capable of resolving this economic problem. Do me a favor and find out how many companies on this island have hiring freezes implemented and are participating in gradual employee lay-off programs.
"I believe Caymanians attempted to help themselves by exercising their democratic right to vote in a government who should be capable of resolving this economic problem."
"Exercising your right to vote" is what you consider Caymanians "helping themselves"?
How about learning to read and write? It is astounding that we are allowing students that can barely read or write to graduate.
How about showing up to work on time?
How about not calling in sick on the Tuesday after a public holiday Monday?
How about not taking 2 hour lunches?
How about dropping the attitude and doing your job and doing it well.
This is why there is unemployment in Cayman. Caymanians simply do not want to work. They seem to feel that all they have to do is to show up and get paid.
Guess what people!! It doesn't work that way. That is why ex-pats have the jobs and you don't . They are willing to work. Plain and simple.
To: Submitted by Enough of the BEGGING! (not verified) on Tue, 07/09/2013 – 19:55 Enough with the prejudice and Cayman bashing.There are smart and lazy people in all nationalities,so let's not say (all) Caymanians are lazy,or (all) expats are willing to work.Please note that words in brackets are mine and are added to stress the point that you did not say "some" Caymanians or "some" expats ,so the inference is that you are referring to all Caymanians and all expats.To avoid any confusion in the future please make it clear that you are referring to all Caymanians or some Caymanians ;or to all expats or some expats.
LOL the position will all change during election campaign time when everybody especially MLA’s believe in helping there fellow Caymanians and voters.
Don't do it!!
I live in a "welfare state" and it is a disaster. There is a group of us who work and work hard and then there is another group who sit around doing absolutely nothing, but they are driving big, beautiful, luxury cars, and their children are recieving free breakfast, free lunch, free medical, free dental and walking around with the top of the line cell phones and electronics. I drive a ten year old car and just glad it is running. I can barely afford to get sick as my medical insurance is horrible.In the grocery store where they get free food on an EBT cards they are buying lobster and steaks while I am just getting by. I am not making this stuff up.
It would be better to make people do community service to get food or money or whatever service they need. I know that probably sounds heartless, but if you saw what is going on around where I live it is ridiculous. My advice….don't just do hand outs! It doesn't work….anddon't even thing about the free strollers and diapers when the young ones have children…..you think you have a high pregnancy rate now……….
Certainly a move forward in terms of political maturity for Caymanian society. The practice of politicians handing out their personal money to people has always been questionable for obvious reasons.The only acceptable approach would be for a politician to donate (anonymously, of course) to a government agency responsible for helping people in one need or another.
Sad to say but those who do not hand out cash seldom ever get elected. Mr Truman Bodden days are over.
Lot of good it did Mark n Joke Joke
well done…the caymanian entitlement culture must end…the sooner people learn to stand on their on two feet the better….
any politician who is making unauthorised payments to members of the electorate must be investigated and prosecuted…..
Well said Mr. Suckoo and Mr. Hew!
For far too long our MLA's have participated in providing hand-outs. Which only serves to cause many recipients (and others) to feel beholden to them….and seems simply corrupt!
And to add insult many MLA's justify this as "helping".
No surprise here. I bet you when they were campaigning they didn't say that. Although I agree more permanent solutions need to be put in place, this will not happen immediately, ppl need help NOW!! If these problems are not sorted very soon Cayman gonna have some more serious social issues to deal with. Very disappointed in Al Suckoo, and I hope he is more respnsive to his voters than how he was to his customers when he owned Blue Bison. PPM what a laugh!! Same stuff different day, can't borrow their way out of this one. LOL
oh ok, so you prefer that he just hand out $50 bills for the next 4 years ? You really do not get it and you are probably one of those who has been living off the handouts
hand out the$50 bills in 3 years & 6 months time that usually helps .
…the UDP.
I agree 150%. Hand outs will not help everyone. Besides, this hand out culture is what has caused the Government's Social Services department's expenditure to be so high every year. Over 30 Million Dollars +. It's unbelievable and sickening, how many people are on it claiming benefits from the Government's and fellow hard working citizen's money, using any excuse they can think that looks plausible on their application.Then they sit back,relax and watch the social services hand outs roll in. If it is actually and single mother or parents having real financial difficulty finding funding for their child/ren's school fees or lunch or their child illness/injury even though they are working then fine. But, I have honestly seen one too many able bodied people who can work and have job oppurtunities say that the government is should be taking care of them and that that's what the Government is here for. It like being robbed or de-frauded by an able bodied person pretending they are too sick with a disease only to take advantage of our sympathy and money. The only thing some of these people are truly too sick with are hangovers,withdrawal symptom and a numb backside from sitting around all day complaining they can't work while lifting a beer and cigarette to their mouths while the rest of us are at work trying to make a living for us and our families and indirectly or directly funding someone else lazy lifestyle.
Yeah but I betcha alot of them didn’t think this way during elections! Convenient.
Wellsomebody just put an epitaph on their political future and carreer! Good luck with that 4 years from now you will come to cherish those statements no worries you will still get pension.
2 dudes out for the next election 2017 .Cut your own salaries by 20% ,PPM manifesto promise 13 broken.
The MLA s can first stop double dipping.
Thn set a good example by taking a 10% pay cut which they can all well afford of all
You are certainly not asking for a big cut. What is 10% cut. Might as well stay how it is. Alot of our people need to drive around or better yet walk around and see how some of our good ole Caymanians live. They would get a shock of their lives. People are silently SUFFERIN, SUFFERING.
OOOH Yeah your political future is looking rather DIM! Infact you need to have a sit down with your political mentors our fathers and ask them about their political longevity before engaging mouth please use brain! I wannn mi money $$$$$$$ Signed A very Concern Pee pee M Supporter
Oh, that's why KcMeeva has survived in there for 29 years?
Kurt has survived for a long time too ,because he like McKeeva has a big heart. There is nothing wrong with helping people as long as it is their own money. The Cayman Brac thing is completely different.
There is no comparison whatsoever between Kurt and McKeeva. McKeeva is primarily looking out for #1, not you or the country. The ulterior motive in giving is so that he gets re-elected.