What the hell is going on with our leaders?! City Council allegedly couldn’t make their payments to Social Security (yet Mayor Zenaida could pay her brother’s business) for several months. Her only answer to the ongoing accusations on the matter is to, in her usual arrogant way, state that she has answered the matter already and that the previous City Council was equally irregular in its payments. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that why we fired that crowd?!?! And didn’t you promise us that you’d be better? Well, saying they were just as bad doesn’t exactly scream improvement, does it? The more things change....
Speaking of how bad things are at City Hall, where’s our Municipal Audit? Mr. Auditor General, are you allowing yourself to be compromised by political necessities? Because I’ll tell you this: you are paid by us and as such you answer to us, and we want our audit -before March 4th. Hell, if you’re just a little behind, feel free to give us what you’ve got and tell us when the rest will be ready. You readers remember when Ralph wouldn’t allow any criminal charges against his brother? This crowd promised to be better. The more things change….
Connected friends can avoid paying taxes with impunity while businesses that already pay more than their fair share get taxed further to pay for those friends. Try avoiding your SSB payment for a month and see what happens. Try owing money for your trade and liquor license and see how long you can stay open. Try to keep from paying your property tax and see how that goes over with Zenaida & Co. Try talking Customs down on the duty they want to charge you and see how helpful they are. Ever made a mistake of a few cents on your GST or Business Tax or been late by a day on either? But there are those who can do all that and much, much more. It's just not Archie Lee's turn anymore. The more things change….
The Labour Ministry wants businesspeople to pay more severance to their employees –three and five times more than they’ve planned for. Not a bad idea, until you look around you and see how quiet things are with businesses. Then the government complains about businesses not lowering their prices. How can they? What costs have declined for them? Not taxes, labour, or utility costs, that’s for sure. You see, the PUP claimed to be all about social justice, then proceeded to help their favoured few shred the economy. The UDP claim to be all about social justice, and are doing everything to help their favoured few take what’s left. The more things change….
The current Prime Minister says that “corruption has been eliminated at the topmost level of government,” meaning him personally, one assumes –or maybe the Governor General. Who the hell cares that one athlete is clean when the whole rest of the team is on steroids? Same argument goes for any member of PUP who sanctioned what happened by keeping silent while it was happening. Guilt by association, it’s all the rage around here. The more things change….
Look guys, economic patriotism does not mean killing the cow for a steak dinner tonight then wondering why you can’t have milk with your cereal tomorrow. Economic patriotism means keeping your local businesses in business and able to do business without the constant fear of starvation through taxation. Economic patriotism actually means embracing certain free market principles so that consumers have a choice and local businesses have to learn to compete and work toward exporting their products in order to thrive –protectionism kills innovation and quality, did you know that? Have some pasta and think about that. Hell, economic patriotism even means creating a climate that allows shoppers to be able to afford to shop in their own country -but remember, do it without starving businesses to make it happen.
You know, you can at least try to pretend you love your country. So far you aren’t fooling anyone into thinking that you want to win the job again in 2013. Did you notice that there’s a global crisis on? Has anyone told you it’s now hitting home and that your actions determine how Belize comes out of it? Trust them, they’re not the ones telling lies.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Of Cliffs and Cane
I’m only a relatively uninformed bystander watching what increasingly appears to be the economic version of a headlong stampede toward the cliff’s edge.
Let the above statement serve as my disclaimer. I am hereby freely acknowledging that I know nada about sugar cane and the cultivation thereof -I don't say 'growth' because I think that word applies (or should apply) more accurately to the industry currently under vigorous discussion. So, unlike many people out there, this is me not pretending to know what I don’t know.
However, I am curious about how we turn back from this looming disaster when the main beneficiaries seem ever more cemented in their position. When I listen to Mr Magana, for example, I hear the sound of engines revving instead of tires screeching. No brakes, no u-turns up to now, and the cliff's edge is ever closer.
In a way, I guess standing on the sidelines may afford me a better view of what is going on, though there are also elements one misses by seeing the whole forest and not individual trees. What I do know is this: we have an endangered industry, and this lee argument puts it that much closer to extinction.
I'd like to know a few things about the way forward, and for ease of reference I've listed them below, carefully numbered and not at all indexed by importance, chronology or alphabet:
Let the above statement serve as my disclaimer. I am hereby freely acknowledging that I know nada about sugar cane and the cultivation thereof -I don't say 'growth' because I think that word applies (or should apply) more accurately to the industry currently under vigorous discussion. So, unlike many people out there, this is me not pretending to know what I don’t know.
However, I am curious about how we turn back from this looming disaster when the main beneficiaries seem ever more cemented in their position. When I listen to Mr Magana, for example, I hear the sound of engines revving instead of tires screeching. No brakes, no u-turns up to now, and the cliff's edge is ever closer.
In a way, I guess standing on the sidelines may afford me a better view of what is going on, though there are also elements one misses by seeing the whole forest and not individual trees. What I do know is this: we have an endangered industry, and this lee argument puts it that much closer to extinction.
I'd like to know a few things about the way forward, and for ease of reference I've listed them below, carefully numbered and not at all indexed by importance, chronology or alphabet:
- Is the Core Sampler truly the root of all evil? I feel the need to capitalize the name, because this seemingly offensive piece of equipment appears to have taken on a life of its own, and may yet go the way of Gapi's t-shirt, that is, be burnt in effigy. Seriously though, doesn't this thing have some use once we cure it of its alleged propensity to tell nasty little fibs on innocent sugarcane? Like, say, data collection?
- If Nemencio Acosta is to be fired, how will this help the industry? What was his offense? Who should replace him, and why that person? Who the heck is Nemencio Acosta, and why'd his mom call him that? Must've caught hell in school, true? Schoolyard bullies can be so cruel... Will his replacement have a better name? I fancy something like...Alvaro, or Placido maybe.
- Is this business of pushing quality over quantity for cane production a 'red' herring? I mean, just because the EU, numerous trading partners, Tate & Lyle, dozens of Belizean experts, and both the last government and this one say that failure to improve quality will mean the end of the industry, that doesn't make it true, does it? Because everybody knows the EU consists of a bunch of pranksters who never really mean what they say. They send out these goofy memos between rounds of Pin the Tail on the Ex-colony, that sort of thing.
- Okay, the last one was a low blow. I'm sure that Mr Magana and his brethren are aware that they have to change their ways -I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt in generous helpings, but wasn't that where the Fairtrade money was to have come in useful? What's the story behind Fairtrade anyway? Hey, they make pretty good chocolate though; you can get some at Brodies...no, they aren't sponsoring the blog, but if you could forward this to them, maybe...
- If the core sampler is sent on its merry way, and if the farmers concede that improving quality is the way forward, and if Fairtrade, or the EU, or my Fairy Godmother (who really is too old to be wearing tutus...but I digress) make funds available for this quality improvement business (you're counting the ifs, I hope), then what is the acceptable measure and compensation for quality that will reward the farmer who improves his crop? I mean, there's gotta be something that won't send the guys back to the dump for more old tires, right?
Monday, February 2, 2009
Kamikaze Cane Farmers
Someone died today. Whatever the circumstances of his death, he didn't have to die. Today, though it would be easy to find the comedic elements in the tragedy, to find them I'd have to go past the fury that's blocking my vision. Why fury? Because someone died today, and his death was unnecessary.
For the benefit of strangers to my country and those who have logged on from their mid-jungle gopher holes, let me explain briefly that sugar cane and politics have always been a combustible mix in Belize. You see, our politicians have neither strength of will nor courage of conviction, and it takes a great deal of both to take on the cane farmers.
In some respects, today's clash has been coming for decades. In another way, it has been coming for about three years. Either way, what you have is an ailing industry producing substandard product and being propped up and indulged by successive governments. Sounds sensible, doesn't it? No, I didn't think so either.
Now, the core sampler in question is a tool for measuring quality. Higher quality logically means more sugar per ton of cane delivered. In a world where commodity prices aren’t the best, and quotas are disappearing, it should go without saying that Belize’s survival interest lies in producing the best possible product, to get the best possible prices.
Instead the cane farmers are willing to fight to the death for the right to kill their industry. And at the cost of one life today, they won one more battle for their self-destruction. Tonight the core sampler is unplugged, and “same-old, same-old” triumphs yet again.
Mr. Politician, as a taxpayer, I feel I have the right to tell you this: if these guys want to destroy the industry, don’t help them do it by indulging them for the sake of votes. Because when the sugar industry dies –is murdered– you’re going to expect me to pay for the farmers to avoid starvation. And I won’t have it!
In other words, don’t expect me to donate the fuel for the cane farmers’ kamikaze flights.
For the benefit of strangers to my country and those who have logged on from their mid-jungle gopher holes, let me explain briefly that sugar cane and politics have always been a combustible mix in Belize. You see, our politicians have neither strength of will nor courage of conviction, and it takes a great deal of both to take on the cane farmers.
In some respects, today's clash has been coming for decades. In another way, it has been coming for about three years. Either way, what you have is an ailing industry producing substandard product and being propped up and indulged by successive governments. Sounds sensible, doesn't it? No, I didn't think so either.
Now, the core sampler in question is a tool for measuring quality. Higher quality logically means more sugar per ton of cane delivered. In a world where commodity prices aren’t the best, and quotas are disappearing, it should go without saying that Belize’s survival interest lies in producing the best possible product, to get the best possible prices.
Instead the cane farmers are willing to fight to the death for the right to kill their industry. And at the cost of one life today, they won one more battle for their self-destruction. Tonight the core sampler is unplugged, and “same-old, same-old” triumphs yet again.
Mr. Politician, as a taxpayer, I feel I have the right to tell you this: if these guys want to destroy the industry, don’t help them do it by indulging them for the sake of votes. Because when the sugar industry dies –is murdered– you’re going to expect me to pay for the farmers to avoid starvation. And I won’t have it!
In other words, don’t expect me to donate the fuel for the cane farmers’ kamikaze flights.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Headlines You'll Never Read in the Belize News
Increased Illegal Immigration from China -Officials Blame Deep Potholes for Providing Access
Breaking News! Insiders Confirm Zenaida's Hair is Real
Political Parties Agree...to Disagree -Public D'uh Rating Hits Unprecedented High
"Clear the Land's" Secret Twin Brother, "Clear the Sea" Identified as Gaspar Vega
Attorney General Admits Justice System "May Have One or Two Flaws"
PUC Head Agrees to Salary Decrease in Line With Fuel Price Reductions
PUP Party Postponed Indefinitely -No Cheese for Wine-rs
Honesty Not Best Policy, Survey of Belizean Politicians Reveals
Former Finance Minister Makes Statement to Court -Says "Nyah-nyah, Can't Catch Me!"
And finally...
Mayor "Just Dizzy" About Roundabouts, Says Trees in Parks are "Highly Overrated, Yuh Knoa?"
Saturday, January 17, 2009
My Big Fat Kruffy Wedding
That's what one of my friends calls it, this 'wedding of the century' between our PM and his Princess Bride.
Kim, my dear, you don't know me, but since I apparently already think of you as my First Lady, I feel compelled to give you a leebit…er…I mean, a modicum of advice. You see, we Belizeans don't really care that you're getting married. For the most part we tend to think, if we bother to think about it at all, that it's about time Dean made an honest woman out of you, whatever that means. We do wish you well, most of us. It is, I would say, a story written by Barbara Cartland, if she came to Belize, dropped all the noble titles, added a three-year-old daughter to the love story, and spoke more fluent Kriol…or any Kriol at all.
However, when you decide to go to a newspaper to tell them that you want a private wedding without any fuss, what you will get is…well…fuss. When you decide to fly in the Bishop of Belize for your wedding, that’s fuss. When you tell the newspaper that the dress is by Monique Lhuillier, and that the groom will wear “Armani or something like that,” yep, you guessed it, that’s fuss too. A guest list of 110? I think you’ve succeeded in importing a fair amount of fuss and extinguishing the desired privacy. But you’re marrying a big, important guy –whose marital history is way too detailed for such an article (a kid in jail needs mentioning for this?)– so a certain amount of fuss is in order, and I can see why you’d look forward to a cozy chat with the Savannah Morning News. Just don’t then say for the record that you didn’t want ‘fuss.’ That’s more coyness than our culture can handle with a straight face.
Regrettably, the long lenses of the Belizean paparazzi do not stretch to Savannah, and that, I’m guessing, is the point. Perhaps Ms. Landers will report on the event now that she's brought it to our attention, no? Honestly, I personally don’t care what country you get married in, that’s your prerogative as Princess Bride. However, if you had wanted less fuss and practically no bother to speak of, you could have still done it here somewhere –our paparazzi don’t work weekends.
Kim, we wish you well as you walk down the aisle with Dean, it apparently is a marriage made in designer heaven. May you have a long and happy life together. And most of all, we thank you for the laughter you’ve given us courtesy of the Savannah Morning News.
Kim, my dear, you don't know me, but since I apparently already think of you as my First Lady, I feel compelled to give you a leebit…er…I mean, a modicum of advice. You see, we Belizeans don't really care that you're getting married. For the most part we tend to think, if we bother to think about it at all, that it's about time Dean made an honest woman out of you, whatever that means. We do wish you well, most of us. It is, I would say, a story written by Barbara Cartland, if she came to Belize, dropped all the noble titles, added a three-year-old daughter to the love story, and spoke more fluent Kriol…or any Kriol at all.
However, when you decide to go to a newspaper to tell them that you want a private wedding without any fuss, what you will get is…well…fuss. When you decide to fly in the Bishop of Belize for your wedding, that’s fuss. When you tell the newspaper that the dress is by Monique Lhuillier, and that the groom will wear “Armani or something like that,” yep, you guessed it, that’s fuss too. A guest list of 110? I think you’ve succeeded in importing a fair amount of fuss and extinguishing the desired privacy. But you’re marrying a big, important guy –whose marital history is way too detailed for such an article (a kid in jail needs mentioning for this?)– so a certain amount of fuss is in order, and I can see why you’d look forward to a cozy chat with the Savannah Morning News. Just don’t then say for the record that you didn’t want ‘fuss.’ That’s more coyness than our culture can handle with a straight face.
Regrettably, the long lenses of the Belizean paparazzi do not stretch to Savannah, and that, I’m guessing, is the point. Perhaps Ms. Landers will report on the event now that she's brought it to our attention, no? Honestly, I personally don’t care what country you get married in, that’s your prerogative as Princess Bride. However, if you had wanted less fuss and practically no bother to speak of, you could have still done it here somewhere –our paparazzi don’t work weekends.
Kim, we wish you well as you walk down the aisle with Dean, it apparently is a marriage made in designer heaven. May you have a long and happy life together. And most of all, we thank you for the laughter you’ve given us courtesy of the Savannah Morning News.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
The Blagojevich Doctrine
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has done a lot for America (and the world) in the last couple of months. On center stage we’ve had a country (and the world) reeling from the effects of a recession so deep that nobody knows where the bottom is (nor does anyone want to find out), and then the biggest political clown we’ve seen in some time enters from stage left. If you take it from the point of view of dark humor, which I do, this guy provides serious comic relief. Admittedly, if I were an Illinois voter/taxpayer, I’d probably be pretty miffed at me for laughing.
Whatever, I’m a Belizean voter through and through. Even when I wonder why I’m bothering, I still hike down to the polling station in my division, brave the long lines, and dutifully cast my vote for the person who in my opinion might be the least crooked and the most likely to give half a damn about my country even while he/she’s picking my pockets clean. I’m not kidding about the pockets; the last gal who got my vote of semi-confidence has even taken the lint! Maybe she needs it to mop the marble floors of her sumptuous abode, you know?
What do I think of Blago? I’m thinking the man is merely a victim of geography. Be honest, if he were politicking here, what he’s accused of would seem to be business (and politics) as usual, right? Let’s say someone here taped [your area rep] discussing a board appointment on the phone. Do you think the conversation would have been much different? I mean, other than the cuss words used –like maybe saying r—s instead of f—k every so often? Sadly, we sort of expect this stuff by now.
I admit, I don’t especially care at this point which party’s in power at what electoral level; they have become all the same to me, except that some are better con artists than others.
What does bother me is this question: is our current PM just naïve, or is he disingenuous? It’s a fair question, given his statement of certainty during his New Year’s Address, where he said “…it is my proudest boast that the corruption at the very top, which became endemic under the last government, has been utterly and completely eliminated.” Whaaat?!
PM, I do know lawyer-speak when I hear it, so I figure that what you mean is that YOU’RE not corrupt because you’re the guy at the very top. And in that respect I’m willing to believe you. But unless you make all the rules, enforce them yourself, fire your entire Cabinet and never leave the country again so that no one else ‘acts’ in your place, that’s not good enough.
Prime Minister, my ma teach me when I mi small ‘nuh fi sway fi nobaddy.’ She also taught me to ‘si wid yuh own eye.’ Now here’s me, giving you a chance, figuring you mean well, that you’ll get things under control, and then a mere eleven months after you got the job you’re trying to trick me into thinking that the biggest, most entrenched thing out there done fix? That the air is now clear of the toxic, smog-thick stench of corruption and that we can toss our gas masks out for SEL to maybe pick up if they were paid this week? No, no, NO man!!! Are you really willing to swear for your entire Cabinet? Because we need more than just you being straight to achieve incorruptible governance ‘at the top.’
Plus, residents of your largest municipality are finding that corruption can be deadly at municipal government levels too. We’ve found out firsthand that it becomes both contagious and corrosive when mixed with arrogant, aggressive incompetence. This corruption spreads the garbage and, like acid, eats ever-deeper potholes into our neglected road surfaces.
Prime Minister, YOU don’t have to be corrupt in order for corruption to rule. All you have to do is turn a blind eye to it. Do you know the cost of that blindness? It makes for impotent leadership, which in turn leads to anarchy. Trickle-down corruption, even now in full flood, creates an ineffective judicial-legal system, reduces tax collections, and encourages both actual and economic vigilantism. In short, the people have begun to take the law into their own hands and to keep their tax money to themselves too –we’ll talk about that some other time.
Mr Prime Minister, it isn’t enough to say that YOU’RE not corrupt; you must be seen to be actively rooting out corruption, starting at the level just below the ‘very top’ (if I correctly interpret your lawyerly hair-cleaving) and energetically ripping it out at all levels –without political prejudice, if you please! Use both hands and your teeth if need be. Only when you’ve done this can we truly have the “sunlit terrain of justice and prosperity that we all desire and deserve.”
Meanwhile, I’ll continue watching Blago and wondering if he learned his politics from us. If he ever says r—s I’ll know the answer.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
International Anti-Corruption Day
Okay people, the UN finally gave us one day that openly addresses the situation our country faces on all 365 of them. That day is today, December 9th 2008, it’s called International Anti-Corruption Day, and the intention is to raise public awareness of corruption and what people can do to fight it.
Now the good news is that in terms of the UN’s public awareness goals, we in Belize can proudly say that we’re halfway there. Yep, we are making progress. UN boys, you can go back and tell your bosses that the public in Belize is fully aware of corruption. Of course, now that we know about it, what do we do with it?
Let’s see, while I'm aware of it in general terms, I still have a few questions, just to get a feel for the possibilities/limits re corruption:
Do two wrongs make a right? If I forcibly rip an illegal red license plate off a ministerial (i.e. government-owned) vehicle, is that then a legal act? Because those stupid things are driving me crazy, and I may yet do that!
If I’m found driving my boss’ government car with contraband liquor in the trunk, is it appropriate for him to suspend me, or is it more ethical for him just to fire me? Keep in mind, if he fires me, I might know something, yuh knoa? Me breaking the law, that’s secondary to other considerations, right?
If I divert money intended for another project to pay for a project that I never should have guaranteed in the first place, a project I supported against the gale force winds of public fury, is that naughty of me? I mean, we’re only talking about, say, maybe $20 million or so, and I didn’t pocket a penny from that particular transaction, so how could that be wrong?
If the stink of corruption is heavy upon some of my political donors, it’s still okay for me to take their money and reward them with choice appointments, right? I mean, I can’t control their corruption so it’s nothing to do with me...right?
Okay, now I know the answer to this one, so I’ll just list it, it’s not actually a question: as a government minister, it is perfectly acceptable for me to get involved in real estate or contract or tender awards, using my power to influence transactions. If the buyer is so happy that he gifts me with a suitcase full of cash, how could that possibly be wrong?
Similarly, it cannot possibly be wrong for me to allow the importation of products that are, um, restricted from importation. The fact that a supporter or even family member might benefit from this selectively lifted restriction is purely coincidence.
Finally, and only 'cause I'm tired and it's late and I'm sleepy, I'll throw in this last, easy one. If the city suffers and is strewn with garbage because the cleaners don't get paid regularly; if potholes aren't getting fixed at any visible rate of speed; if major commercial downtown streets are inaccessible to traffic for ridiculous lengths of time; if said streets remain unhealthily dusty, are ridiculously designed despite all complaints made beforehand, and don't seem to be getting fixed any year soon...isn't this a good time for the City Council to bring up the word 'raise?'
Yeah, I thought so.
Can you think of other examples where politicians’ moral compasses have clearly lost true north? If you can, and I bet you already have, add your thoughts using the comment feature below.
Now the good news is that in terms of the UN’s public awareness goals, we in Belize can proudly say that we’re halfway there. Yep, we are making progress. UN boys, you can go back and tell your bosses that the public in Belize is fully aware of corruption. Of course, now that we know about it, what do we do with it?
Let’s see, while I'm aware of it in general terms, I still have a few questions, just to get a feel for the possibilities/limits re corruption:
Do two wrongs make a right? If I forcibly rip an illegal red license plate off a ministerial (i.e. government-owned) vehicle, is that then a legal act? Because those stupid things are driving me crazy, and I may yet do that!
If I’m found driving my boss’ government car with contraband liquor in the trunk, is it appropriate for him to suspend me, or is it more ethical for him just to fire me? Keep in mind, if he fires me, I might know something, yuh knoa? Me breaking the law, that’s secondary to other considerations, right?
If I divert money intended for another project to pay for a project that I never should have guaranteed in the first place, a project I supported against the gale force winds of public fury, is that naughty of me? I mean, we’re only talking about, say, maybe $20 million or so, and I didn’t pocket a penny from that particular transaction, so how could that be wrong?
If the stink of corruption is heavy upon some of my political donors, it’s still okay for me to take their money and reward them with choice appointments, right? I mean, I can’t control their corruption so it’s nothing to do with me...right?
Okay, now I know the answer to this one, so I’ll just list it, it’s not actually a question: as a government minister, it is perfectly acceptable for me to get involved in real estate or contract or tender awards, using my power to influence transactions. If the buyer is so happy that he gifts me with a suitcase full of cash, how could that possibly be wrong?
Similarly, it cannot possibly be wrong for me to allow the importation of products that are, um, restricted from importation. The fact that a supporter or even family member might benefit from this selectively lifted restriction is purely coincidence.
Finally, and only 'cause I'm tired and it's late and I'm sleepy, I'll throw in this last, easy one. If the city suffers and is strewn with garbage because the cleaners don't get paid regularly; if potholes aren't getting fixed at any visible rate of speed; if major commercial downtown streets are inaccessible to traffic for ridiculous lengths of time; if said streets remain unhealthily dusty, are ridiculously designed despite all complaints made beforehand, and don't seem to be getting fixed any year soon...isn't this a good time for the City Council to bring up the word 'raise?'
Yeah, I thought so.
Can you think of other examples where politicians’ moral compasses have clearly lost true north? If you can, and I bet you already have, add your thoughts using the comment feature below.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)