Weekly Column

Within days of the DLP forming the Government, the firing and willy-nilly dismissals began. Nine month after the election, the new Government, which promised Barbadians and young people in particular, “a land of plenty,” is singing a different tune. What became of those good paying jobs Chris Sinckler promised Barbadians, where no one would work for less than $200.00 per week?

And now, Senator Arni Walters is telling young people: “No one owes you a living.” What do you have? A Democratic Labour Party, which promised a lot while in Opposition, but is not delivering anything of substance now in Government. The facts speak for themselves.

Mr. Thompson! At the rate at which the DLP is taxing Barbadians penniless while causing many to loose their jobs, what will those businesses be selling and who will have money to buy their goods or services? Existing small businesses are already crying out, while some face certain closure.

Potential investors are aware that this Government is inexperienced and that the DLP could not even manage the economy in far less challenging times. People invest to create new enterprise or to expand existing ones, when the economy is sound, and when they have confidence in the ability of the managers.

However, the ingredients, which are necessary to imbue a sense of confidence in this Government’s ability, are sadly lacking. Therefore, why encourage Barbadians to take unnecessary risk, especially at a time when this Government has cut its Capital Works Programme, thereby sending a very bad signal that it has no confidence in its ability and absolutely none in the Barbados economy?

It is alarming when a Prime Minister and Minister of Finance cannot say with any degree of certainty, that he has the ability or even a plan to grow the economy and create jobs.

If the economy was being well managed and if this Government knew what it was doing, there would be nothing wrong with inviting Barbadians to create their own employment. Still, it is wrong that some Barbadians are being told to find jobs for themselves, while others are being invited to gouge themselves obese on the fatted calf.

As a mature and responsible political institution, the BLP sounded the alarm and constantly informed Barbadians that the DLP is not ready. Naturally, the DLP said it was. The electorate gave “Dem” a chance. And as the saying goes, the rest is history. But older Barbadians have another saying: “too forced ripe.” That is exactly what the DLP is! “Forced-ripe.”

We regret to report that, not only is it now crystal clear for everyone to see, it does not know what it is doing, but the DLP is exercising poor judgement, on a sustained basis, on critical issues, which require clarity and sound judgment.

As a result of extremely weak and inefficient management of the economy, the DLP, which is in a mess and at crossroads - has caused the re-emergence of the IMF on our political landscape. This state of affairs could only have one meaning and one sad ending…unless!!! Barbadians must therefore brace themselves for a gloomy Christmas and a very long, freezing economic winter.

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