Talk Antigua

They said “no new taxes”, actually, they shouted “NO NEW TAXES!” at the top of their lungs, and the people cheered. Correct me if I’m wrong Mr. Prime Minister.

Then less than two years later Personal Income Tax (PIT) are now sliced out of our salaries which, I for one, have no problem paying. I mean, the treasury was dry as a desert, something had to be done. I love Antigua and if PIT helps my country then I’ll gladly pay…which I am doing.

But now they want to introduce or re-introduce VAT? Well to VAT I say nice to meet you, don’t want to know you. What on earth is the UPP thinking about? Is this the way they want to treat the same people that put them there? Taking and taking and then taking some more? We, the poor people, are the ones who are feeling the squeeze! How many more minus signs must we see on our pay slips before the disadvantage cease?

We are already paying Medical Benefits each week, then when we fall sick they find it hard to give back poor people what is rightfully theirs! Sick people can’t get scrap out of them to get medical attention that is needed; that is down right ADVANTAGE!

We pay Education Levy and still our children, brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, nieces don’t have text books to study from or a proper desk or chair to sit and write on. Then we wonder why they can’t pass with flying colors like St. Kitts and Trinidad and St Lucia.

Now PIT is here to add to the list. We know it takes money to run a country and lots of it. But somebody please explain to me how the Government spending increased by 17 MILLION on travel ALONE! This is where it gets ridiculous! Where are they going to MARS? VENUS? SATURN? WHERE? 17 millions is an outrageous amount to fly around the world no matter how you look at it! And who’s paying for that? The people that’s who, some of which has never set foot in a plane before! It’s ridiculousness at its highest!

Why can’t they cut back on some of these trips to save our budget some money, huh? Feel free to have me write your excuse. ” Unfortunately at this time my country is experiencing dire financial problems and in an effort to pull it out of the slumps, I am unable to meet you. But feel free to visit our small island where you will be most welcomed!” Question: Why is it that NOBODY meets the ministers here? Why is it that they always have to do the traveling?

They ranted and raved at how the ALP was running the country now look at them, are they doing any better?

The Sunshine Government must remember that WE put them there and WE CAN take them out! They may try to blind us with their rays but WE will put on our sunshades and keep fighting!

(I’m not taking sides here…I was too young to vote last time but something has to change for the better if any party want this X next time around)

How in the world are Antiguans to compete with islands like Jamaicans when their education system is much higher in standards than ours? Jamaica has a University right there!! What do we have? A poor excuse for a College, that is way too cramped for the number of students graduating each year; whose certificate/diploma are not recognized anywhere. Well thank God for the tiny step they took, offering Associates Degree. But even with this step forward, they have stumbled three steps backwards as now half of the nations youths are not qualified to gain entry! You tell me how our small island college is to compete with those islands where a university is situated right there just waiting for them with open arms, huh?

Some folks cannot afford to send their kids to Jamaica or Trinidad or to the United States. They are confined to Antigua and what does this beloved country offer them? A lil’ old college…

When the gates of CSME swings open to Tom Dick and Harry, of course most of the foreigners are going to be more educated than we are…MANY will flood Antigua as our country offers better living conditions in comparison to their origin. Where will Antiguans be running to? Which Antiguan is going to run to Jamaica for work, with all the excessively high criminal activities? Which Antiguan will be running to Trinidad with the raping and killing taking place? I’ll guarantee you not much; instead they will be migrating to the United States, where all the higher paying jobs are; leaving Antigua people struggling for qualified workers.

In addition, some foreigners are willing to work for less than what an Antiguan will agree upon. This leads to employers taking to the foreigners like flies!!!! They’re already doing so now, what do you think will happen when it’s not required that they hire a national?

Go to Jamaica right now and see which company will hire an Antiguan over their national. It seems like Antigua is the only country that don’t care about its own. Antigua is sending its children abhorring and comforting the adopted. Which mother loves her step-child or adopted child more than her own flesh and blood?

Until this government can raise the standard of our education system and raise it high, they had no right to wrestle with the big boys talking about CSME!!!