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Saving Our Social Security: A Call for Unity, Maturity and Patriotic Reform
By Hon. E. P. Chet Greene
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In Antigua and Barbuda, few issues strike closer to home than the future of Social Security. For decades, this vital system has provided pensions, disability benefits and survivor support, forming the bedrock of our nation’s social safety net.
Yet today, its sustainability is in question, threatened by economic pressures and political tribalism.
The debate over its future cannot be reduced to partisan bickering or short-term fixes. Instead, it demands a national conversation rooted in facts, inclusive dialogue and a shared commitment to country over party.
The challenges facing our Social Security system are not unique, but they are pressing. A small and aging population, corresponding workforce growth and known economic vulnerabilities all strain its finances.
Yet, rather than engaging in serious, evidence-based discussions, our antiquated political culture encourages and facilitates fearmongering or empty promises. We must move beyond this.
In a modern Antigua and Barbuda online tools, public forums and expert analyses should be leveraged to educate citizens on the system’s realities and not to spread panic. We must empower meaningful participation.
The Social Security Board, economists and actuarial experts must engage in transparent discussions on reform options, from adjusting contribution rates to exploring sustainable investment strategies.
The goal is not to dismantle the system but to strengthen it for future generations.
Too often, critical issues like Social Security are hijacked by political tribalism. This is not a Labour vs. UPP issue. It is an Antigua and Barbuda issue.
The entire nation but moreso political leadership must rise and demonstrate maturity to negotiate in good faith, even when compromise is difficult.
The public, too, must reject divisive rhetoric and demand solutions, not slogans.
If we continue to treat Social Security as a political weapon rather than a shared responsibility, we risk its collapse and with it, the security of our elderly, vulnerable and other categories of beneficiaries.
Social Security is more than a government program; it is a national promise; one that reflects our values of community and mutual care. To honor that promise, we must craft a long term plan that transcends election cycles.
This requires:
- Bipartisan cooperation where leaders prioritize stability over scoring cheap, unsustainable political points.
- Public engagement where citizens, not just politics and politicians shape the solution.
- Economic realism where reforms are sustainable, not just expedient or politically convenient.
Our economists, tertiary trained individuals with competent skills and knowledge along with policy analysts must play a central role in shaping this debate.
The University of the West Indies (UWI), local think tanks and financial experts must join this debate as essential voices in crafting viable reforms.
Data, not unsubstantiated political rhetoric must guide the way forward.
A resilient Social Security system requires perspectives from all segments of society. Women, who often face greater financial insecurity in retirement must have a seat at the table.
Young people, whose futures depend on the system’s survival should help design reforms that will last. Lastly, our seniors who rely on these benefits today must be heard, not just as recipients, but as custodians of wisdom on what truly works.
The time for silence or political gamesmanship is over. Every elected official, from Parliament to national and community based organizations and even our churches must now responsibly join this discussion with courage and transparency.
Members of the general public must engage by attending town halls, demanding clarity, showing interest and holding leaders accountable. We can usher in a new era of public awareness and participation.
We owe it to ourselves and to our country.
Social Security is not just a policy issue; it is a test of our nation’s unity and foresight. If we fail to act wisely, we betray not only today’s pensioners but also future generations.
Let us rise above division, embrace pragmatic solutions and secure this pillar of Antiguan and Barbudan life, for good.
Our nation’s strength lies not in avoiding tough debates, but in facing them together. The survival and wellbeing of Social Security depends on it.
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@gaston: didn’t I warn you not to blog or write under anybody’s name, now you are chet green sometimes you are Dave ray, what other Monika you are going to blog or write under? You don’t give a damn as long as you write and answer yourself to make yourself look good. Egotistical freak.
lol. so, Gatson Brown is on his radio show blabbing his mouth, and this man (Greene) has his letters trying to sound clever with his words! lol.
Again Greene Bwoi. You folks are the ones who squandered the golden economic opportunities that Antigua found itself in for the better part of 10 years. The golden days of American economic recovery.
Between 2013-2020, Antigua saw 7 years of a steady growing GDP, where more money was coming into the Caribbean at large, and to a greater extent the tourism industry of Antigua. Billions were invested by outside investors, which was the direct result of Antigua’s growing GDP.
So that means, more jobs, more taxes and revenue for the GOA, more buying and selling of goods, so more duties at the various ports for the GOA.
So where is the money Mr. Greene?
Yes, many gave your party credit for a growing GDP (by default) including myself, but where is all that revenue that were collected during that time? For all that revenue, you guys were able to give yourself an increase in salary, but where is the rest? And if we had a growing GDP, why was ABST increased, transport taxes were increased, why we still have to pay huge number of duties at the port?
Those are the real questions Mr. Greene, but yet you’re on here talking about “politics”.
Well, this is not politics for many, this is life as it is, where many can’t even put aside enough money to even take a vacation or pay to get their health in order.
For me this is not politics, this is suffering for many, including many who voted for the ABLP.
And for the record, those situations have a lot to do with your massive Government that seems to grow right along with the GDP.
So, Mr. Greene, I suggest you take a step back from your own rhetoric, because this has a lot to do with the many wasteful spending from your government, getting foolish loans after foolish loans and putting the country in further debt.
More ships at the port doesn’t mean anything when all the profit is going straight to the Chinese bank. You guys are the ones who went and get into bed with the Chenise at a massive cost, so stop talking about the other party other than your incompetent Government.
Antigua should have been 10-15 years ahead of where it is today, given the amount of tax and duty revenue that were generated between those times I mentioned.
So no, I for one do not want to hear anything from this GOA, none.
I must say that using social security to invest into a hotel like Jolly Beach is an unnecessary risk that strategically should not have occurred at this time until more data of government or public investments are gathered from investing into things like these.
Jolly Beach hotel should have been an investment that the public can invest into with their own funds by selling public bonds, giving the public the opportunity to own such kind of investment. That strategically should be done before investing social security funds into such kind of business.
It was not calculated, it was not smart to invest using social security money in this kind of risk. Social security is vitally important and taking such risk should occur when substantial data exist pertaining to government or public investing in such risk. None exist at the time.
So, I would have started by allowing the public to invest in the hotel or road building or government buildings, by selling bonds, seeing the results of these and then proceed from there. To jump straight into risking a safety net into such kind of risk, for the little amount if return, if any, just makes no kind of sense at this moment.
History shows that government own or government invested hotels seem to never work out. I do think it could work eventually but it requires strategic and informed investment.
The decision of ABLP to only consider politics in their decision and not the advice of seasoned investors (not folks who made money while in politics and holding public offices) is just highly unreasonable and not prudent.
Jolly Beach should have been partially or fully owned by the people of the United Islands of Antigua and Barbuda by the issuing of Bonds, starting price from $25 to $100,000 in bonds. Raising perhaps a substantial part of the moneys the hotel need and maybe, social security could invest a substantially smaller amount into Jolly Beach, decreasing the risk of the safety net of Social Security.
I pray one day you people comprehend who is competent and who isn’t. I pray you no longer vote based on how your family votes but on competence, morals, and merit.