Real News Antigua: Retired university lecturer Dr. George Daniel is disproving boasts by Prime Minister Gaston Browne that Antigua and Barbuda’s economy is far better than any other in the region, except Guyana’s, with its newly found oil wealth.
Browne has been making this declaration for the past two years, with his most recent pronouncement being on Friday, December 15, as he presented the 2024 national budget.
However, Dr. Daniel says that, having reviewed the 2022 budget, the conclusion he has drawn is that Antigua and Barbuda does not have a revenue problem; rather, it suffers from a management problem.
Looking at the economy of St. Kitts & Nevis, Dr. Daniel notes that the recurrent expenditure for that small Federation – the population of which is half of Antigua and Barbuda’s – is actually greater than this country’s.
In short, he says the Federation spends more, per capita, on providing goods, services, and salaries to its people than the Government of Antigua and Barbuda does. And, he adds, the
economy of St. Kitts & Nevis allows that government to fund itself to an extent that is greater than that of Antigua and Barbuda.
Given these realities, Daniel rubbishes PM Browne’s talk about this country being an economic powerhouse, since, he says, St. Kitts & Nevis has surpassed us.
Meanwhile, Dr. Daniel says that, in 2014, the Browne Administration came into office with what he deems a “gold mine” – the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) it inherited from the Baldwin Spencer Administration.
Based on the excess revenue that was generated from the CIP, he says, the Labour Party Government was able to operate with a current account surplus to pay for regular expenditure.
According to the retired university lecturer, there was more money collected than was spent. But by 2018, Dr. Daniel says, the Government was into a current account deficit.
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St. Kitts and Nevis is able to do what it is doing because of Antigua. Antigua has allowed that small country to access services such as airlift and health facilities. If Antigua was to prevent people from St. Kitts and Nevis from coming to Antigua where would it be? St. Kitts should be made to pay Antigua for all the services it has provided to it over the years. St. Kitts should be reminded that they are a small country that is dependent on Antigua.
@bilbo from all saints
Respectfully, what does that have to do with the points of mismanagement that is clear? Why on earth was there a need for increase taxes on food when other avenues existed for revenue collection?
Based on my experience and observation, there are no experts in business, economics and accounting within the government and sadly no one will accept this problem and just genuinely change it and make things better.
Just like there are no experts in social sciences within the government pertaining to economic impact and national security. That will never change under this administration because it will cause fights when the expert tells the non-expert elected officials how incompetent their ideas often are.
Then the public will side with the incompetent politicians because the public is programmed to only trust what they have and nothing new.
Even someone family members that you think would have the sense to know the family member is more competent than politician refuses to comprehend this because of duty free, ham, turkey.
I will say this confidently, and humbly, there is no politician in Antigua that is more competent than I am in economics, law and society. Human behavior also.
If I was interested in politics mone of them care about humans than I do. None of them has made the sacrifices I have made to help others I have done. But the brainwashed voting public and even family will not be able to accept it emotionally.
So no substantial change will ever be made there. This is coming from me, advance degree and course in law and society, and economics from ivy league and top university.
I do not want to be in politics because of the minds of the public but I am begging the public to now begin voting for experts in their field or those who truly value the exceptional abilities of those in their field of study.
Antigua and Barbuda have those people, seek them, they are all mostlikely overseas. Doesn’t that fact tells you something?
If you understand people then you will be able to know what they want and care about. The public is not interested in experts and ivy leagues. They want people who they like to represent them. You can’t expect a woman to be with a man because he has a nice job and is respectful. A woman will choose a man who turns her on even if he is disrespectful. You have to give the people what they want. Stop thinking the voting public is brainwashed, these people know what they want.
By the way, no one in Antigua is hungry. Many people wear luxury brands and order stuff from Amazon. Many people have expensive cell phones and waste money on non essentials. Antiguans are living a good life. Poor people can’t do the stuff Antiguans do.
the management of government finances has been deplorable.
Bilbo from All Saints…. Wow! You’re sounding like an illiterate dunce! Why such obvious hatred for St. Kitts sir? St. Kitts can access healthcare from anywhere in the world. They coming here for healthcare is actually helping Antigua’s economy, it’s not a free service, they’re paid for services, so financially, who is benefitting? That’s right, Antigua! Also, don’t Antiguans go to Barbados, Trinidad, the US and other places for healthcare services? Yes they do! So does Antigua now owe these places because it’s citizens went for healthcare? Of course not. You’re a hotttt mess Bilbo!
I remember when I first came to Antigua, I was shocked to see the huge number of little wooden houses, outside latrine toilets and outside baths. St. Kitts has moved away from those a long time ago. But let’s not get into that. I can see that things are now changing here with nice homes, and I applaud that, nice.
But did you really say, “St. Kitts should be reminded that they are a small country that is dependent on Antigua”??? Since when St. Kitts is dependent on Antigua? You’re really a hottt mess!!! If you have an open mind, go visit St. Kitts, then come back here with an “honest” assessment.
Anyway, forget about St. Kitts for now… in comparison to many other Caribbean countries, Antigua is far behind. I often hear that Antigua is an economic powerhouse in the Caribbean, but for the life of me, I don’t see that translated to what I see here. Some places don’t have government running water in this day and age, roads are terrible, especially secondary roads, electricity goes often, at least in the area where I live, roadsides aren’t neatly kept, and I can go on and on.
If you know anything about economics, you will know that usually when the government increases taxes, especially so rigorously, it’s because the government doesn’t have money and looking to increase its earnings. So if things are indeed so great with a nice surplus here, then there is no need to tax the people so much.
So perhaps things are not as great as being said, and it doesn’t take a high school diploma to figure that out.
Lastly, let’s stop the hate on other Caribbean islands. I’ve heard too many hateful comments on other Caribbean countries here, and it’s not good. We are supposed to be building each other, not competing against each other and pulling each other down! That’s slavery mentality. Enough said.
You have just wasted my time that I so cherish and wasted yours too. This Bilbo has not understood anything that you’ve said. Those are the people who are paid to represent the Antigua Labour Party. He/She/It is not aware that Antigua is all the better, economically, when people visit for any purpose. Antigua could’ve been further if it had not been for the Bandits who control the State’s funds. Applaud St. Kitts and condemn the Bandits for our misfortune.
How dare you talk to me so disrespectfully! You think saying mean things behind the safety of your computer is honourable?
The writer Dr. Daniel started the comparison with St Kitts and I just finished it. Antigua has in so many rich people compared to St. Kitts. Antigua is who showed St. Kitts how to improve their standard of life. You need to be a student of history. How many Kittitians had to come to Antigua for school and training? This is only one. How much things Kittitians had to come to Antigua for because nothing was in St. Kitts? Every thing they see Antigua do they run back and follow. This is how St. Kitts was able to develop themselves from the kindness of Antigua. Don’t forget that.
You are crazy!!! St. Kitts has always been a progressive place of it’s own dude! And so what if persons from SK came to Antigua to be trained, so what! Don’t Antiguans go to Barbados, Trinidad, the US, the UK, etc, etc, etc. to be trained and to further their education? They even still do that. How many Antiguans are in US universities right now? Do they owe the US anything? No. You’re a fool and a disappointment to Antigua with your stupid prejudice ugly self.
St. Kitts owe Antigua nothing. Antigua owe St. Kitts nothing. You must learn to celebrate peoples success and stop being so bitter!
America came out of Europe, yes, white Europeans who moved there and built up the place. Do they owe England anything for that? No they don’t, because they fought hard for what they have and where they are now.
Stop making yourself an idiot talking nonsense about history. Go sit down and learn to reason well. You’re embarrassing Antigua.
@Bilbo From All Saints…
…you have given me, the vibes for another refrain!
…since, your casting unsubstantiated blames!
…some, are even calling you a #dunce!
…and, it‘a happened more than, once!
…so, let me join the chorus, in song & dance!
…now, as you talk about “making Kitticians,”
…I, know this includes Nevisians
..,but, how about those Serians
…the Dominicanos or Jamaicans?
…did, the British expats and Guyanese
…vaccinated, or did they too, catch the disease
…so, ah begging you please! Please! Please!
…the only thing which makes s #wrong!
…and, I’ll put it in a song!
…then, sing it all day long!
…when will, ANTIGUANS MAKE ANTIGUANS?
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De ‘ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
Bilbo you’re such a FOOL…….Don’t the people from st.kitts pay taxes in Antigua like any other foreigner??Antigua can never come back economically right now…….The grabbing and self gain of this present government administration puts Antigua in a sink hole………Antiguans won’t see what this government is doing until there’s no food on their table,that’s when it will be too late………….The day is going to come that red supporters won’t even want to see or hear about the color, let’s wait and see……..ANTIGUA IS NO F__CKING POWER HOUSE,GASTON IS MAKING ANTIGUA THE POOR HOUSE OF THE CARIBBEAN
You are so right,but most people wont see it until its too late
Bs from All Saints
I hope that you are kidding and that your comments are meant to be humorous, cause if not, then you are as dumb as a rock! Let’s just put the blame where it is. This administration has mismanaged the economy and can give no responsible account of our money. Can you say creative enrichment schemes!
Bilbo from All Saints…what thou sayest maketh no senseth!🤣
I don’t mind taxes as long as I can see the result of them in society e.g. water that runs 24-7 (3 days without water is unacceptable). We definitely need to take a serious look at how we prioritise spending to ensure important problems are being addressed. In spite of allegations of an over-focus on self-enrichment, I actually think that the PM cares about developing the country and improving the quality of life of those struggling at the bottom. It does seem to be a problem locally that many view the government as a cash cow to be exploited. Managers get positions and immediately give lucrative contracts to their friends whether they deserve them or not. They spend on frivalous activities whilst workers suffer from poor working conditions, lack of equipment and salaries too low to keep up with the cost of living.
Obviously, Bilbo from All Saints is an idiot incapable of using Google and easily brainwashed to boot.
…U hear #Shats
…BOOM! SHAKA_LAKKAH!
…PM ‘Stach’ Browne
…even though, you’re not the ONLY one, to be blamed,
…Dr. Daniel is calling your name
…and, such a statement, by the good Doc
…might, might put you to shame!
…#Yes_Indeed! #Yes_Indeed!
…but, it looks like he’s talking facts.
…and, we cannot get away from that!
…so, PM ‘Stache’ Browne,
…as, the clock goes #tic_toc! #Tik_Tok! #Tic_Toc!
…your time is up!
… The People MUST stand up!
…and, run you and the ABLP goons and crooks
…all the way to #COOKS!
…some to the Jail!
…without, even getting bail.
Madame Magistrate! Hail! Hail! Hail.
…but at the very least’
…You MUST be run out of office!
…’cause, The People have made enough sacrifice!
…to you, and your godly beasts!
Now, #Papi_Scorpion!
Kum een, and help me to sing this song!
And! You cyan bring Papi & De Conch shell along.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De ‘ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
…
…
…
Bilbo from All Saints…. Wow! You’re sounding like an illiterate dunce! Why such obvious hatred for St. Kitts sir? St. Kitts can access healthcare from anywhere in the world. They coming here for healthcare is actually helping Antigua’s economy, it’s not a free service, they’re paid for services, so financially, who is benefitting? That’s right, Antigua! Also, don’t Antiguans go to Barbados, Trinidad, the US and other places for healthcare services? Yes they do! So does Antigua now owe these places because it’s citizens went for healthcare? Of course not. You’re a hotttt mess Bilbo!
I remember when I first came to Antigua, I was shocked to see the huge number of little wooden houses, outside latrine toilets and outside baths. St. Kitts has moved away from those a long time ago. But let’s not get into that. I can see that things are now changing here with nice homes, and I applaud that, nice.
But did you really say, “St. Kitts should be reminded that they are a small country that is dependent on Antigua”??? Since when St. Kitts is dependent on Antigua? You’re really a hottt mess!!! If you have an open mind, go visit St. Kitts, then come back here with an “honest” assessment.
Anyway, forget about St. Kitts for now… in comparison to many other Caribbean countries, Antigua is far behind. I often hear that Antigua is an economic powerhouse in the Caribbean, but for the life of me, I don’t see that translated to what I see here. Some places don’t have government running water in this day and age, roads are terrible, especially secondary roads, electricity goes often, at least in the area where I live, roadsides aren’t neatly kept, and I can go on and on.
If you know anything about economics, you will know that usually when the government increases taxes, especially so rigorously, it’s because the government doesn’t have money and looking to increase its earnings. So if things are indeed so great with a nice surplus here, then there is no need to tax the people so much.
So perhaps things are not as great as being said, and it doesn’t take a high school diploma to figure that out.
Lastly, let’s stop the hate on other Caribbean islands. I’ve heard too many hateful comments on other Caribbean countries here, and it’s not good. We are supposed to be building each other, not competing against each other and pulling each other down! That’s slavery mentality. Enough said.
does Gaston or Maria ever get up one day and drive around the country to see the condition of some of these villages? the roads, the poor drainage, no proper sporting facilities and so on.
The Follys Housing area has the worst roads ever, Swetes Basketball court is still in shambles, the road from St John’s to English Harbour is terrible Roman Hill, Fig Tree Drive to Ffryes needs fixing….and so much more
Bilbo the village idiot, and probably the one and only ABLP supporter living in All Saints. Thankfully, the UPP is already strongly represented there.
Remember @ Bilbo, when jackass 🫏 smell corn 🌽, he gallops …
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