LETTER: Don’t Let Gaston Fool You on the Cost of Living

30

Dear Editor,

 

I am so upset right now at Gaston Browne. He is trying to blame Russia for the rapid rise in costs at our supermarkets. I do not believe him. This is just an excuse.

 

The costs have been going up for many months now and they are likely to continue to rise. Instead of telling us how he plans to bring some relief to our economic hardship, the Prime Minister and his government are just talking and doing nothing about it.

 

While it is certainly a global phenomena, it is up to the various governments to make policy changes to address it and “ help ease the squeeze.” In his budget speech, Prime Minister Browne did not mention cost of living even once!

 

On the other hand, I like the fact that the UPP has at least come up with a plan to bring down the cost of living. While it will not solve all our problems, it is clear that the UPP is paying attention and they are evaluating the problems of the country and trying to come up with positive ideas. That is what we need to see in a government.

 

Don’t tell us the house is on fire. We can already feel the heat and smell the smoke. Try and get a fire truck to the scene of the fire as quickly as possible.

 

The UPP is focusing on how  they can reduce duty and taxes on key goods to address the cost side. I also like the fact that they are looking at the income side, to see how they can increase the minimum wage. Mr Lovell makes plenty sense and these are sound plans I believe can work.

 

We need action plans that can bring relief and hope to help people during these difficult times. This is what we need in a government – PLANS! REAL SOLUTIONS. Not just idle talk and the  blame game. We have all suffered for more than 2 years.

 

This election can’t come soon enough!

 

Gaston Browne: Make an effort not an excuse.

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30 COMMENTS

    • Aren’t they a UK territory? Their stimulus announced in Jan is some 6.5 million dollars. The UK government has provided those territories since 2020 some 40 million pounds, in covid assistance

    • @hmm: The Turks and Caicos are very clean and attractive Islands. I have been there several times and liked it very much. They got over 1.6 million Tourists in 2019.
      St Kitts and Nevis is an Independent Nation. They have given Stimuli to their Citizens and double Salaries at Christmas to all Civil Servants and they are not British Overseas Territory.What did the Citizens and Residences of Antigua and Barbuda get.They got the barking from the TAP DAWG and Cussing that follow. The women if given a stimulus, would use that money to fix their hairs and nails. If that happened those monies would have stayed in the Economy.

      • Yet most Jamaicans, would choose ANU over any of the 2 countries. Keep in mind SKN has had a CIP program since the 80’s (1984)which has aided it in having reserves. In ANU government has:
        1. Ensured banks insurance company, utility company instituted a moratorium
        2. Food packages for those in need
        3. Electrify cost reduction
        4. Subsided fuel prices to the point where ANU has the lowest cost in the OECS
        5. Kept some 13K public servants employed though there was a drastic decrease in government revenue
        6. Provided subsidies to famers (land prep, reduced water rates, provided seeds)
        7. Has bettered our health care facilities via IDC, added rooms, ventilators
        8. Provided covid related care via free testing, vaccines

    • Persons need to be creative and begin to think out the box to help themselves rather than depending on govts for stimulus all the time….

  2. This is permanent inflation being driven by biden’s loose free money policies. As our currency is tied to the US dollar and the fed policies the only real solution is to raise our prices to incoming tourists and use the extra income to raise wages across the board in the economy. Either that or we strengthen our exchange rate / currency peg.

  3. Thats right, less talk more action on the part of the prime minister is what is needed. Inaction does not solve anything. Any government that cannot provide an efficient and dynamic economy, where the welfare of its citizens is not maximized, should be removed from office. The government has the responsibility of providing a reasonable minimum wage and economic welfare provisions that help citizens. A competent government would know this and put measures in place reduce the burden of rising prices on the masses instead of focussing their policies and efforts towards advancing the wealth of select few within society. That is bad governance and is what we currently have in Antigua and Barbuda

  4. I think that our cost of living was always high because we do not support local anything. So our locals are not giving the opportunity to supply us . I said anything because I am not talking about agriculture alone .

  5. You really think that Gaston cares whether poor people are suffering. All Gaston cares about is filling his pocket.

  6. Antigua people are so backward in their thinking. Their version of getting a stimulus is to get actual money. The government has done soo much during the pandemic which did not involve persons getting cash.

    Mr Lovell makes plenty sense because it is all on PEARPA!!!

  7. Any logical thinking individual can reasonably expect that with the war in eastern Europe prices will likely be impacted especially if the war prolongs. I never heard the PM said what exist today in terms of high food prices is a direct correlation with what is taking place in Europe. Instead he rightly advise that we should brace ourselves for any further hike as a result of this. To cut a long story short as you never believe the PM’s opinion regarding high prices what then can you attribute it to and WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL DECISIONS? Oh no..I guess you are waiting to see what government can do!!!! Lazy set ah people you all be!!!

    • What did Gaston Browne do for anybody during the pandemic to give people a ease up.
      He opened his farm to compete with local farmers. That is what he did. And gave himself a 25% reduction in electricity.

      The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis is a real Prime Minister. He can give an account of how he spent the CBI funds. He pays his citizens on time. He gave double salaries for Civil Servants in December.
      Gaston Browne collected over 2 billion in CIP. Some went to SHARE Charity, some to a ghost cemetery, some to Barbuda ( no-fly airlines) Airlines and some just disappeared.

      Gaston has not done one thing to help us. If you can name one thing, please do?

        • EXACTLY…how they dnt complain about the USELESS MEN THEM SLEEP WITH EVERY NIGHT & MORNING THAT DNT ASSIST THEM WITH SHIT… HOW THEY DNT COMPLAIN WHY THEM KEEP BREEDING LIKE DOGS…FE USELESS MEN AT THAT…… HOW THEY DNT COMPLAIN WHY THEM SO LAZY ….SSS IS MOSTLY FOREIGNERS EMPLOYED…

  8. GASTON ….dnt need to give ANTIGUANS NO PHYSICAL CASH..

    YOU ALL TO FALLAFASHION … how 1 house has 4 to 5 cars..
    You were allowed barrels for free.99 he kept u all ugly asses still employed ( government) iwudda cut thestaff by 50% to get rid of u all since all u all do is go work to use government internetto go on fraudbook to mind ppl business instead of WORK.

    INSTEAD OF SEEING WHO CAN DRESS THE BEST YOU ALL SUDDA BEENSAVING ALL THE FETEPROMOTERS WHO BUILD APARTMENTS & HOUSES OUTOF U ALL DUMB NO AMBITIOUS ASSES..THE JAMAICANS MADE BA K WHILST YOU ANTIGUANS SUFFERED go figure!!

    • PREACH!!!!!! Say it louder for the hate club to hear especially ANGEL since it seems to be mouthpiece for the club!!!!!

      • GASTON is his own enemy. He hates himself. That is why he tries to drown his insecurity with (1) CUSSING PEOPLE (2) ENRICHING HIMSELF

    • Why are you so angry. Is it BECAUSE Gaston is a failure and you know it.
      temper, temper. Go and drink a glass of water. OPPS I forgot. Water is off. Another GASTON failure. NO WATER AFTER 14 DAYS

  9. UPP has a plan to help us, but who will have to pay for it in the long run?

    Leave UPP out of my government. I can’t afford them. We are still paying the price for sending all those teachers home!

    • Perhaps if Gaston didn’t waste the 2 billion from the CIP he would have money to help people.
      You see, Gaston only cares about himself. He has no feeling for poor black people.

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