I have been invited to appear on Sandra Catron’s show ‘Straight Talk’ on Hott 104.1FM next Tuesday, September 5th to discuss some of the issues that have appeared on this blog. I have agreed and see it as a chance for you to have your voice heard by a different audience. Below are 20 'additional' questions I think Caymanians should ask ourselves, and which I would like discussed and considered by the listeners. I would like to know your opinions on some of these issues, plus feel free to let me know about other points regarding the rollover you would like addressed. Some of these will be controversial, but i'm sure we all agree that Cayman is currently at a pivotal point where the real issues must be addressed.
1. Do you believe that it is acceptable for our leaders to make comments such as 'Caymanians resent Expats'? In a country that depends on foreign workers & visitors for its prosperity? Consider that we are been watched closely by the international community.
2. Do you think that some Caymanians have to look at changing their work ethics? Come on lets face it, we must be doing something wrong if we are so ostracized.
3. Do you believe that all Caymanians are working as hard as they can, or are they expecting promotions and raises to be given to them because they are Caymanians?
4. If you are a Caymanian business owner or manager (yes there are plenty), how do you see the Caymanian worker compared to your expat workers?
5. Do you think that we as Caymanians, live beyond our means and refuse to sacrifice/save before we are able to purchase or invest? Whereas the expat is not ashamed to sacrifice and then invest? In other words are we a society of net savers/investors or are we a society of net spenders which has now caught up with us?
6. Do you think if every Caymanian was making money that we would be unhappy with the number of expats in our country?
7. Do you think that this 7 year roll over is more important than issues such as being unable to keep up financially with our day-to-day survival. Issues such as: high interest rates, high insurance, high cost of gas and electricity?
8. Can we as Caymanians honestly answer yes to the question, “Do I support other Caymanian owned stores or businesses or do I only care about getting the best price or choice?” That includes you going to Miami instead of shopping in Caymanian stores. I will be the first to say I am guilty of this. So are we going to support each other when the expats are not around to help our businesses?
9. Do you think that it is acceptable that our leaders are not accountable to the people who voted them in power?
10. Have you congratulated or complemented a Caymanian brother or sister lately for a job well done or for achieving some measure of success?
11. Are you as a Caymanian businessperson who has just risked every penny and borrowed additional funds, able to survive a slow down, until the time the Country recovers from the roll over?
12. Do you think that we can afford to give higher incentives and packages to attract new expats, considering that it might now be less appealing to come to Cayman to work?
13. Why, with all the money coming into our country, is our nation and our people still suffering?Iis this due to the expats or poor Leadership?
14. If our culture comprise of all the things that we grew up experiencing, how can someone take that away from us if we don’t let them?
15. How many hours of the day do we and our children, watch MTV, VH1, BET, Jerry Springer, Oprah, etc? How many hours of the day do you or your children play XBOX, Nintendo, Playstation or surf the internet? Is this ‘erosion of our culture’ because of the expats?
16. When was the last time you took your children outside to play gig, hopscotch, climb a tree, pick whelks, taught them to cook fish tea etc? If you haven’t, who is destroying our culture?
17. Do we really resent the expats or are we just frustrated that we have to adapt to a world that is moving much faster than we are accustomed to, yet they grew up with it?
18. Do you feel safe knowing that our leaders are basing their support of the implementation of the roll over policy through the small numbers of Caymanians that have the time to contact their offices (and to quote the Compass of Aug. 29, 2006) “My sense is that Caymanians are mostly in support of the roll-over policy” “Caymanians give him support on the issue every day - They call me, they text me, they come to my office”? Shouldn't we be hearing "Based on an private independent survey/poll 90% of the Caymanian people agree with the policy as it is being managed?
19. Why are we so afraid to speak our minds as intelligent professional Caymanians and not feel that we will be held back, ridiculed or ostracized by our boss, Government or community? Are we really that free as a nation?
20. This space is left for you... please add your thoughts.
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8 comments:
Paul,
I think it is very good that you are going on Sandra's show, and I will take the time to comment on each item in the order that you have listed them:
1. Our leaders, particularly Alden McLaughlin, who appears to be the more vocal of the group, should be more careful with his words. A big brawling headline such as 'Caymanians resent Expats', a direct quote from him, which he stood by, is truly alarming. Of course, when it becomes convenient, he will cast the blame on the media for fuelling this contempt.
2.Some Caymanians definitely need to, not only look at, but make positive changes to their work ethics. Some habits that I have witnessed in the work place, just should not be tolerated and I know that many expat bosses have been putting up with it just to be politically correct. I can speak from my years of management experience; at a seven mile beach condo; at a major furniture retail outlet and others. The number of no-shows, no phone calls to say I will be late, or I cannot make it in to work today, etc. I have had to go searching for employees and 'pull them out' of their drug holes to try to get them sobered up in order to get units ready during our peak tourist season. I have personally paid for drug rehabilitative services for more than one individual because they're 'my Caymanian people', and the end been cursed at, threatened and insulted when they run off to the labour board and come back with a letter condoning ther irresponsible behaviour. And that's another thing....the labour office/officers have done irreversible damage in this context, by encouraging employees to 'defraud' their employers. These words seem harsh, but they are true. Our people need to wake up and get real. I will say, that this is more pronounced in 'the younger generation', who seem to have 'raised themselves' since in many,many instances their parents were just not around to do it. It is very sad, because we have some very hard-working people and a good Caymanian worker is hard to beat - the problem is that we, the good Caymanian worker, is a rare find. In my opinion, the Caymanian with the proper qualification-experience for the job, who possesses good work ethics and has a good employment history,does not have any difficulty finding good employment and keeping it. You just have to look at Caymanian persons who have been with the same employer for years and years and continue to get their promotions and raises, etc. C&W and CUC are two great examples. Look at all the Caymanian managers (not just the top posts) but all the department heads, etc. These two companies have invested in their employees by schooling them, paying them while they are away at school and then ensuring that they have a good job waiting for them when they successfully complete their studies! Come on fellow Caymanians let's get real - the opportunities are there for us. Have we done our part? (honest answer requested).
3.I think this point is covered in the answer above to #2.
4.Some good Caymanian workers but just not enough.
5.Many Caymanians live beyond their means. Our children take it for granted that they will have a car (and not a used one) by the time they graduate from high school. There is definitely a 'keeping up with the Jones' mentality abounding.
6. Tough question - I will put some more thought into that before responding.
7. We have a number of pressing issues facing us and we need to prioritize and get them in order. However the roll-over policy must be high on that list since the ripple effect that I think will be caused as a result of this, will no doubt impact many of the other issues.
8. I can honestly say that I support Caymanian businesses since for one I really hate to travel! However, if I do have to - I fly the National Carrier - Cayman Airways! I shop Caymanian, I try very hard to be a 'good Caymanian'; I welcome visitors to our shore. I see hundreds of cruise ship passengers almost on a daily basis - I go out of my way to tell them, "I'm glad you chose to visit our shores - when they are so many other choices. I hope your one-day experience in Cayman will be so positive that you will come back and spend a real vacation with us." Unfortunately though, more and more are saying that Cayman is losing it's charm - that Stingray City is overcrowded and that the 'natives' aren't friendly. Getting back to our 'buy Caymanian' campaign - I was really surprised some years ago to discover that the Chanber of Commerce, who instituted that programme, made all their purchases for major events, etc. OVERSEAS.
9. How could it possibly ever be acceptable that democratically elected leaders are not accountable to the people?
10. I always go out of my way to congratulate/compliment, etc. However, I do have a bit of difficulty just heaping compliments on someone, simply because that person is 'Caymanian'. You see, Paul we, like any other nationality, need to earn our praises, raises, respect, etc. just like all God's other nationalities.
(I will have to continue this later - because as a responsible, hardworking Caymanian, I have to be to work at 9.00 am and I do believe that punctuality is a very important part of an overall good work ethic.
Thank you for the questions. I will reiterate them and follow with my response.
1. Do you believe that it is acceptable for our leaders to make comments such as 'Caymanians resent Expats'? In a country that depends on foreign workers & visitors for its prosperity? Consider that we are been watched closely by the international community.
• I do not know exactly what was said or the context in which it was said, but to deny that there are Caymanians (though not all Caymanians) who are resentful of the number of exats here would be foolish and not be helpful to the same public debate that you are trying to encourage. Resentment in some quarters is a fact, and this includes resentment by some expats of Caymanians. As Bob Marley sang “..the truth is an offense but not a sin”.
2. Do you think that some Caymanians have to look at changing their work ethics? Come on lets face it, we must be doing something wrong if we are so ostracized.
• I am not sure what you mean by ostracized; but yes for some Caymanians there is a need to improve work ethic ... in a similar fashion some Caymanians have to work harder at qualifying themselves. But this does not apply to all or even the majority of Caymanians. At the same time some employees must ensure that Caymanians receive the opportunities for jobs that are available (in line with the law) and expats generally should try better to integrate and to appreciate things Caymanian.
3. Do you believe that all Caymanians are working as hard as they can, or are they expecting promotions and raises to be given to them because they are Caymanians?
• Come now.. where anywhere are all the people working as hard as they can? The same applies, I am sure, to the expat working force here – are they all working as hard as they can? People are different and in a population we will find different work ethics and views.
4. If you are a Caymanian business owner or manager (yes there are plenty), how do you see the Caymanian worker compared to your expat workers?
• I am not a business owner and so cannot respond to the question.
5. Do you think that we as Caymanians, live beyond our means and refuse to sacrifice/save before we are able to purchase or invest? Whereas the expat is not ashamed to sacrifice and then invest? In other words are we a society of net savers/investors or are we a society of net spenders which has now caught up with us?
• As a society (Caymanian and Expat) my view is that we are the same as in North America – we are net spenders.
6. Do you think if every Caymanian was making money that we would be unhappy with the number of expats in our country?
• The question seemingly pre-supposes that either (a) money is the main focus and driver of Caymanians and for any potential concern regarding increasing immigration, or (b) indicates that because of immigration Caymanians are being left behind financially and hence the reason for unhappiness or concern with immigration. I do not think that either statement is 100% accurate nor do I feel the question is entirely useful. If I have to give an answer then it is that I do not feel that money is the real issue.
7. Do you think that this 7 year roll over is more important than issues such as being unable to keep up financially with our day-to-day survival. Issues such as: high interest rates, high insurance, high cost of gas and electricity?
• Yes I do.. and that does not diminish the importance of the other issues. I would add that increasing immigration has helped some of these issues and at the same time has caused some. The high cost of land and labour is a direct result of demand outstripping supply – hence increased cost. At the same time it could be argued that a higher population helps keep the costs of, say food items down by allowing for lower margins at the register but higher profits because of the increased purchasers.
8. Can we as Caymanians honestly answer yes to the question, “Do I support other Caymanian owned stores or businesses or do I only care about getting the best price or choice?” That includes you going to Miami instead of shopping in Caymanian stores. I will be the first to say I am guilty of this. So are we going to support each other when the expats are not around to help our businesses?
• I would and I do.. but similarly also shop overseas. However, I would add that I do not believe that we will be seeing a ‘population’ decrease with a rollover provision in the law. The so called rollover is a tool to control the number of people that would be added to the Caymanian population rather than a control for immigrant workers. That said, there may be an impact on certain parts of the economy.
9. Do you think that it is acceptable that our leaders are not accountable to the people who voted them in power?
• I will never feel this is acceptable – hence the reason I voted against the former Government and for the PPM; and I quickly add that I do not feel that this government is ignoring the voters who elected them. The majority of Caymanians, even some of the new Caymanians, I feel are in favour of a rollover provision in the immigration law. Indeed some expats that I know understand the reason for it- they just wish it applied to newcomers and not to them. What is needed is for the law to be as fair as possible and to try as hard as possible to balance the needs of business against reasonable growth of new citizens.
10. Have you congratulated or complemented a Caymanian brother or sister lately for a job well done or for achieving some measure of success?
• Yes I have.
11. Are you as a Caymanian businessperson who has just risked every penny and borrowed additional funds, able to survive a slow down, until the time the Country recovers from the roll over?
• I will leave this to business people to answer for themselves. But what I do not understand is how businesspeople did not start planning for this back in 2003 when the law was being introduced and in January 2004 when it was passed - allowing businesses and individuals a window of 2 years to get themselves sorted out. Employers (including those of us with helpers etc) have perhaps done the country and their employees a disservice if we ignored the law for whatever reason. Similarly the former Government should have done a better job at educating the public on the issue.
• I would add also that the importance of a providing for reasonable growth of new citizens, growth at a rate that can encourage integration of new Caymanians as well as allow for acceptance of immigrants by so called indigenous Caymanians, is not about self or personal profit or even necessarily about the present. It is about the collective good of the Cayman Islands and all her people (old and new Caymanians as well as guest workers) for next year and the many years to come. Growth in the economy is important but cannot be the entire focus with social welfare and growth of the people being ignored.
12. Do you think that we can afford to give higher incentives and packages to attract new expats, considering that it might now be less appealing to come to Cayman to work?
• Lets see what happens once the new law and the changes are in place. I’d rather give the new law a chance rather than preaching doomsday is nigh.
13. Why, with all the money coming into our country, is our nation and our people still suffering?Iis this due to the expats or poor Leadership?
• This question again seemingly suggests that money should make us all happy and that whatever problems that Caymanians perceive to be caused by overwhelming immigration lies with poor leadership. I am not so sure that the answer is so easy. But if I was to assume that it was then I would agree that poor leadership is the cause because Governments should have possibly implemented a rollover provision years ago – as suggested six years ago in Vision 2008. Instead Governments either ignored the problem or compounded the problem with the wholesale status grants of 2003. Whether justified or not, the 3000 status grants (done the way there were) has meant that:
(a) an additional number of children or dependants of these 3000 new Caymanians will now have the right (as they should) to apply and receive Cayman status. I have heard that a conservative number would be about 6000 individuals but likely the number is higher.
(b) As I believe was reported in the press there is a ‘problem’ with ‘new’ Caymanians (granted status by Cabinet) legally adopting their grandchildren and nephews, nieces etc and then applying for their ‘adopted children’ to have Cayman status. I understand that the adoption board has been inundated with requests like this. Consider the impact on the need for schools etc as well as on the social fabric.
(c) Whilst the cabinet status grants did contain individuals who should have received Cayman status it also contained many who should not have received – to the detriment of many people here who should have been considered.
To sum up. This issue should have been tackled a long time ago but was not because Governments knew the storm in a teacup that would be caused and did not tackle it. The last Government pretended to tackle it but in a haphazard way that made the situation worse.
14. If our culture comprise of all the things that we grew up experiencing, how can someone take that away from us if we don’t let them?
• I am not sure that any country in modern times has had the experience whereby immigrant growth has been as rapid as it has been here in the past 25 years- thereby outstripping the local populace. but I'd be best to leave this question to the sociologists and only add that as you hinted at previously – governments must listen to the people who elected them. So whilst the question of whether culture would be or could be lost makes for good debate- the concerns of the local people who elected the Government cannot be ignored and scoffed at as irrational. They must be listened to and they will and should insist on this.
15. How many hours of the day do we and our children, watch MTV, VH1, BET, Jerry Springer, Oprah, etc? How many hours of the day do you or your children play XBOX, Nintendo, Playstation or surf the internet? Is this ‘erosion of our culture’ because of the expats?
• No doubt it is. And this debate exists in other countries as well. In Europe there are many who blame Starbucks and Burger King for negatively impacting their culture. They despise American jargon for destroying their language. In the UK at the moment politicians, whilst agreeing that migration by Eastern Europeans has helped the UK economy, are possibly considering limiting further migration as new countries are admitted to the EU. This in part due to concerns of Britons who are concerned about their jobs and possible impact on british life.
16. When was the last time you took your children outside to play gig, hopscotch, climb a tree, pick whelks, taught them to cook fish tea etc? If you haven’t, who is destroying our culture?
• Not everyone espouses that their Cayman culture primarily comprises gigs, hopscotch, tree climbing etc. your point is taken but there are other sides to the story.
17. Do we really resent the expats or are we just frustrated that we have to adapt to a world that is moving much faster than we are accustomed to, yet they grew up with it?
• Sorry… the question oversimplifies the issue and misses the point. The rollover provision is not about getting rid of expats – it is about reasonable and acceptable growth in the number of new citizens. I have lived and worked as an expat. I am married to an expat. I recognise that Cayman is already a cosmopolitan place and this cannot be changed. There is no going back. But given the increasing size of our population it must be understandable that not everyone can remain here and become citizens. In 2000 our population was circa 35000. Six years later I am hearing anywhere from 50,000 to 60,000. What will it be in the next six years? Can even half of these good people, along with their dependents, expect to be able to remain and work here forever – can they all expect to become Caymanians? No country anywhere would allow this to happen and for good reason. I do not resent expats – but I recognise the need for rational growth of new Caymanians.
18. Do you feel safe knowing that our leaders are basing their support of the implementation of the roll over policy through the small numbers of Caymanians that have the time to contact their offices (and to quote the Compass of Aug. 29, 2006) “My sense is that Caymanians are mostly in support of the roll-over policy” “Caymanians give him support on the issue every day - They call me, they text me, they come to my office”? Shouldn't we be hearing "Based on an private independent survey/poll 90% of the Caymanian people agree with the policy as it is being managed?
• The numbers of Caymanians that our MLAs speak with are greater that you seem to think - and they are from all walks of life. In addition, Caymanians in the past, when faced with something that they truly decry, make their voices known. Even to the point at times of having rallies and marches. I see no Caymanians calling for a march against this provision. In my own discussions with Caymanians I hear either (a) they have not thought about it; (b) it is needed to help ensure that that they are able to move up the corporate ladder; (c) needed in their workplace but wish that it did not impact their helper; (d) it is needed to ensure that there is a place for future generations of Caymanians in their country; (e) will scare away good expats; and yes there is even at times (f) do not like too many expats and this should have been done long ago. I have taken no official poll but Yes I do feel that the majority of Caymanians I have spoken with at work and elsewhere have no problem with the rollover provision. As do some expats.
19. Why are we so afraid to speak our minds as intelligent professional Caymanians and not feel that we will be held back, ridiculed or ostracized by our boss, Government or community? Are we really that free as a nation?
• You are implying that the majority of Caymanians are against the rollover provision and hence the reason you do not see tons of letters in the press or marches against the provision. Perhaps the truth lies in the possibility that the majority of Caymanians are for the provision but are afraid of speaking out for fear of their expat boss or supervisor or perhaps do not want to hurt a friend who is an expat. I am not saying I feel this is the case but only wish to present another model to answer the question you posed. I will say this, if one followthe press, particularly one newspaper whose daily chant is to put down Caymanians as xenophobic, then perhaps most Caymanians cannot be bothered to say they are opposed lest they get castigated?
• But to answer your last question – yes we are free as a nation. Indeed this Government, whom I support, has helped this freedom to blossom by encouraging dialogue and criticism. How quickly we forget the perceived fear that existed when the UDP were in power. How quickly we forget Macs dressing down of a local reported who dared to ask a question he did not want asked at a press conference. Or about the ten minutes silence that the Radio Cayman Newspeople had at the start of the 5:00pm news – all because the UDP refused to allow the station to air a news story. And lets not forget the lawsuits against the media and withholding of contracts. Indeed I recall business people who were fearful that if they spoke against the UDP that they would not get Government contracts. Would the UDP have allowed the Dr Luarca to stage a protest in front of the Glasshouse? I think not. Say what you may but you cannot deny that the PPM Government has supported free speech.
I close my comments by re-iterating a portion of what you said in an article on the main page – “The real issue that needs to be addressed is long-term population growth.” I would add that this includes the growth of the Caymanian population. The rollover provision is a tool to do just that. It is a blunt tool, as the Cayman Observer recently noted, but it is a necessary one. Lastly the rollover provision is not new – it was espoused in the (regrettably mostly ignored) Vision 2008 National Strategic plan that was put together in 1999-2000 with the help of hundreds of Caymanians and expats alike.
If you have read this far I thank you for taking the time to listen to my views. I hope I have helped the debate.
Hi Paul,
Here's my views on the questions you have put forward.
1. It is unacceptable for a leader of any country & a representative of the people to make such a divisive statement. Then to have the gall to show absolutely no remorse, and reiterate it, knowing that this is read via the net ALL over the globe. This shows not only that he's ignorant but puts Caymanians in a bad light, we're already thought of as money laundering criminals for other peoples money,SO can you imagine what the world thinks of us now!!!!
2. Unfortunately I do, lets face facts there are some Caymanians that can use up their 10 sick days in 1 month, the funny thing is if they call in sick today, when they come to work the next day they are amazingly healthy??? The younger generation I feel takes advantage of the fact that they have these sick days and take them as a mini vacation. This is WRONG its in fact no different than stealing, because you're not sick but you tell a lie to stay at home & collect a days pay. Thats dishonest. Another thing they want to stroll into work at their leisure as if they're the boss or owner. I worked the same job for 13 years & at the end of each year I would have more than half of my sick days left if not all. When you're sick, you're sick, if not GO TO WORK.
3. I don't feel SOME are working hard enough. They are satisfied to live hand to mouth, just to have the bling, bling as they call it. They don't say ok I want to retire by say 45, so if I can give up just a little of the bling and come to work more often, give 110% (EARN your day pay), not just looking for hand outs, they would be further ahead. I feel that the parents of today have helped foster the laziness, because they have this attitude of letting their children sleep until 10, 11 or 12noon, while they get up & do all the chores, then once their prince & princesses wake, they're served with whatever they feel for. I was a teen in the late 70's to mid 80's & my first job at 16yrs required me to be to up at 5am and had to reach work by 6AM. I had to work hard to achieve my goals. It did not come over night, and it did not come by being lazy either. Not to toot my own horn, but I can say I've been in a Managerial position while working for a foreign owned company, have not yet reached 45 but is the Director of MY OWN COMPANY, and with the help of God will be able to retire (if I so chose, might feel lost not working)by the end of the year. ALL BY HARD WORK.
4. I see that most expats set a goal & try very hard to reach it. They think about advancement, reaching for the stars, and being able to retire at a young age. Caymanians think about Party, whos driving the latest model bmw or benz, whos shoes, bag, clothes etc. is most expensive, who has the biggest house, can take the most trips to Miami, who has the most expensive jewelry, who has the biggest diamond ring, who wears a rolex. Not how can I reach the top, be my own boss, retire before I'm 50.
5. answered by 4.
6. I think they would have to be earning at least $5,000.00 pwk to be happy.
7. I think it is as important because, it will affect every person in this country, as the economy slows down, companies forced to close their doors for lack of customers/ clients. Caymanians & immigrants alike will be unemployed so who'll pay cuc high rates.
8. I can answer YES!!!!! I have been to Miami ONCE FOR SHOPPING. Then I realized it didn't make any sense, because by the time you factor in the cost of ticket , hotel, car, or cab if you don't drive in the US, food, incidentals, you bring something home & its defective or just plain DON"T WORK (after working perfect the day you saw it in the store), so now you're stuck with it and can't take it back, YOU LOSE. SO all in all its not worth it. All you have to do here is to shop around. There are deals & if you're spending alot of money all at once at one location, do as the tourist do, ASK FOR A DISCOUNT.
If I have to go to Miami on business or going on vacation thats a different matter, but just for shopping never again, and as a matter of fact Miami is not that cheap anymore. Try this, add all of your expenses for the shopping trip, to the cost of the item you purchased. Then check the local price divide by 2.5 (mark up)then subtract 30% (freight& duty) and you'll know if you really saved by not shopping local.
Sorry I'll have to answer the others tomorrow. have a good nite
Roy,
I am an expat and I personally would like to thank you for a brilliantly written letter. I think your observations are right on the money (no pun intended)and you were able to enlighten me on the Caymanian perspective (planned growth) without insulting or blaming anyone, .....Thank you.
Ever considered running for politics???
To answer the person who asked Roy Tatum if he considered 'running for politics', he is already very much 'in politics' and most likely his response to Paul's questions is the unofficial response of the PPM government.
It's good to see Caymanians finally accepting a degree of responsibility for some of this island's problems. (I think the major problems are concentrated in Grand Cayman - although, unfortunately, the Sister Islands have to suffer as a result of Grand Cayman's screw-ups)! The real problem (no pun intended) is when Caymanians sold out their land. People were anxious for the money and all the things that money could buy - so whoever owns the land is definitely going to have control. Caymanians sold out and now Caymanians have to deal with the consequences. It is not the FOREIGNER to blame for our woes. Caymanians signed the land transfers, Caymanians signed off all the planning approvals; Caymanians signed the work permits; the company licences; the trade and business licences - come on people, we are a sorrowful bunch of hypocrites who want to eat all our cake all at once and still have plenty left for later. It just doesn't work that way! STOP BLAMING OTHERS FOR OUR SELF-INFLICTED INJURIES.
Paul,
"Straight talk" Cont.
Well it looks like my pc got exausted, I'd reached answering #15 last night & it FROZE so I lost all I'd written, needless to say I was a wee bit annoyed.
9. No. It is NOT acceptable, thats why we need a referendum law. I am willing to bet that not one politician has the guts to bring a motion to the house that says,- ALL politicians who's actions while in power, are questionable, against the peoples wishes, or has a detrimental effect to the economy of these islands should be held accountable.
10.Yes I have, & will continue to do so.
11. Doesn't apply to me, thank God I've passed that stage, I truly feel for those who have not.
12. Higher incentives? No definitley not. Anymore & this will only drive the cost of doing business in this country higher. The fall out would be (A)international companies pulling out ( we must realize that, not to pick on, the offshore banks are renting office space, their clients monies are not all normally in any banks here, as they only transfer as needed, so basically they are just working the numbers. Its easy for them to close office overnight & leaving a couple of staff memebers to cleanup the balance, they can leave & be operating in another country immediately, & within a week it would be like they never existed). (B) local owned companies have to close its doors, because lets face it there are not enough Caymanians to fill the vacancies.
13. Living above their means & (as someone said on one of the talk shows the other day, which I agree with whole heartedly)protection/immigration board failing to do their job.
14. THEY CAN'T!!!!!!! all we have to do to keep it alive it PASS IT ON, as quickly as we would pass on gossip.
15. Well you've said a mouthfull because we are ALL guilty of tv- mania may not be with the shows you mentioned but nonetheless, I know I am. But, I do make sure to pass on to my kids, neices, & nephews the "culture" and values that my parents & grandparents passed down to me.
16. Must say you've got me there with the gig & so on, have told them but haven't shown them. The native dishes (not crab) well, yes, its food.
17. I think that some (NOT ALL, NOT 90% I doubt 15%) people DO resent expats, when they look back & see that their foreparents (like someelse mentioned) sold what should be their inheritance and now they have to work so hard. But thats not expats fault. Set the blame where it lays at the feet of Caymanians. This world is now a global village, we are no longer the Islands time forgot. We wanted the luxury, the development, and we've got it. But with those things comes all the other evils with it.
There is a saying that its not how much money you make its what you do with it, that counts. I've heard more than one person in my life time remark as they see what Jamaicans come here & acheive "they just come ya, & they got house & land already", My reply to them is take a page from their book, look at how they live. I'm not saying that we must live in a shack, but, if we put our pride aside for once an give up a few excesses like unnecessary trips to miami, a little less name brand, partying etc. and not changing cars every year, we could be acheivers too, even on the smallest of salary.
18.NO I DON'T. A POLL IS NEEDED. A LEGAL UNBIASED POLL TO KNOW THE FACTS.
19. Well its clear to all who read my postings & those who know me, I'm difinitely not afraid, only of GOD. But generally speaking, The government of the Cayman Islands only let us feel like we're free but we have to worry about being black listed. People take my attitude, they CANNOT take you're permit, status, or deport you. So SPEAK YOUR MIND & THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE. I MUST WARN you if you do feel the need to be liked by all don't become outspoken. I always tell people with me what you see is what you get & you'll always know how I feel because whatever is on my mind comes out of my mouth.
20. I think that its time for our people to act like people who live in the 5th largest financial center in the world that we so easily boast about. There is a saying that united we stand, divided we fall, well it was that unity that made Cayman what the wealthy paradise it been, but this divide will let it fall. I know that all persons cannot be allowed to stay, now their trying to "fix things", but that is the result of no foresight into what development brings. To enforce laws that will no doubt slow the economy down, will only hurt the people that this government claims its trying to help. There should have been a genuine impact study done before the implementation of this law, not now trying to corral the horse after he's gone through the gate.
As for the Minister of Education, if he was working in the private sector he would have been fired. As a matter of interest I wonder if his comments would constitute a charge for inciting a riot. People we must remember that wars have been started for less than those comments. As I & many more Caymanians are not included in his 90%, he should issue a public apology to us. We did not make Cayman the 5th largest financial center in the world by ourselves. More than 100 nations of the world had a hand in making THE CAYMAN ISLANDS the evny of most first, second & third world countries. How would you feel if you lived half of your life, invested your time & money, raised your children and work toward retirement, while helping build a thriving country where you're children who were born (even though by law their not from there -like THE LOST GENERATIONS OF CAYMAN) and one day you wake up & are told you have 2wks to sell your house, business, take your kids ou of school & get out. What a terrible feeling that must be.
I agree with the answers poised by Roy Tatum. As a young Caymanian I can say that my views are in line with his, regardless of whether anyone thinks that his response was actually from the PPM Government.
This country has been through unprecedented growth in the past 30yrs. I am almost completely positive in saying that no other country has experienced the growth rate that we have, at the very least no country of our minute size has experienced anything similar.
I agree with just about all of the initiatives that the PPM government are responsible for… Our country may have some large pills to swallow, but quicker they are taken, the quicker the healing will begin. And just before anyone jumps on this...I don't know Roy or of his ties with the PPM Government.
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