NEW LAW PROPOSED FOR BELIZE:
ANYTIME THE TOTAL DEBT OF BELIZE RISES ABOVE 3% OF GDP, all elected politicians must be fired. They are then BANNED FOR LIFE from holding elective office in government management, ever again.
As anyone will tell you that public transportation and
public infrastructure is an essential component for the growth of any
economy. Weak economies have poor public transportation and the strong
economies have subways, metros, greyhounds, turnpikes, bridges, etc.
There is no disputing the fact that small population is a hindrance to
large growth, but the upside is that a small population should breath
manageability. Take Haiti for instance with near ten million people, the
large population was a hindrance to them. They have depleted there
natural resources such as trees, water, etc. to the point that there
lands are barren and the people are living in deep poverty.
I will not be one to be proverbial and say we need to
"count our blessings in Belize", because I know as a nation we can do
better, if the motives are genuine.
A
good transportation system requires substantial capital for it to be
viable. The present structure in Belize is a case of getting what you
paid for and even then in comparison with other countries what
Belizean pay is high. For example to travel 50 miles on a paved road one
will pay US$3.50 for a non-stop trip. That trip is still considered
cheap by the existing bus company because of the rising cost of fuel and
the high bank charges.
But bear in
mind that a bus permit for any of the bus lines have a one year life
span, which does not allow for any major investment to be made because
there is no way a one year contract will allow to pay off a large 10 to
15 year loan. Yet the policy makers refuse to be practical and increase
the permit period. It they do however then they can force bus operators
to improve on their equipment and service.
ADO in Mexico has been there for donkeys years because
they have been given time to recoup their investment and make a profit.
No one invest to lose money or because they are in love with Belize. We
must get real. The population has nothing to do with Belize's
backwardness, it is the backwardness in thinking that have Belize where
it is today.
Some will
argue that it is still a better place than most, but those in the
diaspora see Belize as their pet project, but they will remain in their
bigger economy with better public transportation and infrasture.
Life is
real, Belize is where it is economically and socially becaue its
citizens appreciate it as is. How is that to stir up the minds. Whenever
they want the change they will do so, don't worry about their noise.
There you have it my two cents to stir the thought.
Now
that we are beyond the political campaigning, how about discussing what
in your experience are some of the solutions to force changes in the
Belize City society. Regardless of political affiliations, all elected
officials must be made to represent the people who voted for them and
there should be a demand placed on then to define what will be done
(real programs) to instill civil pride, fix the playgrounds for the
kids, institute sports into the elementary schools and most important
their program to help reduce the level of crime. You now have Merida,
Caymans and I am sure many others where they have done something about
the crime rate. Maybe somebody should consider getting help from
Singapore where you will pay dearly if you commit a crime (any crime) .
Time to make all politicians be held accountable or else force a
referendum to recall them from their seats. Warren Buffet suggested he
can fix the US deficit and it include passing a law that says anytime
there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting member of
Congress are ineligible for re-election. Similar laws can be proposed to
ensure that those who ask for the job of governing, will be held
accountable to govern.
I
don’t live in Belize so I must respectfully defer to those who live
there to implement the solutions they deem appropriate. Let me know your
thoughts.
Great discussion - on my way out the door now but I'd like to continue
the interesting dialog. One point about Haiti, too many people, not
enough land and no natural resources; also sits on an island. One major
drawback in Belize, bureaucratic laws. Try to open a bank account as one
who lives abroad and you'll fond out. Also, the article that Michael
Lindo referred to was in the NY times and I believe I saved a copy . It
talked about the bureaucracy and corruption in Belize as compared to
Cayman.
G. Michael Reid
Citizen of the world
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