I've hesitated getting back into the daily political fray but today's Tribune Business article on Government's "focus on 'hand ups, no give aways" is just too good to pass up.
I realise opposition political parties have a tendency to oppose for the sake of opposing, but one would think they would have done their homework, especially when trying to turn the spotlight on the Governments supposed cold heartedness toward the poor.
So the opposition has decided to deride the Government by suggesting they are "too obsessed with austerity measures and hitting its fiscal targets at the expense of assisting Bahamians in distress,…"
Well the Government responded.
Wait for it.
What do they say you ask?
Here's how the Deputy Prime Minister put it:
“If you look at the expenditure, social services expenditure is actually up. There’s no cutting back in that regard.
“Second, the investment in the small business area and general support for SMEs, sports groups and the like; there’s no cutting back. That’s misleading that we’re not responsive to people’s particular needs. We are very responsive in terms of the assistance we give."
Well blow me down. What a retort.
I am so looking forward to the Opposition's response. Or will they walk away with their tail between their legs?
On a serious note, when will the opposition offer ideas for public policy instead of hyperbole?
Scoring political points might be fun, but it does nothing to advance the debate. I would love to see a real discussion between the two financial guru's pictured above about ways to solve the country's problems than this tit for tat.
While some of the opposition's criticism regarding the country's finances is valid, this shows them up in a very poor light.
In closing, it would be an interesting statistic to compare poverty rates under the PLP and FNM because I am sick of the PLP's virtue signalling that they really care more and have done more for the poor than anyone else.
