Lettersto the Editor
Bracingfor Economic Reform
Dear Sir,
In the Cayman Islands now economic survivalis a daily struggle, and the government's introduction of unpopulareconomic policies of the past has created a tense waiting gamefor us Caymanians now.
The economic reforms that are about to be undertaken by our leaders"hopefully" within the next couple of months will benefitevery single business and person living on our shores. The governmentis hoping that this present situation will hold and fix itself,this is so "wrong".
Caymanians are already struggling in an economy whose annual inflationhas risen significantly over the last 5 years, but without proper"economic data" from the government we are all misledin believing our economy is stable and it is not, that was provenon September 11, 2001.
Just let us put the hopeful numbers aside and think this economicpain inflicted by the government has been going on for a longtime now, sometimes this pain can be immediate--and sharp andnow our government is once again put in a position to act on behalfof the people who they represent.
Most Caymanians now seem to accept the need for an economic adjustment.If anything the government of the Cayman Islands can be creditedfor is the building of a consensus amongst us Caymanians thatchange is necessary, only because of failures of pass governments,this is more noticeable everyday on our shores.
Note: Past governments should not be blamed for our failures now,our government needs to become a "Government for REFORM"not focusing on the figures that don't even exist. This is whygovernment has to do it right this time or people will look formethods of expressions to express themselves.
Crime will play a big role in how this economic reform is handledby government this is the mean thing, everyone has to be happyI say or people will eventually start resorting to crime and violence.Many members of the upper and middle class of Cayman, who couldbe forming the backbone of any opposition to the government arejust sitting.
I guess what I am trying to say is that the "country's levelof privation" could one day trigger social unrest, even violence,if this government future policies don't produce visible results.I am sure the social situation today in Cayman is much worse thanwhat is was say 20 years ago, and the lack of credibility in our'Elected and Appointed Officials' is even much greater.
We can't forget that societies, when they can't find solutionsthrough peaceful means, they turn to violence. This has neverbeen as noticeable as it is right now in the Cayman Islands.
Don't forget such violence in a place considered peaceful canin turn; discourage the foreign investor such as a tourist. Ifcrime isn't looked into more during this reform it will certainlycause our government to backtrack on its planned reforms and spendeven more on social programs.
McCarron M. McLaughlin