By James M Bodden III

The continuity and workability of government would ease and elevate the overall cost and expenditure to the country.

With our internal resources as we currently possess, we should create a continuity initiative in which each branch of government would work in accordance with the other to alleviate the overall needs of each individual ministry and authority.

The recent adopted governmental doctrine of private inclusion and sponsorship has only increased the separatist ideology already inherent within our governmental structure. We have authorities and departments that are isolated and relatively restricted due to their level of privatisation. By separating the internal budgets, the government is only increasing the overall management and operational costs.

However, if the continuity and inter-departmental participation within the government became a sponsored initiative there would be a reduction in total cost because the needs of the individual branches would not be left simply upon themselves. The needs and fallbacks of the individual authorities and departments would be assigned to an oversight body, which would then coordinate how the resources and services already present in government would then be utilised to aid the individual issues.

Take the port for instance, as much work and development as possible could be undertaken by the Public Works Department (with coordination within the overall development scheme and direction) regarding the port. This continuity directive could be utilised throughout the entire chain and hierarchy of government. If there are employment vacancies, simply utilise the Department of Employment Relations and the Education Department’s resources and hire from within the already bursting unemployed. This would lessen our unemployment issues and lower the cost towards government. For example, if there is low productivity within a particular branch, our social and counselling services would be utilised to alleviate the relative problems. It is a matter of internalisation and utilisation, using and taking advantage of what we have.

We are being made an example. We are being used as a ‘scapegoat’ to qualify the apparent global initiative, spouting the “evils of tax havens”. With our complete lack of natural resources and already misappropriated economy, we are essentially under attack. Our only choice is to internalise and fortify ourselves. Then we have to launch our own “counter assault”. The Cayman Islands are not evil, our tax haven status was not stolen or coerced, it was granted without a timeline and without barrier. The global economic crisis was not our fault. It was born out of the greed and mega-capitalist ideal which has continually polluted our global structure. One cannot always shake hands and smile to survive. There are times when we have to ‘roll up our sleeves’ and do the heavy lifting on our own and for our own future. To use the same system and expect a different result is essentially the definition of insanity. We have heard the same speech for the last decade, yet Cayman and the plight of Caymanians have only gotten worse.

The government is appointed by the people and should listen to the people accordingly. We have to reshape our government and revamp our country. The people and their needs are continually left by the wayside and forgotten.

It has been suggested that our employment rates are approximately 900 individuals, yet in reality this figure could be much higher. If this is true, this would mean that our unemployment rate for Caymanians is between 10 percent and 20 percent; this combined with similar inflation rates spells out a continually weakening and unstable socio-economic structure.

There has to be complete continuity and adhesiveness throughout our system. For how long are the Caymanian people to do without proper and astute leadership?

There has to be a question as to what we deserve and need. The exploitation of our people, home and way of life is not what will save this country.

The continuity initiative is but one step towards a better country, of which we have many to make. We are small but strong; we need to stand up for ourselves. Respect is not given, it is earned.

Global eyes will abuse and look down upon us as long as we let them. Cayman is not a mere ‘card in a monopoly set’; we are a country with a history and existence and have the responsibility to act accordingly.

What we do today is not just for today, but it is our responsibility to ensure and enshrine the future. This is something that we cannot wait to do. We have to start now.

We have to take steps to guarantee that their walk is smoother and that they have the knowledge to care for our country better than we have thus far.