Premier rails against lack of praise
Premier Alden McLaughlin at the Chamber of Commerce Legislative Lunch
(CNS): Premier Alden McLaughlin told a room full of business delegates that things were going very well for Cayman but took aim at populist rhetoric, negative public comments and a critical local media for not shouting from the rooftops about Cayman’s success story. The leader of the current Unity government began his speech at the annual Chamber of Commerce Legislative Lunch Thursday by playing comments made by economist Maria Dukharan during a recent webcast saying Cayman was “the best run economy in the whole Caribbean”.
But he questioned why people from overseas were the ones talking up the country and its achievements when those here delivered a negative and critical message.
“Why do we not say these things loudly and proudly for ourselves? Why are we so consistently negative about our country? Why do so many in the media seem to delight in criticizing all things Caymanian?” the premier asked rhetorically as he started his speech. “I am not suggesting that Cayman is perfect and that there are not issues we need to address and things we need to fix. Nor am I underestimating the threats to our continued success. But I do believe Cayman is a hugely successful story that we should all celebrate and shout from the rooftops, ” he added.
He said Cayman’s economy was founded on the strong entrepreneurial spirit of Caymanians and a willingness to embrace the contributions of the expatriate community, but criticised those who “espouse anti-business sentiment or choose to talk down the contribution of non-Caymanians”. He took aim at those who “do not believe that Caymanians must be given opportunities to participate in the economic success”, claiming that they all fail to understand the lessons of history and risk undermining future prosperity.
“You will not hear those things from me or members of my government,” he told the business audience. “Others may play for what they believe to be short-term populist appeal but the real task of political leaders is to take the right course of action for the long-term prosperity of our country and its people.”
He also raised the fear that the financial sector remains under real threat from “those who would like nothing better than to bring the Cayman Islands’ financial services industry down”. He justified increased spending on CIMA and the financial services ministry in the recent budget as a way of addressing the threat, which was “politically motivated”, and said government was doing all it could to address the challenge.
During an address in which he largely rehashed his Strategic Policy and Budget Statement and made no new announcements of note, the premier said Cayman’s success had not happened by chance but because of “strong leadership, fiscal responsibility and private sector led growth”.
He added that “things are going very well, but the reality is that there is a lot more to do” as the country still faced challenges. He drew what he said was the distinction between “the direction my government is taking and the views of those who, through rhetoric, would undermine the business community and the contribution that expatriates, working alongside Caymanians, make both to our economy and our society”.
However, while he said that he fundamentally disagreed with their conclusions, there was is a “kernel of truth at the heart of the arguments of some naysayers and prophets of doom”.
The premier told the audience that the success story was built upon the implicit understanding that Caymanians must have an opportunity to participate in and benefit from economic growth and described an “economic contract” that included opportunities and the obligations between wealth creators and the people.
“There are those, even among elected legislators, who, it appears, would rather be king of nothing than prince of something. To all in this room, I say that as political and business leaders, it falls to us to ensure that no one feels left behind, serving as prey to those who want to stir them up to become part of a ‘tearing down’ of all we have built. We cannot allow that to happen,” he stated.
McLaughlin claimed that his government and business leaders were “not building an economy to only benefit business or an elite few. But we are building opportunities for all Caymanians who too must be beneficiaries of a buoyant Cayman economy.”
That, he said, meant people had to have the opportunity to work, and although local unemployment had fallen from the 2011 peak of 10%, it was still too high, with 6.2% of local workers without a job, in “an economy as successful as ours”, as he repeated his hopes for full Caymanian employment.
“In the short-term, this means ensuring fair access for Caymanians in the labour market and creating chances for those who would otherwise find it difficult to take advantage of the available opportunities for employment,” he said. He said that in the longer term, the education system had to provide young people with the skills they needed, which were both down to government.
“However, it is the private sector that will create the jobs that are needed and it is you in this room who can give Caymanians the opportunities I believe they deserve,” the premier said, pointing to comments made earlier by President Kyle Broadhurst that the Chamber plans to help strengthen education, employment opportunities and workforce development for Caymanians.
“I do not believe that I have heard this commitment stated so clearly by the Chamber before and so I respond in kind by committing my government to work closely in partnership with you and your members to realise this jointly held ambition,” he told the audience of largely Chamber members.
McLaughlin said his government was showing the political leadership that Dukharan described as part of Cayman’s economic success, as he urged the business community to support the administration and asked them to invest in the jobs that Caymanians need.
“I believe that if the political and business leaders of our country work together there is little that we cannot achieve,” he said. Closing off his address, he claimed that he was working very well with his coalition colleagues in the Unity government and thanked them for their “workmanlike approach”.
Category: Jobs, Local News, Politics
Unlike our revisionist kleptocrats that suffer from chronic amnesia on events older than 4 months, the voters last May actually voted in a diverse salad of “Independents” under OMOV. Alden and McKeeva were just the “also-rans” that jockeyed, back-stabbed, and slithered together to form a functional government. It was clear at the polls that neither PPM nor CDP/UDP achieved a decisive mandate. We therefore didn’t necessarily vote for the dock, or the suspension of PR, the continued alienation of gay Caymanians, the continued opacity on financial matters and process, or any of the other bad ideas he now wants applause for. Alden and determined PPMers and dinosaur career bureaucrats would do better to remember that. The electorate voted for change, and instead, received more of the same.
They will never acknowledge they do not have the mandate of the people
That would be the end of their careers and their shaky “grasp” on power
Sadly the parties will use the 2017 election to lambaste independents and those who vote for them, and I doubt that the independent wave we had will occur again for many years
I hope people aren’t fooled into voting with the parties simply for the sake of forming a government
Parties as we know them here aren’t even 20 years old yet they have convinced the islands that without them the islands would fall into the ocean
and for once I am justified in saying that choice is an illusion, the PPM and CDP are two sides of the same coin their lust for power is the only reason they can’t stand each other and we saw as soon as their power was at stake they sold their souls for another 4 year ride
We need to break up this duopoly, either by voting them out or by adding more choice for voters and not the same old-same old
Diogenes
Hence why OMOV was implemented.
What the people should have done, was stayed home.
When no-one shows up at the polls, you have nothing to report on and no votes to count. The people let fear dictate their actions.
The people do not know their own power; they are oppressed.
But, as we see the younger generations coming up, things will change….the world is changing. Are you ready?
In case you didn’t realize it, Elections happened 8 month ago, so that puts your own memory or math in question.
Listen, as for Independents, most of you all were already aligned with a Party, be it PPM or UDP/CDP. Second, while I like most of the policies you’re singing now (“We therefore didn’t necessarily vote for the dock, or the suspension of PR, the continued alienation of gay Caymanians, the continued opacity on financial matters and process …”), those are not the same policies Independents were preaching during election campaign time. In fact, many of these were just the opposite, which again made you no different than the parties. Third, the reason I prefer the party system is because when elections comes around and the majority of incumbents for one party is voted in, constituents are already assured through that party’s manifesto – which was initially informed by the wishes of (most) constituents to begin with – which goals that party will be working towards for the remainder of the four years. This is unlike the mish-mash of goals that was produced by the new government at the Strategic Policy Statement and the Budget Statement in an attempt to satisfy the MLAs and hold the government together. What was produced in the LA by the Unity Government this year is the opposite of the pure purpose of any democratic government – which is to set out an agenda which aims to work towards the initial set of goals put forth to a party by the majority of constituents/voters prior to the election. Fourth, the party system already leaves room for “moderate” and “extreme” politicians in a party, e.g., moderate PPM or extreme PPM, or “left-leaning” and “right leaning” UDP (yes, that’s borrowed from the States, but no need to reinvent the wheel). Therefore, ideally, there should never be a need for all the extras or Independents – who for all the good that they have to contribute, still had to follow a more experienced and knowledgeable party leader.
Fifth, I can see where you Independents are going – straight to Independence. While the majority of Islanders including many Caymanians love Obama, including myself, the truth is Cayman does not have the size or self-sufficiency to function like a country as geographically big as America. If we go Independent, we will in less than ten years be facing the very same conditions Jamaica is facing right now, but worse. On the other hand, yes, the truth is there is still a lot of British discrimination against Caymanians, and British and Caribbean cultures are constantly clashing. But if we are honest, many Caymanians will also say these issues have gotten increasingly better, particularly over the last 40 years. What we are faced with today is Trump and all the racism he and most hardcore Republicans bring! Not to mention, Brexit – all of which is a step backwards to the 50’s and beyond.
In response to your post, I could go on and on about the benefits of the party system and the issues connected with Independents and Independence, but what I think this article boils down to for me is this: Our Premier needs to stop viewing Expats and Foreigners as the end all and save all, and Caymanians as being in constant need of them and being a step below. As stated in the article:
“However, it is the private sector that will create the jobs that are needed and it is you in this room who can give Caymanians the opportunities I believe they deserve,” the premier said, pointing to comments made earlier by President Kyle Broadhurst that the Chamber plans to help strengthen education, employment opportunities and workforce development for Caymanians.”
When it comes to education and employment, the Expat/Caymanian relationship has to be seen as a mutually beneficial one. Both groups can learn from one another. Caymanians can learn skills, and Expats can learn multiculturalism and self-awareness in dealing with others. On the other hand, to be fair, while Caymanians have every right to be emotionally-shielded, we also could benefit from being a bit more open-minded and ready to broaden our social skills.
Like a small child who seeks constant reassurance and validation from its parents
Is OK Mr Aldin. Cayman need to open up is mind. Is many people here now who congradulate your support for us all.
And the Oscar for best performance of bad English goes to:
Anonymous 1:12
Please return to Primary school to collect your award
You must be a wonderful shaming parent.
Congratulations Mr. Premier. How does it feel to be a part of the new UDP-led government?
It must be quite something to work under that government credit-card gambling, Cayman sell-out, word-bumbling fool as your Speaker.
Never thought I would see the day, and here we are.
Ladies and Gents, as of this article Mr. McLaughlin can in no way call himself a Progressive, especially now that he has become a part of the very Old Boys’ Club which he fought so hard against in his youth – But certainly not now that he’s sporting the Rogaine.
Yes Sir, this is your last go round as a Progressive. Best you give it up and become an Independent.
Better yet, become a conservative.
We pretending all the MLAs aren’t conservatives?
Premier: “My Unity Government has done nothing for the people of Cayman since being elected almost 8 months ago, the LA has barely been in session and I pretend crime is nonexistent”
“WHY ARE THE PEOPLE NOT SINGING MY PRAISES!?!”
Average Caymanian: ‘Probably because you head is where it was for the last four years of your PPM “government” squarely and firmly up your own ass”
500 plus new residents and Mr premier you wondering why Caymanians are unhappy!!!!!! Really now!!!!!!!!
You mean the 500 people who have been here for the better part of 10 years
Not all 500 are deserving. It is too easy to get PR in this country.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence
unless you are also claiming to have insider knowledge and documented proof as to the status of these private applications
Please do tell
You seem to know that these persons who now have PR are being admitted without meeting the qualifications yet instead of reporting it to relevant authorities you are commenting on CNS
Smells like a load of bullshit to me
Oh my my… because we are still better off than the some of the ‘overseas countries’ !!!! Some of which are ‘S.H’s. Caymanians can clearly see where we are headed.. when she see caymanians being put first in their country …. then you will get PRAISED. We waiting.
The fact that this statement was made in front of business persons instead of the general public should show you
1) who he is working for
2) he doesn’t have the balls (or testicular fortitude as my BTW rep would say) to say this in front of the people of the Cayman Islands
Alden is a very Sick Man suffering from Narcissitisis can some please please recommend a good specialist ???
Praises to you honorable premier!
It would be nice to see metrics reported by the press regarding conditions in Cayman for Caymanians.
Those metrics should include 5 year history for:
Household income
Rate of inflation
Home prices
Adult income per person
Unemployment rate
Buying power per dollar
It’s no use saying things are better or worse without anything to base it on.
Perhaps look at the numbers yourself:
https://www.eso.ky/#3
I did. Maybe I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but many of those reports are difficult to follow or not current. Link doesn’t work by the way.
The ESO (Economics and Statistics Office) is the only source of data that comes to mind
as to understanding the reports ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ can’t really help with that
Taking a page out of Cadet Butthurt Bonespur’s book.
How Narcissistic can one be???? Praise for what Crime and gunshots ringing out or the importation of ramble from overseas, traffic jams and theft and drug dealing rampant poor you Alden PPM has fail us but others are doing quite well and living large. Some have pointed out this Migrant Police force situation which should concern us all.
“(CNS): Premier Alden McLaughlin told a room full of business delegates that things were going very well for Cayman but took aim at populist rhetoric, negative public comments and a critical local media for not shouting from the rooftops about Cayman’s success story. ”
What is painfully obvious from the Premier is that he is not listening to the people of the Cayman Islands. Alden is living in his own little bubble.
Well, at least he doesn’t sound as infantile at Trumpy when he whines for attention. We got that going for us.
How infantile will be exceptable for you? Not to use your escape goat as a barometer. President Trump has only a positive effect on your produce nothing economy.
Exceptable escape goat? Can you please use that in a sentence.
Praise for what ?
Cuc disconnected my power since yesterday, as a result of THEIR administrative error.
Now they can only connect me back on Tuesday.
Who needs to be praised here ?
Yes, more money is flowing through the economy, but it goes to the wrong people.
The attitude of businesses towards their customers is wrong. A typical caymanians “I don’t care”.
The same thing happened to me….
Wrong people? You mean those that work hard and earn it?
Mr Premier , if when you do a bad job expect criticism because some people are going to see the fault . Remember that they won’t give the credit and praise when you do a good job like you always give yourself.
We are been basically extorted on a daily basis Mr premier. All the basic nessesities are controlled l be a select few. Folks with your salary would not feel the effect but remember your salary is not the average Caymanian.
1.Cuc is driven by profit for the shareholders who happen to be the same select few elitist.
2. The gas stations basically operate as a kartel.
3.I cannot even find words to explain what the supermarkets are doing us. The average home of 4 can easily be looking at 800Ci monthly for food maybe even more. Have your ever not just gone to the supermarket to get couple items and realize it’s nearly 100CI?
That Mr Premier is the true reality of the average Caymanian.
The Progressives deserve as much credit for managing our economy as they do for avoiding thousands of deaths in last week’s tsunami.
Name one policy of the Progressives that has either increased GDP or the surplus.
Very true, they have the economy in “cruise control” and they are just along for the ride
What a poor attempt to save face. Good try Alden, but people see through your governments bs.
Hey 4:30
Come again?
$501 CI and you only get $400 per year? So are you getting only $30 something a month? Do you not mean $400 per month. You are paying $501 for insurance coverage? That is really not a bad price considering how much it would cost the Insurance Company for surgery and a hospital stay if you needed to be there.
Your small stipend from Cinico is not meant to totally support you. They cannot afford that. You need to have a come to Jesus talk with your family and yourself about your budget.
You need to get a plan and not expect Cinico nor the Government to support you. Good luck Bo Bo.
Mr. Premier you toot your horn but you are so far from the truth. Please accept the fact that in your speech you ask the private sector to give Caymanians opportunities several times, but the immigration law is designed to cater to the those that can afford PR. I ask you compare the current point system PR, any average accountant or lawyer can obtain PR as they have the financial wealth to do so. Compare that to the average domestic helper or Gardner that raise our children and cut our yards, are denied on the mere fact they don’t have the financial means, that is fact! And if the private sector does not abide by the laws, who police them? Absolutely no one! The cost of living is so high, that you are forcing the average tourist to invest in other jusrisdictions and bypass the Cayman Islands all together. I would much prefer to have 1000 average tourist than 1 millionaire to visits us as the facts are, is the average tourist shop and buy locally at all stores verses the millionaire who stays at the ritz or the Kimpton with their all inclusive amenities. When last you see a millionaire at a jerk stand or at Mango Tree? Crime has taken Cayman to its knees, yet you state you will cut gun crimes by 60% but people are being shot in their cars, mugged in parking lots and on our beaches, their cars stolen and their homes broken into. Traffic is worst than before in the Eastern district which is impacting family life and businesses. 2 years now they have been building a 2 lane highway and traffic is worst. You wouldn’t know anything about that because you continue to live in your ivory tower forgetting the hard working Caymanians who thrive everyday to make Cayman and their lives a better place to work and live in.
Really look at your self in the mirror and ask yourself, are we better today compared to say 10 years ago? It is disheartening to learn that you and your government believe there are opportunities for young Caymanians and the future is bright. Unfortunately, the reality is that we are struggling with the failing education system, failing health care, failing infrastructure, failing culture and most of all, failing opportunities for Caymanians!
Keep catering to the rich and soon you will see that even the rich will have to pack up one day and leave these shores due to the lack of opportunities for Caymanians because the only way for the struggling Caymanian to survive will be to steal to make ends meet and when this happens, dog eat our supper!
CNS continue with your independant reporting and let the “world” know the truth of how Caymanians are being shafted by their own elected government.
This was the best year for Tourism. You do not understand business.
@Think Outside The Box
It’s only the DoT figures that say it was the best year for tourism. The hotel occupancy rates coupled with the heavy discounting of room rates for most of the year don’t support their conclusions.
Do you understand extreme weather and what happened in the rest of the Caribbean to bring guests to this island?
Bring back Rollover. Jobs for the young and less people on the island which is the root of the problems.
Oh my lord, where to begin?
As the Chamber President pointed out we have 20,000 more jobs than people and that’s assuming 100% of people in the workforce are actually willing and able to work.
If we got rid of 5,000 expats our economy would be in free-fall and prices would rise dramatically (companies would have 5,000 fewer customers and would have to put prices up to cover their fixed costs which by definition won’t have changed).
The government would also have lost around $20 million in work permit revenue.
How does this help Caymanians?
http://www.growthmatters.ky
We still have rollover. They just changed it from 7 to 9 years.
Ie. Instant Status grants for All!
Message to the Premier: Seeking praise is like trying to avoid critisim. Long term both don’t work so please seek help for your praise addiction.
I can agree that the business lobby groups and their members should be singing his praises. However, it is time for Premier Alden McLaughlin to stop doing the bidding of the business lobby groups and to start working for and on behalf of the people that voted him into office.
Because it’s not tricking down…the rich are getting fewer and fatter….the middle class are getting larger and poorer…the rest are falling so far behind, it’s generational
The level of investment truly is astounding, and whether we’re all impressed with tunnels to nowhere or 10 storey empty towers….at least the investment is here and not elsewhere in the region
BUT – the rising crime, the chronic traffic issues and associated road rage, the basic cost of living, the lack of decent education, the cost of health, the eroding of traditions and culture….it’s fixable if we had leaders and a community as a whole that got invested in it….before it’s all gone and all we have are roundabouts and empty towers
What rising crime? Do you know something?
I started reading these earlier posts, and it is all total negativity as usual. Whatever the topic is on CNS, the posts are invariably negative, and descend all too often into personal abuse of whoever. I think Alden needs to realise that IT IS THE CULTURE OF CAYMAN to simply “throw stones” at anyone saying anything positive on any topic whatsoever. Whenever people post nonsense without factual knowledge, and you attempt to correct the mis-information, you are met with a deluge of negativity and abuse in return, as I am certain that this post will certainly be. Take a good look at yourselves posters and consider that negativity achieves nought, ZERO!
Yep be a sycophant because I’m sure Alden is going to feel the need to address these issues if we all smile and pretend they don’t exist and if we praise his great leadership
That makes so much sense right?
Yes it does achieve something, gets you all riled up…
All I can say Alden is self praise is no praise! Stop patting yourself on the back, things in Cayman are not “that” good. Crime has soared, education is lacking, traffic is at its all time worse, prices are rising…….what is so good about what you have been doing?
Does this remind anyone else of Alden And Mac?
Below are the most common traits found in people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder
An insatiable appetite for the attention of others
Extreme feelings of jealousy
An expectation of special treatment
Exaggerating achievements, talents, and importance
Extreme sensitivity and a tendency to be easily hurt and to feel rejected with little provocation
Difficulty maintaining healthful relationships
Fantasizing about their own intelligence, success, power, and appearance
An ability to take advantage of others to achieve a goal, without regret or conscience
A lack empathy, or ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and a tendency to disregard others’ feelings
A belief that only certain people can understand their uniqueness
A tendency to consider themselves as skilled in romance
Responding to criticism with anger, humiliation, and shame
Seeking out praise and positive reinforcement from others
An expectation that others will agree with them and go along with what they want
Whatever they crave or yearn for must be “the best”
Others may see narcissists’ goals as selfish ones. They may describe the person as self-obsessed, arrogant, tough-minded, and lacking emotion.
When did you get time to write a biography on Donald Trump?
Don’t be an ass, 3:21. The article isn’t about Trump!
Another person comes to mind- the great orange one up to the north !
4:13, you must be in bed with 3:21.
Jeez, what a myopic, jealous, ungrateful bunch of Alden Haters! Any unna read beyond the sensational headline to see what the man really spoke about? Know what? Unna try living in Jamaica or Honduras for a lil while, then unna might appreciate what we got ya!
Yeh because everything here is so great and wonderful for Caymanians. Under Aldens rule only the rich Caucasian foreigners are benefiting, us poor black folk cant get our kids properly educated in a functional school with decent facilities and forget about proper medical care or being able to afford groceries. STFU I will hate on Alden all I want until he resigns or wakes up.
Plenty of black rich folk here too.
Like Canover and Jeffie?
Sounds like your president Trump not Aldin
The only ones enjoying that prosperity of which you speak is living up West Bay Road Bobo. By the way, the negative backlash against the financial services is towards the money hungry bigots who run the law firms calling the shots. They do not like anything Caymanian, that is where the real problem is not the media.
“It’s the economy, stupid.” The costs of living and doing business are too high for locals to feel prosperous and they blame that on you because you could reduce both and you won’t.
Why don’t you share your ideas?
Alden refuses to consider any idea that is not his.
This is the Trump era
our leaders demand our respect, submission and now our praise
whether they deserve it or not
they don’t want advisers or policy changes
they want sycophants and worshipers
these 4 years of Trump can’t be over too quickly
Sounds opposite to Trump.
Hear what you want to hear,
Believe what you want to believe
Eventually one way or another he will not be president, and then we’ll see how favorable he is looked upon
He’s got nothing to do with Cayman and didn’t threaten us unlike Obama.
Please remind or inform these fools which party actually support these TAX FREE HAVENS . They actually believe they are a real economy . Gonna have to sell a hell of a lot of rum cake to keep up with what the banks and lawyers have done for this rock !
He is beginning to sound like cry baby Trump.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder look it up most of these so called leaders have a touch of it
Why you foolish people talking stupid things about Mr. Trump. Maybe because you are stupid. why don’t you try and fix the problems we have here, instead talking down another Country leader. Be a fool sometimes, but don’t make a career out of it.
touch a nerve there lol
Increase in crime, people being mugged on the street and shot at. Consistent increase in prices of items bought locally while many firms and corporations have not given a salary increase for years. I mean I am glad that a US tourist can now pre-clear Cayman immigration in Miami, but would rather have had that time, energy and funds be spent on something that makes a difference in the every day life of residents on the Island.
The tourists make all the difference in the world on this Island. They feed you and your Gov.
Actually no they feed the hotel owners who don’t even hire Caymanians or allow us on their properties unless we are attending some event that they are throwing for Alden, Mac and their minions. What a sell out government we have created, God Help Us
The money is always spent on someone else. I don’t know how expensive it would be to do the same from here for travelers going to. Miami. I went to Aruba about 15 years ago and they were clearing outgoing travelers to Miami there then. Don’t know if their GDP is higher than ours. considering the long walks to immigration in Miami it would have been nice if we had that luxury.
The root cause of this is youth not having a job, no salary increase from increased work permits. Gee I think rollover might fix all that.
If you have to ask why there is so much negativity, then perhaps you are unfit to lead
This man and his cohorts live in La La Land and have severe cases of Ostrich Syndrome. They might also have severe cases of amnesia as those making noise are the very ones who put them in when they were promised changes (to the majority that is; not their select buddies)………Its changed alright Alden, by getting worse. If he would grow a pair and bring our local Mafias back down to planet Earth with respect to the cost of living then people might actually have something good to say and feel like they are moving forward rather than figuring out how they are going to make it to the end of the month. Until then we will continue to bend over and take it I guess and pretend like everything is ok…..
Hey if you were getting paid like those bunch are you would not give a hoot either. More power to them as they got it while the rest – well look at it. At least Red Bay gets first dibs on pot hole repairs!
Hope you like my new moniker Alden,
Let’s just say you inspire me
Alden, you will always have criticism. Just keep doing what is best for the island and let everything else fall into place.
Is that you Alden? If not I think you have misspelled “start” as “keep”
It’s probably one of his many yes men or Big Mac or a Kirkbot
You so arrogant you cannot understand why so many local people do not support you while you are destroying their future? Balance, you speak of balance? Bullshit! Your actions are totally inconsistent with your words.
That describes Alden and his political career better than anything else I’ve seen written.
Oh so we’re adopting Trump’s egotistical need for praise now? Let their works speak for themselves! Soon we’ll be attacking the “fake news” media, will we Alden? Sorry I forgot, you already did that!!
Alden’s ego has landed. Praise him or be charged with treason!!!
He’s not like Trump! If he was he would bring back rollover!
When in other countries, I do nothing but promote Cayman and its financial services sector, and tourism to anyone who will listen, because the message is generally good. Behind our own doors we need to be critical of ourselves and answer questions. Many questions remain unanswered, hidden behind an opaque cloud of secrecy when we they should be in the public domain. Even more would be behind that smoke screen if it was not for the free press, such as CNS. All leaders in recent years have been guilty, like Trump, of craving praise whilst failing to see that the very things they hide from view are what causes suspicion and distrust. Open up, all of you, get rid of corruption (and that is only too obviously going on) and your praises will be sung here too.
He’s not related to Trump by any chance…….
Perhaps living in Cayman and seeing the rise in violent crime and road rage and the lack of governmental problem solving like the dump (handed over to Dart) or the cruise dock (government has no final cost price for that project) does this instill confidence in this government?
Maybe if you have a place at the trough.
Now the danger of Trump and his rhetoric emerges, world leaders now demand positive coverage and discount negative coverage as fake news or hysteria. Mr Premier, have you ever thought that maybe the news here tends to take a negative slant to you and your government because most of your policies are focused on improving the interactions of tourists and outsiders while your people pick up the scraps and continue living the way we have for years, the cost of living is high, education standards are low, the government doesn’t even seem to be able to get trash collection together. MLAs are more concerned about praying and what persons are wearing in schools than actually getting any work done.
The systems in place in Cayman are failing and the islands are not diversifying our resources and incomes, crime is not being addressed the way it should (in fact your government refuses to even acknowledge crime exists for the most part)
The LA is barely in session, explain to me what has been done in the house since you were elected, nearly 8 months ago, what has been changed to have a positive effect on the Caymanian people?
Remind me how many sessions has the LA had since May and then tell me if your pay corresponds with those numbers you are paid whether you sit on your “shy” ass or not
and for you Right wing, conservative anti-intellectual apologists
You Trumptards keep enabling this type of behavior where the media is attacked for reporting the truth, and soon Mac, Alden and everyone else on the island will be calling everything fake news too.
This portion of the comment is addressed at CNS
Y’all need to cut the shit and hold this man’s feet to the flames, I want reports on everything that is being done in the LA, and in government, I want him to feel the political pressure to get things done, for too long governments in Cayman have been allowed to skate by for 3 years and then spend the last 6 months before the election actually being around and doing things.
You have a responsibility to report the truth and so far I have little complaints, but I feel like you could be doing a lot more and reporting more invasive and relevant stories.
Black unemployment in the US right now is the lowest it’s ever been in history. Reducing illegal immigration raises wages and jobs for black people.
Wages have been stagnant for the past thirty years, reducing illegal immigrants who are picking avocados is not going to improve your economy
Also since 2011 more illegal immigrants have left the US than came in, there has been a net loss
Take a look of all the businesses that have laid people off even after the tax cuts, and businesses that even after making deals with the US have decided to hand out pink slips and head on down to mexico
It’s almost like people forgot what state the US was in at the end Of GWB, Trump is on the same path to leading the US down an economic shithole slashing regulations and cutting taxes
Good luck to you all,
Good leaders don’t toot their own horns because they don’t have to.
The jobs are there but Alden the Destroyer’s policies (created with the prior help of side-kick Micro) of work permits for everyone that can pay and PR for whoever files have ensured they will never be available to Caymanians. I truly feel for the young Caymanians trying to find positions or advance in the current environment created by him where the expatriates are the entitled. Three more years of his rhetoric and there will definitely be nothing left for Caymanians.
You are the kind of people he was talking about.
Alden McLaughlin is just like McKeeva Bush they have sold out the country and Caymanians. Look at his actions and policies that benefit everyone except Caymanians. All for themselves do not be fooled.
Qualifying for PR is hard. It’s a legal process designed by Caymanians with many hurdles, not least of which, requalifying for an advertised job for 8 consecutive years. You, and others, really need to check yourselves before insulting people that have lived side-by-side among you for 8 years, have proven their worth, and are here to stay.
Qualifying for PR should be hard but it wasn’t this time…
1) one judge makes some very naïve comments regarding point system,
2)government freezes,
3) people threaten to sue,
4) government issues most PR’s.
Maybe you’re one of the ones that should have gotten it but there are a lot that got it merely because of our weak Premier.
You missed the step where CIG took independent legal advice on the judges “naïve” comments, and was so frightened by the answer that they refused to show it to the tax payers who paid for it
We don’t know what was in the report or if it caused the Premier to give away the country. Could be it was equally naive and perhaps the government realized they should have given more thought then usual with awarding this lucrative contract and they probably should have went offshore for a truly independent and knowledgeable opinion.
The country was given away before the report was even requested. Permanent residence is easy for anyone that wants it. Alden has screwed us all.
YUK!
It not hard enough. Alot of people have been fooled. Cayman does not have size to accept everyone. We appreciate your controbution but that does not entitled you to my birth right no offence just brutal truth.
These people aren’t 500 new persons they have already been here for 8+ years,
So thats why there is so much traffic.
Entitled to your birthright? What’s that then? Jeez last week we were driftwood, now it seems we’re here to stay. Make your mind up.
Those advertisements are baloney. They already have the people they want. Secondly I have seen so many come here with no clue about funds financial markets etc and they get trained. The accounting firms have a lot to answer for.
Well duh…outsiders are praising our success as you and them seem to be the only ones benefiting.
My dear Mr. Premier, today I only have one favour to ask if you, please do something about Cinico, I am paying five hundred and one Cayman dollars per month and my benefit is only four hundred per year unless if I am hospitalized or have to be flown out on ambulance , which so far, thankfully has not happened. When you fix that for us I will sing a song for you, heck I will even write you one.
You’re in the comment section of a private news organization begging your representatives to do something to help you
are they not supposed to be representing us?
You see what is wrong in this picture?