Dr Davies' monumental achievement

[Assasin]

Dr Davies' monumental achievement
Rev Raulston Nembhard Contributor stead6655@aol.com
Saturday, April 28, 2007


Dr Omar Davies exuded a great deal of confidence as he opened the budget debate for the 2007-2008 financial year.
The defining feature of the presentation resided more in what was not said than what was said. In light of the economic problems that face Jamaica, the presentation indulged in generalisations without specific reference to a number of key economic indicators that are of concern to the Jamaican people.
For example, take the matter of debt strategy. It does not seem that the government fully appreciates the implications of the debt crisis that faces the country. The fact that they do not see the problem as a crisis spells volumes in this regard.
We are fast approaching the $1-trillion mark. Some would argue that we have exceeded this mark if you take into account deferred financing and other high ticket items such as Air Jamaica. It is obvious that the nation is not being told the truth about the level of indebtedness that we face.Take the matter of the NIR, for example. We are not told that the big build-up about which the government boasts is the consequence of loan receipts and not income earned from the productive capacity of the Jamaican people. There is nothing much to gloat about except that this money is available to deal with a number of months of imports but the debt that caused it has to be repaid. And contrary to what the minister would have us believe, that debt is growing exponentially.
The greatest failure of Mr Davies' presentation was the absence of any real strategy to deal with the debt. It does not take a PhD in economics to know that you cannot borrow your way into prosperity. No country can become prosperous by forever borrowing money to deal with recurrent expenditure such as paying government salaries.
It is clear that such expenditures should be met from revenue collection or even taxation as a last resort. But the minister has found it easier to borrow without recognising the real implications of this for the long-term health of the country.
The answer to the debt crisis is to make the economy grow. But the economy has not grown significantly over the past 18 years. We have registered net negative growth over the years. The minister's own growth targets have been missed repeatedly, even when other economies in the Caribbean have registered impressive growth rates. We have to earn our way out of our difficulties, not borrow our way out. The high debt is an index of the failure of the government over its long haul in power to improve the economy effectively.
There are many factors that go into improving an economy and not least among these is the psychology of trust and confidence which are not in ample supply in the productive sector. The government talks about the recovery of confidence while important operatives in the productive sector such as Mr Gordon "Butch" Stewart lament the lack of collaboration between the private and public sectors and the general malaise in the economy. It is this kind of collaboration or dialogue as Mr Stewart calls it that will lead to the generation of jobs.
The truth is that the economy is not as healthy as the minister would have us believe. Macroeconomic indicators such as the declining interest rates may be moving in the right direction - for now. We will soon see how this will impact on the exchange rate. It is true that hotels are being built and there is increased activity in the bauxite and agricultural sectors, but the value-added effects of these activities, especially in the hotel sector, will not be felt for some time.
They will certainly have no meaningful effect on a debt-reduction strategy over the short term. At some point, the debt has to be capped at a percentage of GDP. This is not something that the government finds palatable, for to do so is to restrict its appetite to borrow. The minister does not relish this kind of constraint on an activity to which he seems to have become addicted.
Meanwhile, the economy will continue to lurch from one crisis to the next. Apart from Air Jamaica whose debt is chronic, there are other high-profile projects or companies that are ailing. There is NROCC, that great locomotive of the highway projects; there are rumblings in the NHDC and the Operation PRIDE projects that indicate that things are not well. Not to mention the ongoing financial problems in the sugar industry.
One did not expect the minister in an election year to present a budget that would tell the real truth about the economy. The real truth resides in the pockets and suffering of the Jamaican people; in the lack of employment to university graduates who are highly qualified but to whom jobs are non-existent; in the embarrassment that the housewife suffers each time she goes to the supermarket and has to make sure that her addition is correct before she goes to the check-out counter. Dr Davies, macroeconomic indicators are one thing, but how long must the people of Jamaica wait before they can see a meaningful change for good in their economic prospects? Another 18 years? Are you proud that your monumental achievement in office is to leave a legacy of $1-trillion in debt to the people of Jamaica?

[Karl]

Re: Dr Davies' monumental achievement

As I said, this self proclaimed 'take no sides' pastor is a liar!

CORRUPT!

...did I hear him say, increase taxes and or revenue collection?

...and, what is increased revenue collection if not increased paying of taxes?

Did I also hear him say that it is an embarassment for the housewife to ensure she has the funds to pay for the goods she has put in her 'check-out' cart? Suggesting that spending without any regard for amount spent is the way to go? ...or, was he saying that it was not prudent to live within one's means...but an embarassment to live within that which can be afforded? LAIR! CORRUPT!

[Assasin]

Re: Dr Davies' monumental achievement

Karl what is your point? Where is he lying?

How much money we owe? the debt and interest rate keep on rising and Davis will leave a huge debt behind, true or false?

What is our GDP growth over the last 10 years?

The man wrote a good article and made his point clear whatever you think of him.

[Karl]

Re: Dr Davies' monumental achievement

Karl what is your point? Where is he lying?

How much money we owe? the debt and interest rate keep on rising and Davis will leave a huge debt behind, true or false?

What is our GDP growth over the last 10 years?

The man wrote a good article and made his point clear whatever you think of him.

I know you have not forgotten this. ...and, you know the man is a Minister of Religion. ...and, if you look at his previous article you would have seen he was asking that we compare his 'way' as opposed to Phinn's unseemly way. He asked us to believe this -

Karl vbmenu_register("postmenu_25349", true);
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Political objectivity
Political objectivity
Rev Raulston Nembhard
Saturday, April 14, 2007


In the context of the tribalised political context that we have in Jamaica, the difficulty that faces a pastor is how to maintain political objectivity while being true to his or her divine calling. If you want to remain true to your calling, it is difficult to juggle the severe responsibilities of a pastor while being fully involved in partisan political activism. Those who do so have discovered that far from being the ambassadors of reconciliation that their vocation requires, they have become agents of division and high sources of embarrassment to their flock. It is for this reason that this writer, as a priest, has refused to be a card-carrying member of any political party despite encouragements to do so.

A congregation inevitably is made up of people of all political stripes. Partisan loyalties strain the bonds of affection that should unite them. Fairness and objectivity are often the first casualties of partisan politics. Pastors who are prepared to mortgage or outsource their integrity and intelligence to a political party must answer for themselves as to where their true loyalties lie.

This is not to say that a pastor should not be concerned with political matters. Indeed, if he knows anything about the prophetic tradition in the Old Testament, he will understand that he shares in a great heritage of defiance against all principalities and powers that would visit injustice upon God's people. He has no choice but to realise that God takes an option for the poor, marginalised, powerless and voiceless in society. These are largely political matters about which he should be concerned. A great deal can be achieved by civil protest to achieve the objectives that God would require, but jumping on political bandwagons as prophets and seers or as political activists does not seem to me to be what the Lord requires.

It is a travesty to pin God to a political process whenever it becomes expedient to do so. It is okay for any religious leader to have religious faith. Values that are shaped by faith can be of immense help in the execution of one's professional office. This is true of politics as it is of any other profession. But it is disingenuous to use the name of God to secure political advantage. Those who would want to perpetuate this travesty must be warned that God may not be too patient with those who would want to besmirch His name in this way.

There are two other concerns that merit commentary at this time. The first is the prime minister's achievements in the first year. I believe that it is a bit disingenuous for the prime minister to have claimed the spectacular success that she has after having been in office for one year, when it seems quite obvious that she merely rode on the back of her predecessor. Furthermore, the country has not seen any attempt to correct the excesses of government that are of great concern to the people. This is especially so in the area of corruption and overruns and especially in the credibility gap created by the Trafigura issue. Instead, and at her own admission, she has elected to continue the work of Mr Patterson, even against rational empirical evidence that she ought to move in decisively new directions. Hopefully, with divine guidance and prophetic sustenance from her soothsayers she may yet see the light.

The second matter regards Mr Mike Henry's call for increased salary for parliamentarians.To begin with, it is injudicious to be making such a call at this time. The people certainly are in no mood to grant parliamentarians an increase when it is obvious that many of them are not doing the work they have been elected to do. Too many of our parliamentarians do not know where the interests of their political parties end and where those of the people of Jamaica begin when they are placed in that august body.
They seem not to realise that as legislators they are sworn to protect and defend the people and constitution of Jamaica.

This means, among other things, ensuring that Parliament functions in a way that serves the best interest of all the people of Jamaica. All 60 representatives in that noble house (a nobility that has been degraded over the years by the childish petulance of some) must go into deep soul-searching about how much they have lived up to their oath to protect and defend the people of Jamaica. The rampant criminality that is destroying so much of our national life is a clear indication that those whom we elect to protect us have failed miserably to do so. Mr Henry and those who think like him must be told in no uncertain terms that being a parliamentarian is not essentially about whom you bury, how many funerals you attend or even which road gets fixed.
There is a higher standard to which you are all called. Too many of you have forgotten what this standard is. And you dare to ask for a salary increase.Fahget it!

- stead6655@aol.com

[Assasin]

Re: Dr Davies' monumental achievement

You couldn't answer one of the questions I asked. You are just upset, as you think the man is a labourite.

Phinn is telling people he is a prophet but the man is just writing his opinion and not telling us that god tell him to do it. The man points are solid as the figures are there to show it, and there is no two way about it.

I will ask again

Karl what is your point? Where is he lying?

How much money we owe? the debt and interest rate keep on rising and Davis will leave a huge debt behind, true or false?

What is our GDP growth over the last 10 years?

The man wrote a good article and made his point clear whatever you think of him.

You can go in a little detail on each.

[Karl]

Re: Dr Davies' monumental achievement

Karl what is your point? Where is he lying?

How much money we owe? the debt and interest rate keep on rising and Davis will leave a huge debt behind, true or false?

What is our GDP growth over the last 10 years?

The man wrote a good article and made his point clear whatever you think of him.

This guy would have us listen to him say...and, to believe him, no doubt as a man of the cloth, that his sayings are non-partisan. He goes further and states that his congregation...his flock has members of both parties and therefore his saying must never give the appearance of being for one side or the other...giving succor to one side or the other.

In the context of the tribalised political context that we have in Jamaica, the difficulty that faces a pastor is how to maintain political objectivity while being true to his or her divine calling. If you want to remain true to your calling, it is difficult to juggle the severe responsibilities of a pastor while being fully involved in partisan political activism. Those who do so have discovered that far from being the ambassadors of reconciliation that their vocation requires, they have become agents of division and high sources of embarrassment to their flock. It is for this reason that this writer, as a priest, has refused to be a card-carrying member of any political party despite encouragements to do so.

Out of his own mouth the man is liar! Maintaining 'political objectivity', if I am to believe his earlier words it means if he must make statements on the faults of Dr. Davis, if there is even one good thing Davis has done he must also mention it.

In the worse of us, there is good. Even the murderer has some residual good traits learned at his mother's or father's feet. The article the 'goodly pastor'...the pastor who would have us believe that he is honest and just... Who would have us believe he is a Christian...and he finds only fault in his fellow human? Something is wrong there!

He may be right about the NIR being unimportant...merely borrowed money, and as he implies any fool/incompetent can borrow to bolster the NIR...

...but, as he further implies (lies!) he can only find...this man of the cloth who exhorts us to have faith in his utterances...this pastor who calls out his 'back-slider/straying' fellow pastor...lies through his teeth by presenting an article which suggests/tells/proclaims the Minister of Finance has only failures. He would want us to believe in the lie that there is no good in even the worst of us!

LAIR!

His homework must be to find the good Davis has done, divide the pages of his writings and put the good on one side and the bad on the other...and, leave the people to decide which side should hold sway in their thoughts as they made judgement on Davis. That is balance! That is how a true man of the cloth, I think, would present the facts to his flock...especially after a sermon...the sermon, I quoted from above... such as he preached earlier.

Until he evens the scales with the whole truth ...and repents - LIAR! CORRUPT LIAR!

[Assasin]

Re: Dr Davies' monumental achievement

again Karl you have nothing to prove the man is a liar and the man facts are right on so who care if he is partisan or not? You decide that but you are calling the man a liar without anything to prove the man lie.

[Karl]

Re: Dr Davies' monumental achievement

again Karl you have nothing to prove the man is a liar and the man facts are right on so who care if he is partisan or not? You decide that but you are calling the man a liar without anything to prove the man lie.

You are a strange man Assasin.
I am not saying the facts he presented regarding Davis are lies. I am saying he lied when he wrote his first article.

He called out Phinn as doing wrong as a pastor and implied he was not of that cloth. He then lives the lie of his words in this his latest article.

Aside: The big question is if he lies on his Phinn issue are there misrepresentations...additional misrepresentations in his current article?

[Assasin]

Re: Dr Davies' monumental achievement

Did he say god tell him this? This is his opinion. Phinn said he god told him that Portia a go win and will make Jamaica better. That is so different Karl.

[Karl]

Re: Dr Davies' monumental achievement

Did he say god tell him this? This is his opinion. Phinn said he god told him that Portia a go win and will make Jamaica better. That is so different Karl.

Assasin: A priest or pastor, as Rev. Nembhard alluded to, is held to a higher standard. A priest is entrusted with leading the people to among other things be fair and Christian in how we all should deal with out fellow-man. The priest tells us...shows us, as Nembhard, himself shows in his earlier article, that information given must be 'honest information'...truthfully delivered...so as not to mislead.

Following on - The giving of information if all facts are not presented is a LIE! That half-truth encourages conclusions based on the half-truth. You have always suggested that you arrive at conclusions based on facts...all the facts. ...or, at the very least, you...we...all of us...strive to have all the facts before we arrive at conclusions.

Politicians, we know, tend to present facts that support their efforts at having the people on their side. We have come to expect the politicians, in the furtherance of such a cause, to do that. We, therefore, know that the possiblity of all the facts being presented to us by politicians is not something we can depend on. We tend to see pastors as far removed from acting in that 'politician-like manner'.

Let us be absolutely clear, half of the truth is a DAMN LIE! Politicians lie...and, lie often to us.

We do not expect our pastors, particularly when the ignoble lying is a held out to be examined as Rev. Nembhard did, to shortly thereafter engage in the same thing railed against.

Rev. Nembhard called out the dangerous and faulty actions of Pastor Phinn in claiming Portia would win the next election. Nembhard was right. ...and, the words he used to describe the 'wrongness' of Phinn's actions were right on the mark. How then can Nembhard turn around and give his one-sided take on Davis' stewardship? How can he draw the conclusions he did without one solitary reference to the very many programs being engaged in, even as we speak...underway and funded through actions by Davis and his collegues? Is Nembhard not, by engaing in pointing out only that which he sees as 'bad' without reference to what he MUST be seeing as good - a liar to his earlier words on Phinn? Is it unreasonable to think...to, after listening to Rev. Nembhard's earlier Christian guidance as he spoke on Phinn's actions...to arrive at the conclusion that Nembhard is now guiding us to comdemn Davis on all fronts of his leadership as Finance Minister?

The next step must be to look at all projects funded by this Minister of Finance and draw a conclusion on whether or not they were all bad, after all Nembhard, the good and honest Reverend, emphatic pronouncement said, "Are you proud that your monumental achievement in office is to leave a legacy of $1-trillion in debt to the people of Jamaica"? That final statement emplores us to judge Davis solely on that having of a trillion dollar debt. Is that fair? Is that honest? Is that right? Is that Christian? If it is, how must we judge any other Finance Minister if there is no debt, but Rev. Nembhard's suggested "expenditures should be met from revenue collection or even taxation"?

You do not have to look far to see - Is there not tightening of/lowering of expenditures on salaries of government employees...phasing out of jobs part of that lowering on borrowing/dependence on borrowing/increasing the debt? How does that sit with Nembhard's lament about excesses in unemployment/lack of jobs for the annual numbers of young coming into the labour force?

What is Nembhard saying here - "It is true that hotels are being built and there is increased activity in the bauxite and agricultural sectors, but the value-added effects of these activities, especially in the hotel sector, will not be felt for some time"? Nonsense activity? The Jamaican, "Cho"? Discount these activities? My answer is - YES! A part of the attempt by Nembhard to mislead! Lying action! Corrupt action by Nembhard!

...and, what is he saying here - "At some point, the debt has to be capped at a percentage of GDP"? Is he suggesting an artificial fixing of the percentage debt must be of GDP...without regard for current realities and or planned future goals? Does Nembhard really believe just saying what he said here is TRUTH...and, nothing but the whole truth?

On an on in Nembhard's article are half-truths, some incomplete facts - Damning attempts to have his audience not look at the true facts with all their ramifications. DAMN LIES! ...damn lying attempts to use half-truths (...and, we know half-truths for what they are - lies) ...to have his audience arrive at conclusions in which the good pastor has steered them.

Let Nembhard, as a good pastor should, tell the whole truth and let the chips fall where they may! The people do not need their pastors to be telling slanted stories about our politicians. To the contrary the people need our pastors and the good people to "speak the truth and speak it ever", leaving the conclusions on which part of the divide the people will fall to the people themselves.

[Muadib]

Re: Dr Davies' monumental achievement

This guy would have us listen to him say...and, to believe him, no doubt as a man of the cloth, that his sayings are non-partisan. He goes further and states that his congregation...his flock has members of both parties and therefore his saying must never give the appearance of being for one side or the other...giving succor to one side or the other.



Out of his own mouth the man is liar! Maintaining 'political objectivity', if I am to believe his earlier words means if he must make statements on the faults of Dr. Davis, if there is even one good thing Davis has done he must mention it.

In the worse of us, there is good. Even the murderer has some residual good traits learned at his mother's or father's feet. The article the 'goodly pastor'...the pastor who would have us believe that he is honest and just... Who would have us believe he is a Christian...and he finds only fault in his fellow human? Something is wrong there!

He may be right about the NIR being unimportant...merely borrowed money, and as he implies any fool/incompetent can borrow to bolster the NIR...

...but, as he further implies (lies!) he can only find...this man of the cloth who exhorts us to have faith in his utterances...this pastor who calls out his 'back-slider/straying' fellow pastor...lies through his teeth by presenting an article which suggests/tells/proclaims the Minister of Finance has only failures. He would want us to believe in the lie that there is no good in even the worst of us!

LAIR!

His homework must be to find the good Davis has done, divide the pages of his writings and put the good on one side and the bad on the other...and, leave the people to decide which side should hold sway in their thoughts as they made judgement on Davis. That is balance! That is how a true man of the cloth, I think, would present the facts to his flock...especially after a sermon...the sermon, I quoted from above... such as he preached earlier.

Until he evens the scales with the whole truth ...and repents - LIAR! CORRUPT LIAR!

Maudib: Interesting.. but suppose he wants Omar Davis to change his policies or for the PNP to replace Omar with someone that will end the bad policies ?

What would be the point of indicating the 'Good' works of Omar ?

You are a very 'interesting' character.

Then as a pastor he should point out Davis' entire 'works' and point out where he thinks there could be improvement and where a good alternative Finance Minister would make improvements, and present new policy directions and RETAIN THAT WHICH IS GOOD!

It is amazing that you of all persons could not see that over the years part of our problem is the 'new government' throws out good policies of past administrations and have us 're-start'.

It happens throughout all our society. Why do you think Boxhill, for example, moved away from any good deed Burrell did?

Let me answer - False pride/faulty personality trait/stupid actions! A not wanting to have others say he is merely following/implementing what Burrell did. It matters not that he could follow on with the good and make that good even better...improve on it. Nonsense set of leaders we have where that is concerned...and, it costs us time and billions wasted. It sets us back...and or slows growth!!!!

Aside: Wasn't it not a few days past we heard another ass of our commentaors saying Portia should not take any comfort in implementing good policies laid down by PJ?

[Muadib]

Re: Dr Davies' monumental achievement

Get Help.. Press the button beside your bed.. the meds are wearing off.

Do you understand what it means to CAP something ?

Taxes are one type of Government Revenue

If you are unable to make Govt more efficient, which includes rationalization of the human resource, because you are worried about low employment in the productive sector.. well you are in a serious pickle. It actually is possible to talk about increase employment and reducing the size of Govt without being contradictory.. that is in the REAL world Karl.

[Karl]

Re: Dr Davies' monumental achievement

Get Help.. Press the button beside your bed.. the meds are wearing off.

Do you understand what it means to CAP something ?

Taxes are one type of Government Revenue

If you are unable to make Govt more efficient, which includes rationalization of the human resource, because you are worried about low employment in the productive sector.. well you are in a serious pickle. It actually is possible to talk about increase employment and reducing the size of Govt without being contradictory.. that is in the REAL world Karl.

...and, the other type of increasing Government revenue is 'profits from government run enterprises'? Think of those 'profits' from government run entities in our Jamiaca situation from Busta's time to present.

btw - I hope you are not going to put in the necessary more efficient collection of taxes? ...because any which way you speak on it, that means collection of higher taxes. In a real sense you are collecting that which is used for other purposes by the various entities and persons. You just said, "in the REAL world"? Right?

Yes, talk is cheap. Increasing employment and reducing government does not work for the simple fact that as an economy booms more government services and increased delivery of services from government entities increase.

Certainly in as far as our Jamaica is concerned we need improved government services and increased delivery of government services. Hell it is one of the things our JLP speaks on every simgle solitary date.

What is desparately needed is more productivity from each government worker - both in sensible actions ( minds) and sweat (physical effort). ...and, that from MPs, through quasi-government workers, local and central government.

Ofcourse such improvement in sensible actions (minds) and sweat (physical effort) is also needed in the private sector. It was my contention from the '60s that the private sector, generally speaking, lives by merely increasing prices to cover inefficient production. - In a real sense many...if not tremendous vast majority of our private sector firms...merely increase percentage mark-ups to paper over inefficiencies. ...and, as with governement & quasi-government sectors, 'the people' bear the costs.

It certainly is not hard to see that with greater attention to employing 'sense' (minds) and sweat (physical effort) problems such as improved economic climate/environment and improved economy would result.

[Assasin]

Re: Dr Davies' monumental achievement

Karl what are lies are half truth about what you underlined?

You trying to make something that doesn't exist.

What are Davis's great achievement? Can you list them?

Holding inflation target some years he was in office and what else?

[Karl]

Re: Dr Davies' monumental achievement

Karl what are lies are half truth about what you underlined?

You trying to make something that doesn't exist.

What are Davis's great achievement? Can you list them?

Holding inflation target some years he was in office and what else?

Assasin: Your questions seem to suggest that you have been fooled... hook, line and sinker...into believing that the matters of 'holding inflation target(s)', percentages being at some arbituary level on GDP, consumer index, levels of taxes...and other 'econo-speak' is the sum total of measurements on achievements.

What about, for example, the Finance Minister...Finance Minister's over the years...impact on 'daily living standards'? What of schools built and or renovated, increase in salaries of our people, etc....? What of the impact policies of this Finance Minister on say, quality of education delivered by the government? ...what of the very many "let's move funds towards doing in 'this area' as opposed to holding funds at last year's levels or increasing funding in 'that area'? What effect does the actions of this Finance Minister have on funding in sports, transportation, water supply, electric supply, availability of quantity and quality of the food supply, etc...

...and, the other million and one things that the Minister of Finance actions during budget appropriations, supplementary budget appropriations and various times during the course of a year have on disaster relief, and other national times of stress/'national needs'?

When the half-truths of such as a Rev. Nembhard can cause educated sensible persons as yourself to think that his job is a mere simple taking care of the NIR or waving a wand and production figures improve...etc, etc...then one will appreciate the disservice such as Nembhard does with the half-truths and slanted distortions. What must the poor less fortunate as far as understanding the complexity of and intertwining of all actions by all us bring to bear on the economy...our lives and the lives of those yet to come...think? What do they think after being feed half-truths by politicians and most damning of all...the Christians and those who claim to, profess to by divine edict, have the interest of all of us at heart? Ministers of Religion whom we are taught to believe in... when we have had faith in them seared in souls, use that blind belief and manipulate us and lie to us? ...and, they would have us believe that the 60 odd persons who serve in the House of Representatives on their own is our salvation? LIARS!

Shame on Nembhard and others of his elk!!!