Reckless public spending leaves a long trail of victims

What do the following people have in common: Seniors who’ve had their pension benefits frozen by the Finance Minister; students who’ve been told by Senator David Burch that the Government is cutting back their summer jobs programme; teachers trying to raise money to cover Government cancellation of a $60,000 summer programme that helps 45 children with learning disabilities and Ag and Fish workers fighting Government for overtime pay as they prepare for the Annual Exhibition?

Each of these groups has come face to face with the consequences of Government’s reckless, uncontrolled spending. It is the fallout of stories that you’ve read about over the years, from the construction of a secondary school costing $60 million more than planned, a Dockyard pier $30 million over budget, $100 million a year for consultants, government ministers racking up huge travel expenses… the list goes on.

The cupboard is bare

Just when the Government needs to step forward to help people who are struggling to get by — and there are many — it has nothing to offer because its cupboard is bare. There is no money for summer jobs, no money for overtime, no money for counter-cyclical spending to soften the impact of a weakening economy, and people are hurting because of it.

We have long warned against this failure to plan, to prepare for a rainy day. We have invoked the Biblical parable of using the fat years to prepare for the lean years. We have railed against the culture of self-indulgence that has put the interests of ministers, their friends and consultants before those of everyday people. We have argued strenuously to get a grip on wasteful spending that has drained tens of millions of dollars from the public purse. We have never let up our criticism even though it has caused many in the community to see us as unduly negative. We have done so because it is very important to carefully plan and prudently manage the people’s money so government does not let them down when they need help.

The government has not done this and we see it as a betrayal of the pact that exists between a government and the people who elect it.

The kicker in this is that when we challenge government ministers to explain their spending and blown budgets we are met with racial taunts. This is happening more and more and on the few occasions explanations are given the refrain is that it is all because of the international downturn.

Don’t believe it for a moment. Don’t be misled. Government’s inability to help people today is a consequence of its failure to prepare for this rainy day. The cancellation of a $60,000 summertime programme that helps children with learning disabilities has nothing to do with the “economic downturn.”

The gap between this kind of spin and reality is indicative of a massive gap between a government that has put itself first and the people second. It’s not good enough and people must call the government on it.

My colleagues and I have spent a lot of time lately knocking on doors, listening to the concerns of people from all walks of life and I can say that the anxieties across the island are real and deep. More people are hurting than I can ever remember.

It is a shame, a crying shame that their government is not there to help them. But that is the price for loose spending. It has bankrupted this island’s ability to support people when they need it most.

It is time for change. Bermuda can’t continue down this path.

Kim Swan is the Leader of the Opposition.