LARRY BURCHALL
Our debt swamp deserves a biblical analogy
Larry Burchall: Considering 2013 Bermuda, I recalled the Samson and Delilah story. Collectively, I see the new government as Samson. Collectively, I see the top echelons of the Civil Service as Delilah.
A bad deal for lower paid Government workers
Larry Burchall: It's eerie the way that lower-paid Government employees have been inveigled into the flat rate 4.6% 'one-day-off-a-month' apparent solution to the hundreds of millions of spending reductions that Government must eventually — and soon — achieve.
Team Bermuda is locked into a life-or-death struggle
Larry Burchall: 'In our democracy, Bermuda's team managers and players are chosen through the erratic and unpredictable process of the ballot box.'
It’s the ultimate all-Bermudian event
Larry Burchall: Foreigners and outsiders usually see Cup Match as a national cricket game played over two days between two sport clubs. Sad to say, some Bermudians see it this way too. But it isn’t so.
We need a strategy for seniors
Larry Burchall: The number of 'pensioners' and 'seniors' who have to be supported by the working population is growing faster than the working population.
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Pay cuts: big sharks snacking on small fry
Larry Burchall: I'm disturbed about the Government employees' pay cuts and the way they are planned. It's obvious to me that the big sharks are planning to snack on the small fry.
Our debt: six scary facts
Larry Burchall outlines six scary facts about Bermuda's debt.
Gov’t needs to slash its wage bill by 15%
Larry Burchall: If you think that you are not good with numbers, that's okay. Those penalty shots are still coming. The difference? The numerate guy or gal can see those fast moving balls.
We either brake now or smash later
Larry Burchall: I've been writing about high Personnel Costs since December 2010. Back then I suggested a 10 per cent pay cut for all Government personnel. Thirty months later, a 30 per cent cut in PC is needed.
PART II OF III
In order for GDP to rise, we need more foreigners
Larry Burchall: Forget OBA, UBP, PLP, BDA, and 1834. It is 2013 and Bermuda is dealing with an arithmetic reality.
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PART I OF III
Gov’t spending must fall for Bob’s plan to work
Larry Burchall: Minister Bob Richard decided to go for one big loan now and spread it over the next three years. So he is attacking the Bermuda Government’s financial predicament with a plan that can work. I hope it does work.
Read my lips: Bermuda is NOT a tax haven
Larry Burchall: Bermuda is not a tax haven. It never was. Bermuda is an Insurance centre.
Bermuda’s financials in shadows and light
Larry Burchall: The latest credit rating by Fitch is a strong example of the long dark shadow cast by years of political game playing over Bermuda’s national finances.
The big ugly facts of debt spending
Larry Burchall: Sometimes ordinary citizens just need to grab some honest public domain numbers and do some middle school arithmetic.
Explained: how hundreds of civil servants get pay hikes
Larry Burchall: The recently announced promotion of a Civil Servant in the Department of Planning reminded me of a little secret, rather like a family's 'funny uncle'.
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