"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
Supply-side trickle-down economics — also known as neoliberalism — has failed to deliver prosperity for western workers. Instead, the western middle class is angry. Free market ideology has driven a …
Continue reading “Commentary — ‘Economics for a dangerous time’”
Cultural engagement and cultural integration between ethnic and racial groups is no longer optional for these Virgin Islands: It is necessary. Looking afar, global social change shows that populism and …
Continue reading “Commentary — Call made for cultural harmony”
Queen’s Counsel Gerard Farara is a constitutional theorist with a successful and thriving legal practice in the Virgin Islands. In early May, Mr. Farara asserted that any reform of a …
Smart politicians pay heed to early disenchantment from voters. Why? Because to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Voter grumbling and voter discontentment at specific matters usually mark the beginning …
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Once a government has decided upon its short-, medium- and long-term strategy, leading to realisation of a national vision, economics is the tool and vehicle to get the territory to …
Continue reading “Commentary — Call made for national vision”
In terms of value for money, investment in the West End ferry terminal is the most critical tourism and seaport investment the Virgin Islands can make right now. Investment in …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — WE ferry dock seen as crucial”
As Election Day approaches, this Virgin Islands resident pleads with the voting and nonvoting public to exercise patience, civility and cordiality throughout the whole electoral process through the voting on …
In the long run, Brexit is unsustainable, and it will impact British overseas territories in the Caribbean. A preamble is appropriate: The new Virgin Islands government has stated that maritime …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Brexit seen as a danger to OTs”
Despite predictions that independent candidates and new parties would drive a new political culture in the Virgin Islands, the two main political parties remain dominant. In politics, a strong brand …
Continue reading “Commentary — Party system seen to prevail”
One matter the new government will have to keep front and centre is the fact that elements in the United Kingdom establishment are calling for major changes in the overseas …
Continue reading “Commentary — UK report sparks indignation”
As Election Day approaches, this Virgin Islands resident pleads with the voting and nonvoting public to exercise patience, civility and cordiality throughout the whole electoral process through the voting on …
A young Virgin Islander went on a rant on Facebook recently and screamed at the voters who demand cash for votes. But cash for votes is nothing new. It is …
Continue reading “Commentary — ‘White-envelope politics’ rejected”
The Virgin Islands’ demographic and migration patterns, and how these are used in the election campaigns, is the great unmentionable in the room. VI election seasons are a volatile, tumultuous …
Continue reading “Commentary — Voters urged to consider policy, not ‘tribe’”
The horserace for power in the Virgin Islands has entered the final lap. Political poster boards are going up the length and breadth of the land. The political news in …
Continue reading “Commentary — ‘White envelopes’ and sceptical voters”
In 20 years, the state of Virgin Islands politics has never seen the flux and flow it sees today. In the past 20 years, the two-party system has governed the …
Jack the Billionaire Investor never really loses. When the global economy comes crashing down as a result of unsustainable mortgage and housing debt, Jack buys bonds from Uncle Sam — …
Continue reading “Commentary — Wealthy investors seen always to win”
Anyone who understates the climate change threat is living in Wonderland. Hurricanes Irma and Maria and the September 2017 floods brought the climate change reality to the Virgin Islands in …
Continue reading “Commentary — Climate change seen as dire threat to VI”
Street soundings are pointing towards a coalition government for the Virgin Islands after the upcoming general election. Is the belief that there will be no clear majority for either of …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Chances of coalition gov’t mulled”
Twelve months after the worst natural disaster in Virgin Islands modern history, the territory is still reeling and roaming about in the wilderness! That Hurricane Irma set the development of …
Accurate statistics and sound economic metrics are critical to engineering economic recovery for the Virgin Islands. A July article in a national online newspaper stated that the territory’s public debt …
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Locally owned small businesses are critical for getting the Virgin Islands out of recession. Small business is at the core of the VI economic engine. Building strong small businesses is …
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The United States economy is booming, and it is expected to grow 4.5 percent this year. This is a very strong growth rate, and it is unusual for the current …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Recession potential causes concerns”
The territory’s next general election is to take place before the end of next summer. It will be an epic affair. The election will be a hard fought battle. In …
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The world is facing huge environmental threats and a climate change narrative that is changing the culture and way of life of geographically and ecologically vulnerable communities and societies. Communities …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made to build back green”
Economies that depend upon a single product and a single market for their existence put all their eggs into a single basket. When that basket takes a hit, all hell …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Territory warned to diversify economy”