Tuesday, December 19, 2006 The INdependent Reformer Page 1 The dependent IN Reform for the People Vol. 1 No. 4 Tuesday, December 19, 2006 $1.00 Pussy Foot Politics Cat and Mouse in the Senate Contributed equal footing with the other members is completely ignored after the election. funds or diverting money from national of the House, is something whose time During the last national election development projects, risking public At the last Senate hearing, the has come. campaign in 2003, it appeared that the investments, pillaging public financial Belizean public heard Senator Godwin In this writer’s opinion, an elected PUP was loosing public support due to institutions, or taking money under false Hulse voice his frustration that the Senate is critical to putting the breaks perception that corruption was rampant pretenses for non-existent projects or Senate could not get more details of on the current government’s runaway in government. Prime Minister and Party (Please Turn To Page 3) Government’s proposed bond for US economic train and give the appearance Leader, Said Musa, saved the day for $565 million. He objected to the speed of putting the people back in the driver’s the PUP. He acknowledged the at which it is was being rushed through seat. corruption and promised to stamp it out. Bruk-dong the house and the Senate’s helplessness An elected Senate is something the But as we enter 2007, the stamping to stop it or even slow it down. Senator PUP themselves should welcome if their hasn’t started yet! Instead public King ‘06 Dickie Bradley, leader of government 1998 campaign manifesto is to be perception is that the party leader is now business in the Senate reminded him that believed. In that year the PUP dictator and his rule is bordering on the Senate is essentially a rubber stamp promised: “to ensure a real separation tyranny. on money bills and that the non-elected of powers between the executive and Government makes no attempt to members should not presume to have legislative branches and reduce the cover, or even justify the corrupt acts, as much say in these matters as the power of ministers to make or bend it just allows them to continue. House of Representatives. laws”. Belizeans, it seems, can do nothing for Clearly the time has come for the That is exactly what an elected Senate under the present political system there Senators of Belize to be empowered to with mid term elections would have is no way to check those in power. As do more for this country than they can done—and could still do— if either far as the Government is concerned if at the moment. There have been political party were truly interested in you do not like the way they do business, rumblings for years about the need for stopping corruption. you can go to hell. The corruption has Senate Reform, but perhaps now, Belizeans have learned a sad lesson been brazen and open; however, it is Belizeans, and Senators, see for about political promises; that they are clear none of the politicians have been themselves than an elected Senate, on most often false political rhetoric which prosecuted for any misappropriation of Kenny Morgan says ‘Enuff iz Enuff’ (See review on pg. 4) They call me back door santa Inside this Issue Bruk it down pg. 4 Total Madness pg. 5 Lots of bark New Loans but no bite CDB: US$ 12.6M (Ara Macao Road)? pg. 7 CDB: US$25M (Loan Refinancing)? Venezuela: US$25M + US$25M + US$25M + US$25....? Placencia IBOM: US$83 M ? RBTT: Dry up? Fisherman IDB: US$25 Loan? This Christmas looks bright for receives award Cuba: Light up the Night? Musa while the new year looks dim pg. 14 for Belizeans (See cartoon on pg. 4) Taiwan: More chedda? Tuesday, December 19, 2006 The INdependent Reformer Page 2 Editorial Director Meb Cutlack EditorialEditorialEditorial NoteNoteNote n this, the fourth issue of Independent to go but up. But they also know it won’t Reformer Weekly, I take the just happen by magic. That no foreign power Iopportunity to thank all our readers and will rescue us, and no established political Editor distributors countrywide and wish you Happy party in country will either. Holidays. The Independent is taking the Whatever crashing through of the elite glass Karla Heusner Vernon decision to skip the Christmas week and ceiling needs to be done will be done from come out again January 2nd. It should be an underneath. In our hearts, we all prefer exciting issue because we will be selecting peaceful change; but whether it happens that the Man and Woman of the Year as well as way or through violence will depend not so mentioning some other notable events and much on our own intentions, but on their people of 2006. resistance, and reluctance, to do the right thing Design/Layout It’s hard to believe this year is over, it and step aside, and down. seemed to go so quickly. But as we rush As we pray they find the wisdom to Marigold Enterprise headlong into 2007 it is with a renewed sense continue the peaceful, constructive revolution of purpose. The feeling is palatable across and put their own self interest aside, we will and thanks you for seeking us out each week the country and Belizeans seem to have a try to enjoy the holy-days and recharge our and sharing your thoughts with your friends, greater sense that change is upon us, and that energies. families and associates. we must take advantage of the opportunities The staff of the Independent Reformer Seasons Greetings everyone, meet you General Manager being presented to us all. There has been so Weekly wishes you all a blessed Christmas back here, January 2nd, 2007. much negativity, even desperation, over the past few months. That is not necessarily a Trevor Vernon bad thing; for people only change their situation when things are uncomfortable. LetterLetter toto thethe EditorEditor Those few who still comfortable are realizing, very quickly, that those who make their soft life possible are becoming Clarification of terms and phrases Published by: increasingly unhappy with the struggle just to Madam Editor, than a small one” and it comes from maintain a modest home and lifestyle. Too We want to congratulate the Adolph Hitler, in Mein Kampf, who was many Belizeans have seen their spending Independent Publishing Independent on your new enterprise. a fascist (right-wing), not a communist. power diminish this past year, too many have Company Ltd. We are offering this criticism of your [anyone wanting clarification of those ○○○○○○○○○○○ begun to feel not only are they not getting terms, can email us at P.O. Box 2666 ahead; they are hardly breaking even article entitled Election shugga daddy(s), December 5 issue, in hopes [email protected]]. Belize C.A. anymore. People who once lived paycheck The above is a perfect example of a to paycheck are not finding themselves selling that you do not follow the path of many lie being repeated so often, it is accepted off the few things they own to carry newspapers before you. as truth. Communism and Fascism are themselves over the rest of the month and We have no problem with the article not the same thing. The communists living paycheck to several paychecks itself, but with a phrase you used at the Telephones: would not quote a fascist who was down the road. end: “if one tells a little lie no one will responsible for the murders and We used to wish each other a prosperous believe it; if many people tell a big lie (501) 225-3520 new year, now some hardly remember what promises big results everyone will extermination of millions of prosperity felt like or if it will ever come again. believe it. The communist philosophy communists, labor leaders, and minority groups. Email: But it must, for as the wheel of fortune suggests that if you tell a lie often enough turns down, so it will turn back up. Many the people will believe it.” The actual Just trying to keep it honest. Belizeans feel the country has already hit the quote is: “The broad mass of a nation [email protected] lowest point of the cycle and there is no where will more easily fall victim to a big lie Signed: George and Candy Gonzalez Printed by: National Printers New Road INdependentThe Belize City, Belize Reformer [email protected] P.O. Box 2666 Belize City, Belize YES! Send me 6 months of the INdependent Reformer for as little as For an online version of the “QuoteBZ$30.00 (US$30.00 of theinternational) Week” INdependent Reformer Name (please print) visit us at Address Apt. http://www.belizenorth.com/ independentreformer.htm OR City State Zip http://belizenews.com/ independentonline.pdf Email Address Payment Included Bill me later Prices for subscription and postage may vary for subscription outside Belize. Tuesday, December 19, 2006 The INdependent Reformer Page 3 an elected Senate is indispensable for national debt of $2 Billion plus. Why Pussy Foot Politics good Government. The Republican should the head of ANY political party party, which was the party in power, lost have the power to wreak such havoc, to (Continued From Page 1) Under the present system, the Prime control of the Senate and the democrats destroy the economy rather than build it, causes. Nor does it appear anyone is Minister appoints members of the National are now in the majority. This turnaround to ruin people’s lives rather than provide likely to be prosecuted, not even after Assembly to head the various ministries.