Melinda Regis, sales representative, Grand Riviere: The economy is declining, that fact is obvious to all. It was amusing to hear the prime minister blame Cricket World Cup for the decline in the country’s economy. I didn’t hear him speaking out about the whole thing when the Cricket World Cup nonsense was going on. Why should he say something about it now? It’s not as if he was openly against it from the beginning.
Onika Louis, computer technician, Vieux Fort: I don’t have anything positive to say about the budget presentation. I didn’t hear anything that I hadn’t heard before. I listened to what was said but I don’t really expect the government to go through with everything they’re saying they will do. I wanted to hear Rufus Bousquet speak. I wanted to see where he stood and I was satisfied with the way he handled everything.
Ryan Melius, mechanic, Ciceron: To be quite honest, the only reason I bother to follow budget presentations and the budget debate every year is for the entertainment value. If I really had to listen to these government ministers and take them seriously then I would be in trouble. I don’t think any of them know what they’re talking about. They’re trying to make it seem as if they’re united and people can see right though their faÁade. I think the opposition is ideal for them. They need someone to keep them on their toes, though it seems as if no matter how intense the method, nothing positive will happen with the United Workers Party.
Giovani Henry, caterer, Castries: It really hurt me to hear these ministers over the radio and it was worse to watch them on TV, joking around as if everything was some kind of game. None of them acted their age. The only question in my mind as I watched the ministers make a fool of themselves was whether they behaved in the same manner when they left the island to represent St Lucia at regional or international functions. One would like to think their childish behaviour was the worst of it all but additionally, our ministers proved they cannot set a good example for anyone. The prime minister could not even pronounce simple words and he made mistakes in almost every line he read! Such a shame.
Sancha Joseph, marketing officer, Gros Islet: The main thing I’m sure every St Lucian wanted to hear the prime minister address is the whole food crisis issue. Though he addressed it, he only said they were going to formulate recommendations to address the issue of high food and gas prices. I did not hear anything positive that would reassure any other St Lucian or myself that the government was going to do something to try to help us out. No one cares about all these major development that may eventually generate income for the country. People need money now, who says they’re going to survive until then?
Troy Ronald, teacher, Choiseul: Of everything that was said, the thing that upset me most about the budget was when the prime minister said they were still in the process of reviewing the Labour code. Why on earth are they dragging the process so much? Workers in St Lucia are suffering. without the labour code their employers are free to take advantage of them and the government knows that. There are so many problems with these workers unions who never seem to be working in favour of workers. It’s way past time for the Labour code to be implemented and I think workers should go on strike until that happens.
Lorraine Charles, bar owner, Marisule: I for one was glued to my television for the duration of the budget and the budget debates that followed. I was quite pleased at the way Bousquet gave them exactly what they deserved. He was right when he said they were letting the opposition walk all over them. They couldn’t even defend themselves. It seemed as if they all realized that what he was saying was true because none of them could say a word. Not even the so-called prime minister Stephenson King!
Paul Augier, gas station attendant: I will never support all that is going on in this country and for that reason, I chose not to watch this year’s budget presentation. I think all the development that’s in the cards for St Lucia’s future will only destroy the island. Too much development can be a bad thing and I think that’s where we’re heading. With the whole situation with the vendors; government wants to kick them out so they can make more money from their waterfront location is pathetic. Why should St Lucia be like everywhere else? No one is going to want to come here if we’re just like any other place in the world. We need to hold onto some things to set ourselves apart from the rest of the world.
Kilano Aimable, photographer, Reduit: I like the idea of the Barre de L’isle tunnel but I’m not sure how feasible that is going to be. If this ends up happening it would be a further step in connection the island. Even though St Lucia is really small, sometimes it feels as if the people in the north and the south live in completely different islands.
Edward Linus, carpenter, Monchy: The government continues to say the Taiwanese are going to complete the mental hospital and the facility would "be used to accommodate administrative services related to health." Somehow I don’t believe the Taiwanese are going to complete the structure. Though it would be a good thing if that happened; Victoria Hospital has done its time in its present location, but I’ve been hearing so many rumours that the building is going to be sold and all sorts of things.