Budget!

So, yesterday - August 16th - was a big day here in Barbados.  It was the day that Parliament was in session to revise the budget for the coming year.  Interestingly enough - next year is election year.  Sound familiar?  Everyone was talking about what the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister were going to do.  Everyone on the island is suffering from the high taxes, high fuel, high electricity, and high food costs.  Again, sound familiar?  The Bajans already go without electricity as much as possible.  They rarely ever turn on the air conditioning.  But, the country is in a lot of debt.  Hum, again - sound familiar?  What would they announce for the budget for the coming year?  It was on everyone's tongue and minds yesterday - I mean everyone - even Gary and I, the continuous tourist, were aware of this and concerned for what would be announced.

So, this morning - on our way to our walk, we run into one of our neighbors - and he said he couldn't wait to find out what the budget was - would they do the right thing for the country or would they do the wrong thing, but what would get them reelected next year?  Again - sound familiar?

So, as Gary and I were walking - I started noticing all the locals walking by us.  They had a spring to their step.  There were smiles on all their faces.  I told Gary - I bet the answer was they went with what the people wanted instead of what was best for the country.

As, we approached the newspaper man that we buy our paper from each day, I asked him - "OK, so I haven't seen the paper yet - but, I can see the smiling faces on people and there is an added spring to their step - so, I'm saying that the Parliament reduced the taxes.  So, what is it?"  He smiled at me and said, "Yes, they are saying they are going to give us a Tax Ease."

Now isn't that so interesting - that we could tell what the outcome was - just by looking at how people were walking down the boardwalk?  Can I go ahead and predict who will win the elections next year?  :)