Government – Page 52 – Go Lean…Caribbean

Category: Government

Dominica raises EC$20 million on regional securities market

Posted on March 25, 2014 in Economics, Government

Go Lean Commentary

The forgoing news article synchronizes with the book Go Lean … Caribbean in that it advocates the alternative financing scheme for government debt; that of treasury bonds in the region’s security markets. The news article further describes the success using the existing monetary union for the Eastern Caribbean states. The Go Lean roadmap extrapolates that monetary union for all 30 member-states and the stronger currency of the Caribbean Dollar. This approach exceeds the current regime for many Caribbean states, that of foreign debt, which has to be repaid in foreign currency.

This book therefore promotes independence (Page 120), by being less beholden to foreign powers and foreign banks. Yes, independence by means of interdependence.

Roseau, Dominica – Dominica raised EC$20 million (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) on the Regional Government Securities Market (RGSM) on Monday with with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit saying it represents confidence in the policies of his administration.

The money was raised at a record low 1.999 per cent through the first of a series of three 91-day Treasury Bill offerings.

“Many countries in the developed world especially in Europe have had difficulty in raising monies at concessionary rates. The discount rate achieved in Monday’s Treasury bill offering means that government can now raise the financing it needs at a lower cost to the taxpayers of Dominica,” said Skerrit, who is also finance minister.

He said his administration has had to grapple with Dominica’s own challenges “but we have worked actively to build a strong platform for sustained economic growth.

“Our prudent fiscal and economic policies have insulated the country from the more severe effects of the global recession,” Prime Minister Skerrit added.

A government statement said that the rate of 1.999% is 50 basis points below the previous record of 2.49%.

“Investors view the purchase of the 91 day Treasury bill as a low-risk investment opportunity. The low Treasury bill rate demonstrated the ability of the Government of Dominica to raise money at relatively low cost,” the statement said.

It said that as a result, the government will seek to raise an additional EC$65 million on the RGSM through the remaining two, 91 day Treasury bills and one five year, EC$25 million bond.

“This is to finance part of government’s operating budget and refinance existing government debt, the interest rate on which is much higher than the interest rate government obtains on its Treasury bills. Treasury Bills present an avenue to invest outside of the normal banking system,” the statement added.
Source: Caribbean360.com – Caribbean Online Magazine (Retrieved 03/21/2014)http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/business/1107319.html#ixzz2wcE8gxHl

This book serves as a roadmap for the implementation of the Caribbean Union Trade Federation (CU), and the Caribbean Central Bank (CCB) to issue the regional Caribbean Dollar currency. This CCB institution is projected as an independent, yet technocratic federal agency to administer the region’s monetary affairs. Thus ushering a change in funding options available to the 30 member-state governments. At the outset, the roadmap identified this urgent need, stating this clause in the Declaration of Interdependence (Page 14):

xxix. Whereas all Caribbean democracies depend of the free flow of capital for municipal, public and private financing, the institutions of capital markets can be better organized around a regional monetary union. The Federation must institute the controls to insure transparency, accounting integrity and analysis independence of the securities markets, thereby shifting the primary source of capital away from foreign lenders to domestic investors, comprising institutions and individuals.

The foregoing news article depicts how much cheaper this funding approach is compared to alternatives, as Grenada was able to raise so much short term money at a low rate of 1.999%. This is much cheaper than any bank loan option. But with this alternative financing scheme, come new risks and threats. The Go Lean roadmap anticipates the many consequential impacts on Caribbean society, allowing for best-practice mitigations, such as credit ratings and reporting, investigations and prosecutions at the federal level, monitoring for systemic threats and racketeering crimes that can undermine the entire system.

The book details this oversight in these advocacies and anecdotes, embedding lessons from other jurisdictions like Wall Street in the US:

10 Ways to Impact Wall Street (Page 200)
10 Lessons from 2008 (Page 136)
10 Ways to Improve Credit Reporting (Page 155)
10 Ways to Better Manage Debt (Page 114)
10 Revenue Sources for Caribbean Administration (Page 172)
Appendix GC – Credit Ratings Agencies Role in 2008 Financial Crisis (Page 276)

The CU/CCB solutions are designed to make the Caribbean a better place to live, work and play. This roadmap starts with an economic focus, but it also facilitates optimization of the governance processes. To maintain good governance, there must be a steady stream of revenues. The Go Lean roadmap calls for member-state governments availing more benefits from the capital & securities markets; for example, public sales of property tax liens. This strategy will be a “win-win” for all, elevate the social contract between the governments and the governed: more revenues drive more services; more services drive more opportunities to benefit the citizens (and all other stakeholders: investors, visitor, diaspora, etc.) of the Caribbean.

Download the book Go Lean … Caribbean – now!

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Book Review: ‘How Numbers Rule the World: The Use & Abuse of Statistics in Politics’

Posted on March 25, 2014 in Economics, Government

Go Lean Commentary

The below news article is a Review of the above-cited book; it highlights many of the same approaches being used in the publication Go Lean … Caribbean for the introduction and implementation of the Caribbean Union Trade Federation (CU). This book embraces the concepts of agile or lean methodologies to measure and manage progress in the region. Thus the name Go Lean. The Federation will lean-in to best-practices for capturing, computing, and measuring good economic and consumption data.

The source book by Lorenzo Fioramonti focuses on the use and abuse of statistics in the field of economic measurements, or econometrics. He asserts that the aggregate numbers are so critical that they “rule the world”. Due to this power, there is a basis for abuse, and far too often bad numbers have been used to exploit good intentions. The Go Lean book serves as a roadmap for the 5-year implementation of the CU. This requires exact econometric measurements from the outset, and thusly organizational structures will be embedded with the capabilities to facilitate this mandate. See the review here:

Book: How Numbers Rule the World: The Use and Abuse of Statistics in Global Politics. Lorenzo Fioramonti. Zed Books

Review by: Stuart Astill

GDP drives our economies. Stock market indices flood our media and national debates. Statistical calculations define how we deal with climate change, poverty and sustainability. But what is behind these numbers? In this book, Lorenzo Fioramonti sets out to show how numbers have been used as a means to reinforce the grip of markets on our social and political life, curtailing public participation and rational debate. Stuart Astill finds it to be a well written book, blending together knowledge from different fields into a coherent and readable whole. Of interest to economists, statisticians and especially those studying all aspects of power and politics.

During my time as a government statistician I had literally no idea that I was not, as many people thought, an oxymoron, but rather I was a tautology. I have discovered amongst many other things, thanks to Lorenzo Fioramonti‘s book, that statistics were originally created for the express purpose of governing and reforming the state, hence the ‘stat’ part of the name.

However, the title of the book, “How numbers rule the world”, is much closer to describing the content than is the subtitle, “the use and abuse of statistics in global politics”. Fioramonti’s main concerns are economists and, perhaps even more, the people who ask questions of economists and statisticians. He intelligently explains how he despairs of people who abuse their technical

knowledge or their advantageous position to turn the world to their own ends rather than the common good. This is not surprising: the author holds a Chair in Governance at the University of Pretoria and applies governance thinking through his work on topics around development, alternative economies and social progress measurement.

This book is consequently largely about power, rather than numbers: it illustrates a subset of abuses of power that have numbers at their heart. It is in some ways a psychopath’s guide to bullying the world by numbers – pretending that everything is ‘rational’, ‘independent’ and ‘objective’ and building fortresses of power around these intentional misrepresentations. In a provocative and fascinating first introductory chapter Fioramonti outlines his take on the world of ‘official’ numbers – perhaps best summed up where he says “Experts who use numbers have become the guardians of [this] social trust… citizens, elected representatives and other stakeholders… are held hostage by experts…”

The main chapters are quite specific techno-politico-historical investigations into four areas; ‘New global rulers: the untameable power of credit rating’, ‘Fiddling while the planet burns: the marketization of climate change’,

‘Measuring the unmeasurable: the financialization of nature’ and ‘Numbers for good? The quest for aid effectiveness and social impact’. He concludes with ‘Rethinking numbers, rethinking governance’. The whole is well written, blending together knowledge from different fields into a coherent and readable flow with a good number of ‘light bulb’ moments.

As a slight criticism from a purist, Fioramonti occasionally blurs the undeniable neutrality of mathematics and the more qualitative issues that necessarily sit around it. Economics and, to a slightly lesser extent, applied statistics consist of assumptions first and foremost, plus mathematics. I would have preferred to have seen clearer isolation of elements that are unquestionably objective and true – there is only one way for a statistician to calculate where the 90th percentile lies and only one way for an economist to carry out a simple linear regression. What Fioramonti is discussing is not just mathematics, but numbers in the real political world that sit as the filling in a sandwich. On either side of the pure mathematical filling is the sometimes rotten bread. In statistics we have on one side the definition of the statistics under consideration and the selection of the methodology that will be used – on the other side a slice of presentation and selective highlighting (or subtle downplaying). In economics, even more crucially, the fundamental assumptions that define the model (the most famous of which is the General Equilibrium, or ‘free market’ model) make one slice of the bread, while the presentation and choice of weighting empirical evidence with pure theory form the other.

Mathematics is the neutral servant of the assumptions but the assumptions can and should be stated and debated independently. I have always argued that the crucial step in analysis is to come back to our clearly stated assumptions and test them in view of our results against the real world. We must embrace a qualitative depth even in the most apparently quantitative pursuits. Professor Fioramonti has shown in a passionate and convincing way the global importance of this aspiration. His unarguable clarion call is for clarity, transparency and widespread, gentle and constructive skepticism.

I would add that we must make a great push for wider numeracy and understanding of scientific philosophy. In our world it is possible for a senior public servant to say “I don’t do numbers”, despite ‘analysis and use of evidence’ being one of their core competencies. As long as the public and the politerati do not have the skills to engage with (note, not in) quantitative analysis we cannot escape the traps that are so vividly described by this book.

Another lesson illustrated clearly by Fioramonti in this book is to embrace ambiguity. From a practitioner’s point of view it is crucial to consider how integrity can go hand in hand with progressing the use of numbers in a beneficial way. I was particularly taken by the chapter ‘Numbers for good? The quest for aid effectiveness and social impact’ which illustrates Fioramonti’s theme particularly well, showing how the undeniable power of numbers to reduce the inconceivable reality of the world to manageable proportions can lead to dangers, especially when exercised in the realm of human behaviour. The sharpness of his argument is summed up when he says that “the complexity of social relations is lost through the cracks of mathematical algorithms”.

His dismay at models being ignorantly lifted from the world of business and planted in non-profit development sectors is clear and well evidenced. There is a wonderfully familiar feeling to a quote in the chapter on aid effectiveness where the author is commissioned by his development-sector client to “improve their impact assessment tools”. Fioramonti offers them a coherent and balanced strategy with a methodology that is sensitive to the needs of the client and, hopefully, inclusive and beneficial to those in the developing countries. The CEO of the commissioning organisation listens and then baldly states: “Dr Fioramonti, there must have been a misunderstanding… we want you to develop one number which can tell us if what we do works or doesn’t. As simple as that.”

To have integrity, practitioners must recognise the right of commissioners of work to voice such a demand, whilst to the best of their capability working to a conclusion that, at worst, does no harm. At best the practitioner’s conclusion improves the world, moves forward the client’s understanding and improves the shared body of knowledge. Not easy when there are practitioners out there with less integrity, ready to take money in exchange for work that may do harm.

The author shows us in the historical section of this chapter the devastating scale of the misguidedness (my polite phrase!) that can occur when poorly defined economic growth becomes the key measure of development; natural resources are over-exploited, countries grow, but fail to adequately develop democratically, in human capital terms or in the most basic health, poverty and human rights areas. Even when/if aid makes it to the correct destinations it may well merely be used to prove someone’s (flawed) economic theory. Philanthropic ventures, the author argues, are often backed by the kind of people (technocrats, those from the business world), who like their money to be spent according to simple methodologies with hard numbers that ought to be seen as widely discredited given the events of the last financial crisis.

However deep the numbers can take us they cannot take us to the true problem, which is also the heart of the solution: power. In the end it seems that most of the problems in this book come down to something simple and very human: desperation for certainty combined with a need for simplicity in a confusing world. The challenge then is to move forward constructively and honestly while responding to and understanding that impossible desire.

In the Go Lean book, there is an advocacy “10 Ways to Measure Progress” (Page 147), detailing how the CU will manage the mission to make the Caribbean a better place to live, work, and play. The roadmap posits that this effort is a journey, not just one act. Therefore this effort is to be optimized with advanced process management methodologies to ensure CU goals are being accomplished; the stakeholders must therefore measure the progress. The key to this effort will be the federal structure of a Commerce Department with the primary role of harvesting demographic and econometric data. The roadmap adopts a Trade philosophy branded as SHIELD (Strategic, Harvest, Interdiction, Enforcement, Logistics and Delivery). The CU will install Project Management Offices in every Executive Branch Department to ensure a lean culture of quality delivery and accountability. This mission is highlighted at the outset of the Go Lean book, in a Declaration of Interdependence, with the following statement:

xxiv. Whereas a free market economy can be induced and spurred for continuous progress, the Federation must install the controls to better manage aspects of the economy: jobs, inflation, savings rate, investments and other economic principles. Thereby attracting direct foreign investment because of the stability and vibrancy of our economy.

There are other numbers that are important in the management of the Caribbean regional economy, numbers that measure the capabilities of the economic engines and the quality of Caribbean life. In particular, these are the numbers that are compiled and evaluated by credit reporting agencies and “failed-state” assessors. The Go Lean roadmap details action plans to improve these metrics: “10 Ways to Improve Credit Ratings” (Page 155) and “10 Ways to Improve Failed-State Indices” (Page 134).

Now is the time for the Caribbean region to lean-in for the changes described in the book Go Lean … Caribbean. The benefits of this roadmap are very alluring, that with the measured progress, and appropriate course correction, the Caribbean region can emerge to a $800 Billion economy (up from $278 Billion based on 2010 figures). These are just numbers, yes, but as Lorenzo Fioramonti pointed in in the foregoing reviewed book, these ”… Numbers Rule the World …”

Download the book now Go Lean … Caribbean.

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Caribbean leaders convene for CARICOM summit in St Vincent

Posted on March 25, 2014 in Government, Implementation, Locations, Tactical

Go Lean Commentary

The forgoing news article highlights many problems with the current Caribbean Community (CariCom); as was also identified in the book Go Lean … Caribbean. The book declares that CariCom has failed in its quest to integrate and elevate the region’s economies.

But there is some special value that can be gleaned from the regional construct. That value is tied to the existing ratification for regional integration for 15 member-states, 5 associate member-states, and 9 observer states. At the outset of the book, an assessment is made of dispositions of all Caribbean states, of all language groups, and the failed execution of the CariCom as a construct. The book’s Prologue declares that all Caribbean member-states must lean-in for change. That change is the ascension of a better regional integrated entity, the Caribbean Union Trade Federation (CU). The book serves as a roadmap for the introduction and implementation of the CU.

The roadmap’s publisher, the SFE Foundation, respectfully disagrees with the Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, the Honorable Ralph Gonsalves. Though he is elected to speak on behalf of the population of the 120,000 of his country, the Go Lean roadmap echoes the cries of a 10-million-strong Diaspora for all the Caribbean, of all 4 languages. While Mr. Gonsalves proclaims “more of the same”, these members of the Diaspora have already cast a dissenting vote, with their “feet and their wallets”, as they fled their Caribbean homelands taking their time, talents and treasuries with them. Undoubtedly, the Diaspora still have a love for their homelands and cultural heritage to be preserved. So through the pages of this book and interactions on Social Media, they have voted their democratic preference: a No for the CariCom status quo, and a Yes for a “deeper dive” into the integration “waters”. It is thusly an unequivocal Declaration of Interdependence.

See the news story here:

By: Peter Richards

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders began their inter-sessional summit here on Monday reiterating the importance of the regional integration movement to the socio-economic and political development of the region.

Host Prime Minister and CARICOM Chairman, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said that 41-year-old 15-member grouping was not designed as a central government for a “bundle of disparate territories” neither was it a unitary state or federation or confederation.

“The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas conceives CARICOM as a community of sovereign states. Its centre has been deliberately designed as a weak superstructure which constantly gropes for consensus.

“That is what the political market can bear, that is the reality which the broad citizenry in the community has endorsed.”

Gonsalves said that neither the political leadership as a collective nor the populations as a whole have an appetite for much more than what is currently on offer in the treaty commitments.

“So our political mandate is to ensure that what is fashioned in the Revised Treaty is implemented optimally. To achieve this we must first love and care for CARICOM, secondly we must ensure that the organs of the Community work as intended and that its decisions are implemented in each nation-state of the Community”

He said thirdly, the political leaders and populations in each nation posses the requisite political will for CARICOM’s optimal functioning as structured.

Gonsalves told the summit that a compelling agenda for CARICOM has been outlined by numerous studies, including one by Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran and that a “strategic path is being further elaborated by CARICOM.

Gonsalves said that CARICOM is frequently lambasted for its failure or refusal to implement the decisions of its treaty based institutions.

“Invariably, the CARICOM Secretariat is excoriated for this implementation deficit. However, the Secretariat is not CARICOM, it is the central administrative instrument of CARICOM but it possesses no authority to compel enforcement of decisions of the various Councils of Ministers and the Heads of State and Government conference.”

Gonsalves said that in the absence of an executive CARICOM Commission, buttressed by the requisite constitutional or legal authority, the central responsibility for the implementation of CARICOM’s decisions rests with the governments of the individual nation-states.

“Thus, each government is enjoined in its responsibility, nay its solemn obligation to put appropriate institutional

arrangements in its national executive and administrative apparatuses to facilitate the speedy and efficacious implementation of CARICOM decisions.”

Gonsalves told his regional colleagues that to be sure, the delivery of the Secretariat’s administrative and coordinated functions ought to be enhanced even as he acknowledged that the implementation deficit has to be put “squarely where it belongs, at the level of national governments. “Accordingly, vaunted change drivers cannot reasonably facilitate meaningful change in decision-making and implementation in CARICOM if the individual governments or several of them do not embrace a commitment, made manifest through structured arrangements day-to-day, in the making and implementation of CARICOM’s decision.”

“So the success of the CARICOM enterprise truly begins with the political leaderships, though it does not end with us alone. It ends with us, our national populations and national institutions massaged by the balm of our regional apparatuses,” Gonsalves said.

He said while the summit here has a “long agenda” the subjects to be discussed or reviewed for determination all have one focus, “the improvement in the quality of life and living of the people of our CARICOM region.

”Our deliberations at this conference do not take place in an abstract world, but ina lived [in a world where] global, regional and national conditions [are] stuffed with possibilities and limitations.

“The real world of life, living, and production compel us at this time to reflect centrally on measures for strengthening our regional and national economies including the fortification of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME|), addressing efficaciously the existential challenge of climate change, improving markedly the delivery of air and sea transportation and enhancing citizen security”.

Gonsalves said that apart from these issues there were also the perennial matters such as governance, institutional and administrative arrangements of CARICOM deemed “best suited to achieve CARICOM purposes”.

In her address to the conference, outgoing CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar said that she was pleased one of the major outcomes of the last summit was the approval for the establishment of the Commission on the Economy to advise regional governments on solutions that would lead to growth and development.

“The Commission’s work has already begun and with a deep appreciation of the fact that sustainable development can only be achieved through the free movement of people and goods, reliable transportation across the region has also become a top priority. “

The Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister said that in planning for the future of the region, her country would continue to take its responsibility “very seriously in linking our progress to the region’s success.

“As one of the founding members of the Community, we have worked hard to build a reputation on good faith that wherever we seek our best diplomatic and bilateral interests on the global stage, so too will we seek the best interests of CARICOM.”

She said more critical to the sustainability of the region “is our need to work decisively to eradicate crime and threats to the safety of the people of CARICOM.

“In this regard, Trinidad & Tobago proposed an amendment to the agenda of this meeting for the ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty and support for Trinidad and Tobago’s CARICOM-endorsed bid to Host the Secretariat in Port of Spain.”

She said the Arms Trade Treaty provides the region with a significant component in the global fight against the trade of conventional arms in illicit markets.

To date 116 States have signed the ATT, including all CARICOM members, except Haiti.

Eleven States have ratified the Treaty thereby expressing their consent to be legally bound by its provisions. They are Iceland, Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, Nigeria, Costa Rica, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Panama and Norway.

But Prime Minister Persad Bissessar said for the ATT to come into force, Article 22 requires the signatures and early ratification by 50 signatory States so that the Treaty can come into force with the minimum of delay.

She said Mexico and Chile have already formally pledged support for Trinidad and Tobago’s CARICOM-endorsed bid to host the ATT Secretariat.

“However, among CARICOM member States, only Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada have so far ratified the ATT.

“In addition, I want to urge CARICOM member-states to prepare to participate, once more with an unified approach, in the negotiations that will ensue before and after the ATT comes into force.”
Source: Caribbean360.com – Caribbean Online Magazine (Retrieved 03/10/2014) –
http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/st_vincent_news/1107238.html#axzz2vZjwuqhO

This Go Lean book serves as a roadmap for the implementation of the CU, as a technocratic federal government to administer and optimize the economic, security and governing engines of the region’s 30 member-states. This is a viable solution to many common problems. The same problems that led to the human and capital flight that has imperiled the region, as many countries have lost large populations.

Mr. Gonsalves proclaimed that “the success of the CARICOM enterprise truly begins with the political leaderships”. To the contrary, the Go Lean roadmap proclaims that success in the region cannot commence from a “top-down” approach, the leaders are simply not equipped to devise solutions; nor can the success proceed from a “bottom-up” approach, because the common “man on the street” just does not have the answers. But rather, the road to success must emerge from a Special Interest Group of those trained, fostered and groomed specifically for this task (champions of related battles^{[b] [d]} in recent history). The book identifies this quality as technocratic and prescribes the CU as a technocracy.^[a][c]

The issue of leadership (and governance) is presented as paramount for the successful turn-around of the Caribbean dispositions; see Appendix VIDEO.

And so now is the time to stop with the status quo and forge change by implementing the Five Year roadmap advocated in the book Go Lean … Caribbean. The benefits of this plan are too tempting to ignore: emergence of an $800 Billion dollar economy, 2.2. million new jobs, new industries, services and opportunities for the youth of the Caribbean and even an invitation to the Diaspora to repatriate.

Now finally, in contrast to the CariCom reality and prospects, with the Go Lean implementations, the Caribbean region can become a better place to live, work and play for all citizens.

Download the book Go Lean … Caribbean now!

———-

Appendix VIDEO – Good Leaders -vs- Bad Leaders – https://youtu.be/TnAPe3mXOqA

Published on Jul 13, 2013 – This is a video that highlights some of the differences between a Good Leader and a Bad Leader

Category: Education
License: Standard YouTube License

———–

Appendix – Go Lean Book References

a.  Fostering a Technocracy – Page 64
b.  10 Lessons Learned from 2008 – Page 136
c.  10 Ways to Foster Genius – Page 27
d. SFE Foundation – Who We Are – Page 8

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US slams Caribbean human rights practices

Posted on March 25, 2014 in Government, Planning, Social

Go Lean Commentary

The below news article synchronizes with the book Go Lean … Caribbean in that it depicts the “hot topic” of human rights monitoring in the Caribbean region. The book declares that the people of the Caribbean have the right to good governance and the fulfillment of a presumed social contract to ensure due process, and the rule of law.

This book serves as a roadmap for the implementation of the Caribbean Union Trade Federation (CU), a technocratic federal government to administer and optimize the economic, security, and governing engines of the region’s 30 member-states. At the outset, the roadmap identified this urgent need for human rights protection, stating this clause in the Declaration of Interdependence (Page 12):

xxi. Whereas the legacy in recent times in individual states may be that of ineffectual governance with no redress to higher authority, the accedence of this Federation will ensure accountability and escalation of the human and civil rights of the people for good governance, justice assurances, due process and the rule of law. As such, any threats of a “failed state” status for any member state must enact emergency measures on behalf of the Federation to protect the human, civil and property rights of the citizens, residents, allies, trading partners, and visitors of the affected member state and the Federation as a whole.

The Go Lean roadmap projects that the CU will facilitate monitoring and accountability of the justice institutions to ensure compliance and mitigate abuses – all Police Internal Affairs and Military Justice institutions will have a federal up-line reporting – Pages 117 & 220. Consider this related article:

By: Nelson A. King
WASHINGTON DC, March 3, 2014 – While noting that governments that protect human rights and are accountable to their citizens are more secure, bolster international peace and security, and enjoy shared prosperity with stable democratic countries around the world, the United States continues to assail human rights practices in the Caribbean.

In its “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013,” released here earlier this week, Washington was particularly scathing in its criticism of Haiti, Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Bahamas.

The US Department of State said the most serious impediments to human rights in Haiti involved weak democratic governance in the earthquake-ravaged, French-speaking Caribbean country; “insufficient respect for the rule of law, exacerbated by a deficient judicial system; and chronic corruption in all branches of government.”

It said basic human rights problems included “isolated allegations of arbitrary and unlawful killings by government officials; allegations of use of force against suspects and protesters; overcrowding and poor sanitation in prisons; prolonged pre-trial detention; an inefficient, unreliable, and inconsistent judiciary; rape, other violence, and societal discrimination against women; child abuse; allegations of social marginalization of vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons; and trafficking in persons.”

The report also said that allegations “persisted of sexual exploitation and abuse by members of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Haiti (MINUSTAH).”

In addition, it said violence, crime and forced evictions within the remaining internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Haiti, which contained about 172,000 IDPs as of November, “remained a problem.”

Although the Michel Martelly administration took some steps to prosecute or punish government and law enforcement officials accused of committing abuses, the State Department said “credible reports persisted of officials engaging in corrupt practices,” and that civil society groups allege that impunity was a problem.

The report said there were isolated allegations of police and other government officials’ involvement in arbitrary or unlawful killings, some of which resulted in arrests. However, none resulted in convictions, it said.

Washington said prisoners at times were subject to “degrading treatment, in large part due to overcrowded facilities”, adding that correction officers used physical punishment and psychological abuse to mistreat prisoners.

The State Department said prisons and detention centres throughout Haiti remained overcrowded, poorly maintained and unsanitary.

In Jamaica, the most serious human rights issues were alleged unlawful security force killings; cases involving the violation of rights that were not resolved in a timely way; and poor prison and jail conditions, including abuse of detainees and prisoners and severe overcrowding. The report said other human rights issues included an “overburdened, under resourced, and ineffective judicial system, and frequent lengthy delays in trials, violence against and sexual abuse of children, violence and discrimination against women, trafficking in persons, violence against persons based on their suspected sexual orientation or gender identity, and mob violence.

“The government took steps to investigate and punish members of the security forces who committed abuses, but in many instances a lack of witnesses and insufficient forensics equipment precluded arrests or prosecutions, thus providing the appearance of impunity for police who committed crimes.

“While the government or its agents did not commit politically motivated killings, there were numerous occurrences where citizens accused the government’s security forces or its agents of committing arbitrary or unlawful killings,” the State Department said.

The report said there were 211 killings involving Jamaican police through October, and that six police officers also were killed in the line of duty during that time.

It said human rights monitors indicated that some killings by police went unreported, with police allegedly meting out the justice they believed was unavailable through the judicial system.

The State Department said violent crime remained a “serious concern” in Jamaica, adding that, on many occasions, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) “employed lethal force in apprehending criminal suspects”.

Prisons and detention centres were also “severely overcrowded and presented serious threats to life and health,” the report said.

In Guyana, it said the most serious human rights abuses involved suspects and detainees’ complaints of mistreatment by security forces, unlawful killings by police, and poor prison and jail conditions.

Other human rights problems included lengthy pre-trial detention; allegations of government corruption, including among police officials; excessive government influence over the content of the national television network and continued restrictions on radio licensing; sexual and domestic violence against women; abuse of minors; and laws that discriminate against LGBT persons.

The report said there were no independent and transparent procedures for handling allegations of killings and other abuses by security force members.

“Prosecutions when pursued were extremely lengthy, and convictions were rare, leading to a widespread perception that security force members and government officials enjoyed impunity,” it said.

The State Department said there were alleged mistreatment of inmates by prison officials, as well as allegations of police abuse of suspects and detainees.

It said prison and jail conditions were “poor and deteriorating, particularly in police holding cells,” and that overcrowding was a “severe problem”.

The report said lengthy pre-trial detention, “due primarily to judicial inefficiency, staff shortages, and cumbersome legal procedures, remained a problem,” adding that “delays and inefficiencies undermined judicial due process.”

While the law provides for criminal penalties for corruption by officials, the State Department said the Guyana government did not implement the law effectively.

“There remained a widespread public perception of corruption involving officials at all levels, including the police and the judiciary,” it said, pointing to the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators that assessed that government corruption was “a serious problem”.

The most serious human rights problems in Suriname, according to the State Department, were “widespread government corruption, reports of press intimidation, and lengthy pre-trial detention”.

Other human rights problems, it said, included self-censorship by some media organizations and journalists; societal discrimination against women, Maroons, descendants of escaped slaves who fled to the interior of the country to avoid recapture, Amerindians, and other minorities; domestic violence against women; trafficking in persons; and child labour in the informal sector.

The report said while the government continued to take steps to prosecute abusers in the security forces, in certain cases, “there was a perception of impunity among the public”.

It said human rights groups, defence attorneys and the media continued to report various instances of mistreatment by police including unnecessary use of gun violence at time of arrest and beatings while in detention, as well as isolated incidents of abuse of prisoners by prison officials.The report said prisoners continued to express concern over conditions in Santo Boma Prison, where they complained of inadequate food provisions, mistreatment by prison guards, and limited ventilation?

The State Department identified police killings during apprehension or while in custody, and poor treatment of suspects, detainees and prisoners as the most serious human rights problems in Trinidad and Tobago.

It said other human rights problems involved inmate illnesses and injuries due to poor prison conditions, a slow judicial system, high-profile cases of alleged bribery, violence and discrimination against women, and inadequate services for vulnerable children.

The report noted that, while the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration took some steps to punish security force members and other officials charged with killings or other abuse, “there continued to be a perception of impunity based on the open-ended nature of many investigations and the generally slow pace of criminal judicial proceedings”.

It said the People’s Partnership government or its agents did not commit any politically-motivated killings; but, according to official figures, police shot and killed 21 persons through November 1, compared with 21 in all of 2012.

The State Department said there were “credible reports” that police officers and prison guards mistreated individuals under arrest or in detention, stating that, from 2005 through 2012, “the government paid or was found liable to pay more than 10 million Trinidad and Tobago dollars (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents) in compensation to prisoners on claims of excessive use of force by prison officers”.

The report said conditions in some of the prison system’s eight facilities continued to be harsh.

Police abuse, detainee abuse, compounded by problems in processing them, a poorly functioning judicial system leading to delays in trial, and witness intimidation, were the most serious human rights problems in the Bahamas, according to the report.

It said other human rights problems included poor detention conditions; corruption; violence and discrimination against women; sexual abuse of children; and discrimination based on ethnic descent, sexual orientation, or HIV status.

The State Department said prison and detention centre conditions “generally failed to meet international standards,” noting that conditions at the Fox Hill Prison, the country’s only prison, “remained harsh and unsanitary for many prisoners”.

The report said Bahamian authorities detained irregular immigrants, primarily Haitians, until arrangements could be made for them to leave the country or they obtained legal status.

It said the average length of detention varied significantly by nationality, willingness of governments to accept their nationals back in a timely manner, and availability of funds to pay for repatriation.

The report said authorities usually repatriated Haitians within one to two weeks, while they held Cubans for much longer periods.

It said the Bahamian government has “not effectively implemented laws and policies to provide certain habitual residents the opportunity to gain nationality in a timely manner and on a non-discriminatory basis,” adding that some commentators believed that these restrictions particularly targeted Haitians resident in the country.

In an immediate response, Nassau said that the report was now being reviewed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“From what has been seen so far, there is no need for any alarm or undue concern. In a free and open society like ours, anyone is free to comment and investigate the human rights record of our country and we do not fear such an examination,” the government said in a statement.

It said it would “take note of any errors or overreaches in the report and it will have to be determined to what extent we address those issues”.

In St Lucia, the State Department said the most serious human rights problems included long delays in investigating reports of unlawful police killings, abuse of suspects and prisoners by the police, and continued postponements of trials and sentencing.

Other human rights problems included violence against women, child abuse, and discrimination against persons based on their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Although the government took some steps to prosecute officials and employees who committed abuses, the procedure for investigating police officers was lengthy, cumbersome, and often inconclusive,” the State Department said.

“When the rare cases reached trial years later, juries often acquitted, leaving an appearance of de facto impunity,” it added.

The State Department said the Dean Barrow administration in Belize “failed at times to maintain effective control over the security forces,” stating that security forces allegedly committed human rights abuses.

It said the most important human rights abuses included the use of excessive force by security forces, lengthy pre-trial detention, and harassment and threats based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Other human rights problems comprised domestic violence, discrimination against women, sexual abuse of children, trafficking in persons, and child labour.

In Antigua and Barbuda, the State Department said the most serious human rights problems involved poor prison conditions and violence against women.

Other human rights problems included trial delays resulting from court backlogs and reports of mental, physical, and sexual abuse of children. There were also laws that discriminate against LGBT persons.

The report said the Baldwin Spencer administration took steps to prosecute and punish those who committed human rights abuses, and that impunity was not a widespread problem.

Poor prison conditions, politicization of the police force, discrimination and violence against women, and child abuse topped the list for human rights abuses in St. Kitts and Nevis, according to the report.

Discrimination against the LGBT community was the other human rights problem, it claimed.

Occasional police use of excessive force and gender- based violence were the most serious human rights problems in St Vincent and the Grenadines, according to the State Department.

It said other human rights problems included official corruption, lack of government transparency, discrimination, and child abuse.

“The government took steps to punish officials who committed abuses, and there was not a widespread perception of impunity for security force members,” the report said.

The most serious human rights problems in Barbados were “unprofessional conduct” by police, violence against women, and discrimination against LGBT individuals, according to the report, adding that other human rights problems included child abuse.

The State Department said domestic violence against women and children were the most serious human rights problem in Dominica.

It said other human rights problems included adverse conditions experienced by the indigenous Kalinago (Carib) population and laws that discriminate against LGBT persons.

Human rights problems in Grenada included poor prison conditions, violence against women, instances of child abuse, and laws that discriminate against LGBT persons, the report said.
Source: Caribbean360.com – Caribbean Online Magazine (Retrieved 03/10/2014) – http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/1107173.html#axzz2vZjwuO

The foregoing article highlights another example of the United States meddling/voicing opinions about issues in other countries, while they themselves have less than a stellar human rights record on this subject. Consider that the State Department’s report many times cited prison conditions in the Caribbean states. This is classic “pot calling kettle black” – the US has the highest incarceration rate in the world^[a]. What’s worse is the fact that 60% of the US prison population is Black or Hispanic^[b]; even though non-whites only committed 30.7% of the crimes^[c]. Obviously justice in the US is dependent on the access to money. Where is the Human Rights outcries there?!

But it is what it is! Despite the hyprocrisy of the messenger, the message still has legitimacy; we do have issues in the Caribbean that need addressing. Basic Human Rights are being violated in the region, arbitrary and unlawful killings by government officials, poor sanitation in prisons and prolonged pre-trial detention. The Go Lean roadmap posits that any economic optimization effort must be accompanied by a strenuous security agenda, or “bad actors” will emerge. As such, the book presents the CU solution of marshaling economic crimes, and deploying a Prison Industrial complex to build over-sized facilities to house the region’s inmates and capitalize on opportunities to service shortcomings of foreign countries, like the US.

The CU solutions are designed to make the Caribbean a better place to live, work and play. Though the roadmap starts with an economic focus, it also facilitates the Human Rights protections for all members of our society: good or bad; as pilloried in the nursery rhyme: “rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief; doctor, lawyer, Indian Chief”.

Download the book Go Lean … Caribbean – now!

———-

Appendix – References:

a. International Centre for Prison Studies (18 Mar 2010). “Prison Brief – Highest to Lowest Rates”. World Prison Brief. London: King’s College London School of Law. Archived from (http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/law/research/icps/worldbrief/wpb_stats.php?area=all&category=wb_poprate) on 25 March 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2011.

b. Office of Justice Programs – US Department of Justice – Prison Inmates at Midyear 2009 – Statistical Tables – Retrieved on March 11, 2013 from: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/pim09st.pdf

c. US Federal Bureau of Investigations – Crime in the United States, 2012 Arrests by Race”. Table 43– Retrieved on March 11, 2014 from: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2012/crime-in-the-u.s.-2012/tables/43tabledatadecoverviewpdf

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Connery says Scottish independence a chance ‘too good to miss’

Posted on March 24, 2014 in Government, Implementation, Strategy, Tactical

Go Lean Commentary

A big star in the world of movies is asking for consideration in an area outside his sphere of influence: independence of his homeland. We have seen this movie before; same script, different cast!

Sir Sean Connery’s plea is similar to many other prominent people that had expatriated to a different country, awaiting more favorable conditions in their beloved homeland. (Charlize Theron from South America, Wyclif Jean from Haiti and Oscar De La Renta from the Dominican Republic). This is also the fate of so many of the Caribbean Diaspora. These ones love their country, but live abroad; they want conditions to be different (better) in their homelands to consider any repatriation.

London (AFP)

James Bond star Sean Connery urged his fellow Scots on Sunday to vote for independence in their referendum later this year, saying it was an opportunity “too good to miss”.

The 83-year-old actor, one of the most high-profile backers of the Scottish National Party’s campaign for a ‘yes’ vote in September, said independence would raise Scotland’s profile.

This could encourage more investment in the Scottish film sector and lead to the “international promotion of Scotland as an iconic location”, Connery wrote in the Sun on Sunday newspaper.

Connery, the star of 007 movies such as “Goldfinger” and “Dr No”, was born in Scotland but has not lived there for years, instead spending his time in Spain, the Bahamas and New York.

In 2003, he said he would not return until Scotland broke with the rest of the United Kingdom.

“I fully respect the choice facing Scotland in September is a matter for the people who choose to work and live there — that’s only right,” said the actor.

“But as a Scot with a lifelong love of Scotland and the arts, I believe the opportunity of independence is too good to miss.”

He added: “A Yes vote will capture the world’s attention. There will be a renewed focus on our culture and politics, giving us an unparalleled opportunity to promote our heritage and creative excellence.”

A YouGov poll published on Saturday found 53 percent of Scots want to stay part of the United Kingdom, compared to 35 percent who think Scotland should be an independent country.

http://news.yahoo.com/connery-says-scottish-independence-chance-too-good-miss-003358875.html

Yes, the plea of Sir Connery is parallel and similar to that of the Go Lean … Caribbean book, a roadmap for the introduction and implementation of the Caribbean Union Trade Federation (CU), a technocratic federal government to administer and optimize the economic, security, and governing engines of the 30 member Caribbean states. The same as Sir Connery pledged to not return until Scotland breaks with the UK, many Caribbean Diaspora have pledged not to return (for permanent residency) until their homeland breaks from their current ineffectual systems of governance, failing economic engines and inadequate security provisions.

There is a lot of history associated with both issues: Scotland and the CU. Sir Connery is advocating for Scotland’s independence. This has been a familiar call for centuries. This is life imitating art and art imitating life. The call for Scottish independence was the theme of the 1995 movie Braveheart, about Scottish Revolutionary William Wallace (played by Academiy Award winner Mel Gibson). In addition, the 2006 movie “The Last King of Scotland”, had that goal as a secondary theme. That despite the many failed attempts of Scotland to wrest independence from England, the country of Uganda under dictator Idi Amin (played by Academy Award winner Forrest Whitaker) was successful at gaining their independence from the same imperial masters. A line in that movie stated “maybe Amin should become King of Scotland because he knows how to wrestle independence from England”. Now, today, another Hollywood icon champions the same plea and revolutionary quest for his beloved Scotland.

Scotland has been “rocked” by the recent global financial crisis; they posit that London’s oversight of their economic interest has been flawed and shortsighted. But their demand today is different than for prior attempts in prior centuries. They now want a democratic solution, a referendum to secede Scotland from the United Kingdom. Then Scotland would join and become the 29th member-state of the European Union (EU) and 19th member of the Eurozone Monetary Union. Aligning with the success of the EU would make this petition feasible and logical. According to recent polling, so far the referendum is not favored.

There are a lot of lessons in this issue for the Caribbean. Despite Scotland’s demand for independence, their plan is not to “go at it alone, rather immediately confederate with the EU. This makes the referendum a demand for interdependence with the rest of Europe. The people of Scotland feel that aligning with the EU and submitting to the technocratic European Central Bank would be preferred to the failed economic and monetary policies from London. The underlying spirit behind this Scottish Independence movement is a quest to “appoint new guards” to make their homeland a better place to live, work and play.

The Caribbean’s quest for interdependence is similar; with this statement in the opening Declaration of Interdependence at the outset of the Go Lean book (Page 12):

xi. Whereas all men are entitled to the benefits of good governance in a free society, “new guards” must be enacted to dissuade the emergence of incompetence, corruption, nepotism and cronyism at the peril of the people’s best interest. The Federation must guarantee the executions of a social contract between government and the governed.

The Go Lean roadmap posits that the global financial crisis lingers to this day and trumpets that “a crisis is a terrible thing to waste”. Just like Sir Connery’s egging for Scotland, we in the Caribbean want our homeland to be a better place to live, work and play. The best hope for this outcome though is to confederate into the CU, an EU model, whereby real solutions can be forged, availing benefits like creating 2.2 million jobs across the integrated market of 42 million people and $800 Billion of GDP.

🙂

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Foreign Policy, Model

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CARCIP Urges Greater Innovation

Posted on March 24, 2014 in Ethos, Government, Planning, Strategy

Go Lean Commentary

The forgoing article touches on a critical mission and motivation of the Caribbean Union Trade Federation (CU): to forge change and avail the benefits of advanced technologies in the region. The book, Go Lean … Caribbean, which serves as a roadmap for implementing the Caribbean Union Trade Federation (CU) commences with a Declaration of Interdependence. In Verse XXVII (Page 14) it pronounces:

Whereas the region has endured a spectator status during the Industrial Revolution, we cannot stand on the sidelines of this new economy, the Information Revolution. Rather, the Federation must embrace all the tenets of Internet Communications Technology (ICT) to serve as an equalizing element in competition with the rest of the world. The Federation must bridge the digital divide and promote the community ethos that research/development is valuable and must be promoted and incentivized for adoption.

There is a business mantra that declares “build a better mouse trap and the world will beat a path to your door”. This is even more true in this internet age. Websites and internet applications can be hosted and serviced from anywhere on the planet. “Size does not matter” in this internet age; insight, intelligence, innovation and ingenuity matter more. See related story here:

By the Caribbean Journal Staff

Three Eastern Caribbean countries are benefiting from an infrastructure development thrust that could usher in a new era of technology-based innovation and entrepreneurship for the region.

The initiative is part of the World Bank-funded Caribbean Communications Infrastructure Program (CARCIP), coordinated by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU).

A series of workshops rolling out in St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenada are intended to ensure that citizens can take full advantage of the telecommunications infrastructure upgrades.

The series aims to encourage greater innovation in the public and private sector across the Caribbean.

The inaugural workshop, which took place Feb. 10-11 at Gros Islet, St Lucia, brought together some of the region’s leading minds in the fields of entrepreneurship, information and communications technology, leadership development and innovation.

Hosted by the St Lucian Ministry of the Public Service, Information and Broadcasting, the workshop set out to stimulate new approaches to national [nation building] through the application of modern technology and new ways of thinking.

“In reality, the potential exists today to overcome the many challenges in the region,” said technology expert Bevil Wooding, the event’s keynote speaker. “What we face is more a challenge of leadership paradigm than of technical possibility.”

Wooding, who is an Internet strategist with US-based Packet Clearing House, said the challenge was “to define and articulate a clear set of actionable priorities. These must be based on our native strengths and shaped to match a properly resourced vision for development.”

The CARCIP Innovation series rolls into Saint Vincent on February 26th and 27th, with a third installment scheduled for Grenada at the end of March 2014.
Source: Caribbean Journal Online News Source (Retrieved 02/26/2014 from http://www.caribjournal.com/2014/02/26/caribbean-connectivity-carcip-urges-greater-regional-innovation/)

The Go Lean roadmap posits that we, in the Caribbean, must also contribute to the world-wide progress of the world-wide web. As such, there are direct advocacies in the book to foster technology (Page 197), bridge the digital divide (Page 31), promote intellectual property (Page 29), foster electronic commerce (Page 198), implement data centers (Page 106), impact social media (Page 111), and promote call centers (Page 212). (Notice the job creation leanings).

In Year 1 of the Five Year roadmap, the CU will “assemble” (consolidate) the organs and agencies of the CariCom, including the CTU (see Appendix), into the Trade Federation’s cabinet structure. Thus allowing the necessary funding and focus to fulfill this agency’s charter. Under the Go Lean roadmap, this charter is more than just a series of workshops, but also these deliverables:

The CU mission is to protect the prospects for our youth, assuage more brain drain & human flight, and promote opportunities here in the region. Education is a big part of this mission. A previous strategy of study-aboard has failed the region – students have not always returned – see Anecdote # 5 (Page 38). The CU must therefore expand educational opportunities locally at home, impact the secondary (charter) & tertiary institutions, and facilitate e-Learning modes & schemes. The telecommunication infra-structure upgrade, described in the foregoing article, allows the Go Lean roadmap to be fully implemented, thus impacting education and entrepreneurism. The CU will foster incubators and cooperatives to forge business opportunities from the elevation of society’s consumption of ICT.

The efforts depicted in the foregoing article regarding the CTU, and the manifesto proclaimed in the book, dovetails with the dreams of the youth of the Caribbean, to facilitate a climate for future possibilities. As a region, we have lost too many young people. What we need now is growth: growth in the economic engines, cultural institutions, security apparatuses and governing provisions. Without this growth, we lose the future contributions of these young people; we would only have developed them to make an impact to some foreign society – we would have “fattened frogs for snake”.

Download the Book- Go Lean…Caribbean Now!!!

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Appendix – Caribbean Telecommunications Union

An intergovernmental organization dedicated to facilitating the development of the regional telecommunications sector. On 28 April 1989, the Governments of the member-states of the Caribbean Community (CariCom) established by Treaty of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) to rationalize the telecommunications policy framework for the region and to address the problems of regional spectrum frequency incompatibilities.

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CariCom, ICT

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10 Things We Want from the US and 10 Things We Don’t Want from the US

Posted on March 24, 2014 in Economics, Government, Social, Tactical

Go Lean Commentary

There are things we, in the Caribbean want, and things we do not want from the United States of America. Here is a laundry list of the Good and the Bad and how the roadmap to elevate Caribbean society, the book Go Lean…Caribbean, describes how the lessons will be applied in the implementation of the Caribbean Union Trade Federation (CU):

American Imports

*10 GOOD* Things We Want from the US**		*10 BAD* Things We Don’t Want from the US**
1	Free Market *– In pursuit of the American Dream* 100 years ago there was great debate in terms of the best governmental system for mankind: communism or capitalism. After 75 more years, that debate was over! Communism had proven ineffectual. Free Market capitalism as exercised in the US, in pursuit of the American Dream to elevate one’s standing in life, is what the Caribbean region needs, wants and deserves. The Go Lean* roadmap extols a Caribbean dream; that in addition to synchronizes with the American version also has additional advocacies like repatriation to the islands.*	Strategic Interest Prioritization – Or Lack There of The US is now the only remaining super power, but they only exert their “muscles” when their own strategic interests are involved. So after the promise of “never again”, after the Nazi Holocaust, the world found the US “sitting idle” as other genocides/ethnic cleansings transpired, as in Cambodia, Bosnia and Rwanda. Why this inaction? Simple: there was no strategic US interest. The Go Lean* roadmap advocates that despite the two US Territories (Puerto Rico & USVI), the Caribbean must forge law-and-order and plan/allow for its own priorities.*
2	Tourists Tourism is still the primary economic driver for the Caribbean region. While there is a lot of competition in the domestic US and internationally, the Caribbean continues to make the case that its region is the best tourist destination in the world. The region wants to continue to appeal to Americans of all demographic persuasions to come visit the islands for stay-overs (land-based hotels) and/or cruise ships. We want to forge vacation options and traffic for the upper, middle and lower classes of American society. The CU forges plans, advocacies and re-boots to further enhance the Caribbean tourism product array.	Partisan Politics In 2013, the US Government almost came to a grinding halt on two occasions; due to an impasse in raising the sovereign debt limit and a failure to pass a budget by the end of the fiscal year. The reason for these failures in delivering governmental obligations was partisan politics. Factions in the Republican Party were determined not to give in to the continuation of certain Democratic Party policies. These polar oppositions preferred to default on debt payments or shut down the government than to compromise from their positions. The Go Lean* roadmap dictates certain automatic provisions (budgets) to assuage legislative deadlocks.*
3	Capital There are many Financial Centers around the world (London, Zurich, Hong Kong, etc.) but none with the liquidity like Wall Street. They have the capital the Caribbean needs for Direct Foreign Investments. After the 2008 Financial Crisis, the US Federal Reserve Banks have maintained a policy of flooding the money supply to keep the cost of capital (borrowing) low. The Go Lean roadmap calls for the emergence of the Caribbean Dollar (C$) managed by a technocratic Caribbean Central Bank. This structure allows for more liquidity in the existing stock exchanges in the regions. A strong regional currency will also mitigate primary cause for prior emigration.	Quantitative Easing – De-Americanize World Money It’s a standard accepted practice not to overstate the money supply and that this practice results in de-valuing currencies. But the US feels that this policy does not apply to them. To offset the 2008 Credit Crunch, the Federal Reserve instituted a policy of Quantitative Easing and set the Discount Rate to near zero so that banks could get access to almost-free Central Bank money. The end result now is that the Euro, which started in 1999 pegged E$1.17-to-1 with the US dollar, now trades for at E$1.36. Imagine a savings account established in 1999 losing 19% of value just sitting idle. The C$ plan is modeled on the Euro.
4	Pax Americana Pax Americana is not a “de jure” policy of the US government, but rather a “de facto” policy. The spirit of the Monroe Doctrine is still imbued in US foreign policy. This implies that any European aggression in the Americas is an affront to the US. Practically, the US strong military ensures peace in the region. There is no need for massive military output by Caribbean states. The CU roadmap includes Cuba into the brotherhood of a Caribbean Confederacy. Previous expressions of Pax Americana have resulted in a trade embargo for Cuba.	2^nd Amendment The “right to bear arms” has a personal application beyond the country’s entitlement to maintain a militia. This “right” has been interpreted in a manner in which any normal “man” can get possession of guns and other armament. This proliferation of guns in society results in the highest rate of gun violence in the world, even an unconscionable rate of school shootings. The Go Lean roadmap purports that this status has also caused discord – a gross abuse and availability of illegal guns – in bordering communities of Mexico, and Caribbean states of the Bahamas, and the DR. This propels our gun-related crime.
5	Intelligence Gathering After the September 11 Terrorist attacks the US ramped up its deployment of Intelligence Gathering capabilities. These systems allow for more predictive modeling and better tracking of suspects and threats. The CU maintains the example of the investigation of the April 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings region – arrests were made in 48 hours – is a successful model to copy.	Privacy Violations In the name of security, the US surveillance apparatus has been heavy-handed. They have even eavesdropped on phone calls for foreign heads of states visiting the UN, without search warrants from official courts. (One report and confession found the US spying on the Bahamas). The average law-abiding citizen should not have to worry about an over-reaching security watch dog. The CU envisions a balanced Intelligence Gathering goal.
6	Crime Watch Initiatives “If you see something, say something” – is the mantra of the crime and terror awareness movement in the US. This involves the verticals from crime watch to public CATV. The Go Lean* roadmap provides comprehensive anti-crime and anti-terror measures, both the systems, personnel and funding to effectuate this change.*	Criminal Organizations – RECO The US is the single largest economy in the world. As a result of this success, “bad actors” have also emerged. The CU recognizes that the history of US organized criminal organizations running rampart in Cuba is a risk to be mitigated for future Caribbean societies. The roadmap is to monitor and assuage all enterprise criminal activities.

American Imports (cont’d)

10 Things We Want from the US		10 Things We Don’t Want from the US
7	Melting Pot Societies The Latin term “E pluribus unum” or “Out of many, one”is a phrase on the official Seal of the United States. Though this was never codified by law, this phrase is a de facto motto of the US. This corresponds with actual history as immigration was always a constant feature. The US always benefited with empowering immigrants impacting the economic engines of the country. There are many industries where the “best of the best” try to work their way to the US; consider the broad examples of Wall Street or Hollywood and the specific example of German aero-space engineer Wernher von Braun, who inspired & aided US Space efforts and the quest for a man on the Moon. The CU represent 30 member-states and 4 languages so any hope for a successful union depends of successful “melting pots” in our region.	Discrimination of Immigrants Hazing and discrimination seem to have been a rite of passage for every immigrant group’s experience as they have emerged in the US. This was the experience for the Irish, Italian, Jewish, Puerto Rico, Cuban, and other communities, no matter the time frame (1800’s, 1900’s and 2000’s). Why should hazing be experienced, when there is economic value to immigrant populations? The CU posits that empowering immigrants should be invited and accommodated; the local communities should plan and facilitate the impact of changes: language translations, Diaspora retailing and cultural sensitivity training. There is also the inevitable refugee inclusion that all successful societies must allow for, though not planned nor invited. These can be distributed among the region.
8	Family Holiday Re-unification The busiest travel day of the year in the US is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving; the 2^nd busiest day is the following Sunday. Obviously American families place a high priority on coming together for holiday festivities. Though not as extreme, this pattern is repeated for other holidays like Christmas, Easter and family reunions. The CU advocates “push and pull” factors of family reunification throughout the Go Lean* roadmap. Plus, the transportation solutions enable more easy access.*	Family Abandonment Senior Living Facilities are a big industry in the US. This is due to the family habit of abandoning elderly parents to the care of professional strangers. The Caribbean way traditionally is to house their Senior Citizens with families, whether the economics apply or not. The CU has a prime directive to encourage repatriation back to the Caribbean homeland and assuage societal abandonment. Frankly, senior citizens should avoid the cold climates of North American and EU Diaspora cities.
9	Media Arts – Film, TV, Stage, Music, e-Games While prospects for many traditional 20^th Century industries (factories, auto, steel, mining) have declined in the US due to the competitive imbalance of globalization, media continues to flourish. In 2011 the global box office amassed $32.6 billion in revenues. Hollywood continues to be a growing and impactful economic engine. Broadway saw $11.2 billion that year, while music and other media continued to enjoy strong numbers. US Media Arts have become more than just past-time, it’s a sustainable lifestyle. The CU roadmap posits that art and music can drive big economic returns as long as the complete eco-system is there to identify, foster & compensate stakeholders.	Cultural Neutralizations – Domination of airwaves There are other cultures than just American. If not abated, the American media will dominate and neutralize the airwaves. Caribbean culture should be preserved and promoted. With American media comes American values, and these may not always advocate what’s best for Caribbean life. Consider consumerism, proliferation of guns and drugs, societal abandonment, language assimilation and other social ills. The CU roadmap makes comparison to cultural protectionism as employed in France versus the free market approach in the US. While France doesn’t lead many of the world’s media output, they have maintained their unique culture. This propels their tourism – 25 million visitors to Paris.
10	Sports Professionalism The American leagues for Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Soccer and even their Olympic models inspire athletes that they can earn a living based on their talents, disciplines and abilities. There are many levels for the American sports world, so even if money is not the object, other benefits, like educational scholarships and civic pride, can often provide positive impacts on society. The quadrennial Olympics are more successful today because of the Americanization of the business models of these events; which is heavy on media, sponsorships and free-market ticket sales. The Go Lean* roadmap includes a comprehensive sport promotion and administration apparatus within the CU Cabinet level State Department.*	Win at all costs ethic There is a worldwide movement to curb the sport world of performance enhancing drugs. Many of the recent advances in the “outlaw” industry have emerged from the US (i.e. BALCO, HGH, PEDS, etc.). This scourge is part of the “win at all costs” ethos that American sports seem to foster. This attitude also relates to the treatment of the retired athletes; this refers to the abandonment of expended athletes, once they are perceived to offer no further contributions. The Go Lean roadmap calls for rebooting sports administration, including the establishment of an Anti-Doping agency within the CU Trade Federation to elevate regulation and enforcement to the federal level. Other benefits of the regional focus will include better oversight of sports academies, agents and leagues.

A large number of Caribbean people live abroad, in the Diaspora. They live in places like the US, Canada, the UK and Europe. This commentary is Part 1 of 4 in a series examining the destinations of this Caribbean Diaspora. The full series is as follows:

10 Things We Want from the US and 10 Things We Do Not Want
10 Things We Want from Canada and 10 Things We Do Not Want
10 Things We Want from the UK and 10 Things We Do Not Want
10 Things We Want from Europe and 10 Things We Do Not Want

Everyone is urged to lean-in to the roadmap to introduce and implement the Caribbean Union Trade Federation (CU).

Download the book Go Lean … Caribbean – now!

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Banks, Foreign Policy, Model, Security, Seniors, Sports

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John McPhee – LCD versus an Entrepreneurial Ethos

Posted on March 21, 2014 in Government, Industries, Social, Strategy

Go Lean Commentary

The book Go Lean … Caribbean is more than just a publication, it is a movement. This movement is designed to elevate the Caribbean’s economic, security and governing engines. The book serves as roadmap for the introduction and implementation for the Caribbean Union Trade Federation (CU). As such, we are proud to feature role models – institutions, companies and individuals – that extoll the values, community ethos, that we hold dear. This role model, John McPhee, is a prime example.

Among the many community ethos, strategies, tactics, implementation and advocacies in the book is the proposal for the consolidation and integration of the region’s Taxi & Limousine Regulatory Commissions. The book posits that many of the initiatives envisioned for the region are too big an undertaking for any one Caribbean member-state alone; therefore the roadmap call for this functionality to be consolidated and integrated into CU oversight.

John McPhee is on the frontline of Bahamian tourism – he is a taxi driver. But to call him just a taxi driver would be an insult; it would expose a blatant ignorance. John McPhee is the anti-taxi driver; he “zigs” while everyone else “zags”. The industry for taxi drivers is based on the Lowest Common Denominator (LCD); John, on the other hand, rises above the fray, he stands out like a stalk of wheat in a field of weeds. He drives a Chrysler Town & Country mini-van for its roominess, durability and fuel efficiency. (The is the same vehicle class as the Nissan NV200 depicted in Appendix-VIDEO below and on Page 328 of the Go Lean book).

Mr. McPhee also accepts credit cards. This is an anomaly among taxi drivers in the Bahamas.

Lastly, he arranges appointments and delivers on schedule. He is the walking embodiment of the vision for the Caribbean Union’s Taxi & Limousine Commission.

John McPhee delivers on a business model that can be profitable, efficient, and effective (as frontline ambassadors) for forging change in a region too accustomed to the status quo (failure); a region with governmental policies designed to benefit the LCD and thus they miss out on victories that one champion can achieve. This is the winning model of both the industrial and information revolutions, where individuals, entrepreneurs and industrialists transformed society with their innovations. John McPhee represents that new corps of Caribbean entrepreneurs.

In a person-to-person interview, recorded in the Go Lean book at Page 39, these were his responses:

What are the details of your project?

A Cashless Payment System for Taxi Cabs. This will allow for passengers to pay their fare by means of any major credit/debit cards. Considering the reality of The Bahamas where many citizens, even in the middle class, do not possess credit cards, the target market will be tourists, and the corporate sector. This service should empower taxi drivers to have a competitive advantage over their peers. This project’s goal is to have 50 cars within a fleet, and to provide all of their dispatch services.

Who are the competitors of this service?

There is the Bahamas Taxi Union, a cooperative among individual taxi drivers. Then there are other private entities like H. Forbes Charters and other similar companies.

Why did you not leave, like the many before you?

The Bahamas can still be a land of opportunity. This is what the people here deserve. This is a small country, I should be a big fish in this small pond, but I’m not. If I’m not the head-of-the class here, how can I expect to succeed as a small fish in a big pond somewhere else. So I do not intend to leave.

How do you feel about Bahamian/Caribbean Security?

A lot is lacking here. All citizens can easily be in danger of the pervasive crime and violence.

How do you feel about Bahamian/Caribbean Economy?

Even more is lacking. This country is not suited to encourage entrepreneurism. Economic growth is only going to come from the private sector, not the government. For the private sector to flourish there must be the appropriate structure, incentives and economic drivers. These ingredients are not here now. For my project, I had to sue the government agency (Taxi Commission) to force their hand in doing the right thing. The governing principle used here follows the policy of egalitarianism. This sounds good on paper, equal opportunity for all, but in practice, it’s a disservice for job creation. Catering to the LCD sets the bar low. Excellence does not emerge from that.

What areas are you most disappointed in when considering the last 20 years?

There is a trend towards social equality, which is good if the equal status is a high standard of living and high moral fortitude. But instead, there seems to be a steady decline in all aspects of Bahamian life in which we are all becoming equally mediocre, inadequate. This indicates a fault in leadership; there is a lack of vision and no plan to elevate, if not for all the people, then at least for an achiever class.

What do you want to see in The Bahamas in … 5 years?

Turn-around from the current path, otherwise there will be a collapse of the middle class.

What do you want to see in The Bahamas in … 10 years?

All societies must innovate, or be overrun with innovations from abroad. If the current trend continues, there will be a disenfranchisement of Bahamians in their own country.

What do you want to see in The Bahamas in … 20 years?

I want to see a social and political revolution; the status quo cannot continue. While a revolution denote a quick sudden change, perhaps an evolution (slow, steady and consistent) is better. But we must start now, by first abandoning these LCD policies and expectations.

What features of North American/Europe would you like to see here?

In addition to a NATO-like force, the Caribbean should be more connected/integrated; there should be a central trading/purchasing entity to represent the entire region.

Where do you consider to be the best place to live?

Canada. They seem open to growth, inviting foreign nationals. There is a common language – but respect for minorities – and plenty of opportunities in the areas that entrepreneurs seek.

How would you feel if your children emigrate?

Being a husband and father, I fear that my son will one day leave. He will need such a move to soar in his endeavors. If that happens, while we will miss him, we will simply accept and support him.

Download the book Go Lean … Caribbean – now!

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Appendix – VIDEO: New York Proclaims “Hail Yes!” as First Nissan NV200 Taxicab Hits the Streets of Manhattan – https://youtu.be/za1xO3WcnQs

Published on Oct 29, 2013 – NEW YORK (October 29, 2013) — A new era in public transportation has begun with the Nissan NV200 taxi now in service on the streets of New York City. The meter on the first NV200 taxi fare officially kicked-off at JFK International Airport on October 23, dropping its inaugural passenger near 13th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan. Mr. Ranjit Singh, an owner/operator of Medallion No. 7F20, took delivery of his NV200 taxi from Koeppel Nissan in Queens on October 18.
AMC131029102.

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Bahamas, Canada, Model, Poverty, Tourism

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6.5M Earthquake Shakes Eastern Caribbean

Posted on March 13, 2014 in Ethos, Government, Locations, Planning, Strategy

Go Lean Caribbean

The below news article highlights the regional threat of the active fault line (the Lesser Antilles subduction zone, also known for volcanoes) in the Eastern Caribbean basin. Notice that the countries affected are of American, Dutch, English and French legacies. In addition, there has been a number of small quakes in Puerto Rico in the last month.

Without a doubt, the Caribbean has to be on guard for danger from seismic activities. Plus, with constant threats during the annual hurricane season, there is a need for a full-time sentinel to monitor, mitigate and manage the risks of natural disasters in the region. This is the mandate for the Caribbean Union Trade Federation (CU). The Go Lean … Caribbean roadmap describes the CU’s prime directives as empowering the region’s economic engines, providing security assurances and preparing/responding to natural disasters.

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake northeast of Barbados caused shaking across the Eastern Caribbean early Tuesday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake, which occurred 172 kilometres |northeast of Barbados, struck at around 5:27 AM local time.

The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre also recorded the quake as having a magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter scale. The quake was felt across the region, with weak |shaking felt as far north as Philipsburg, St Maarten and light to moderate shaking from |Martinique all the way down to Grenada.

The most reports of shaking were felt in Martinique, which was about 128 kilometres directly west of the quake’s epicentre, along with Barbados. There were not any reports of damage or injuries, although authorities in Martinique were recommending “extreme caution” in coastal areas, according to reports. Other countries that felt shaking included St Lucia, Dominica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Guadeloupe, Trinidad and even Venezuela. It was the second 6.5-magnitude earthquake in the region in just over a month, following a similarly-sized quake in near Puerto Rico in January.

It was the strongest quake in that portion of the region since 2007, when a 7.3-magnitude quake struck near Martinique. As a point of reference, the earthquake in 2010 in Haiti was a |7.0-magnitude on the Richter scale. The 2007 Martinique quake had been the largest in the |region since a 6.9-Magnitude tremblor near Antigua in 1974.
Source: Caribbean Journal Online (Retrieved 02/18/2014) –
http://www.caribjournal.com/2014/02/18/6-5m-earthquake-shakes-eastern-caribbean-from-martinique-to-grenada/

The book details the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake as an indictment for the region’s lack of planning/response. What’s more the book, as a roadmap, posits that there is the threat of even more earthquakes along the Enriquillo fault line.

Earthquakes are Mother Nature’s fury 100%; there is no way to prevent them, only plan for their eventuality. Unfortunately the Caribbean region has not planned accordingly, despite due warning. Despite the constant threats for disasters, we have failed! There is no integrated agency to monitor and manage these threats. Yes, there is the US Geological Services, but this agency’s American priorities may not align with the priorities of the Caribbean people as a whole.

The roadmap does implement an integrated agency. Without this implementation, the region can only beg for help. Lastly, the Go Lean roadmap advocates a 10-Step approach to outgrow the statue of a perennial beggar for International Aid. The Caribbean, by the end of this roadmap, should at last be a better place to live, work and play.

Download the free e-Book of Go Lean … Caribbean – now!

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Disaster, Security

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