Harris At Large
April 7, 2022
BUDGET 2022 – 2023 A GREAT START IN PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST!
“We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.†– Martin Luther King, Jr.
The exuberance of this year’s Budget reflects the Government’s intention to put People first. Essential aspects of life have been given due attention. There will always be the situation where everyone’s expectations are not fully met but what is important at this time when the economy is in bad shape, is that the administration recognises the importance of taking bold steps and has made attempts to deal with the important issues.
Our Prime Minister, Honourable Philip Joseph Pierre upon his ascendancy to office went to work quietly to prepare a People’s Budget. His local support team in whom he placed his confidence responded creditably, and the results are there for all to see. It was unfortunate that the absence of the leader of the opposition Honourable Allen Chastanet in parliament brought the initial presentation of the Estimates to an abrupt end. However, we look forward to the continuing debate, and can only expect that the economy will receive the much needed fuel, and life will be restored to some degree of normalcy. Those of us who understand government’s role in energizing the economy waited with bated breath for the budget process to begin.
By the time the Budget is passed into law, St. Lucians will be enjoying their new found freedom in the way we are currently responding to COVID 19. Vaccinated persons are having the last laugh. The world is wide open to those who received the required dosages of the vaccines, and those who have taken the Booster Shot are facing the world with even greater confidence, knowing that even if they catch the virus their suffering will be minimal and they are not likely to die. Just this week senior officials of the Biden Administration were exposed to the virus and were infected. There should be no scare on their part. However, it must be of concern to the world that while most countries are pushing to open up, Shanghai, one of China’s main cities is under total lockdown as COVID 19 cases surge. How will the rest of the world respond to this?
There is no progress on the Russia, Ukraine war and all indications are that the situation can become worse. President Putin has to be stopped somehow. He is holding the world to ransom. The USA and its allies must take all necessary action to deal with the situation. President Putin must be made to have the same concerns that the free world is having. Expediency is the operative word as it relates to a few world leaders who in spite being allies are in a position to tell President Putin to back off. I join with the peace loving people of the world in extending our sympathies to the people of Ukraine.
History was made on Thursday, 7th April, 2022 as the Senate voted to appoint America’s first black female Justice to the Supreme Court. After a difficult hearing where Senate members of the GOP went out of their way to discredit and embarrass her, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson rose above the fray.
Money does matter. In spite of all the negativities that surround us in the world today, the noise is getting louder with respect to the Metaverse project in the digital space. Metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection facilitated by the use of virtual and augmented reality headsets. (Google Search). It is also referred to as “an all encompassing digital world that exists parallel to the real world.†Neal Stephenson. While it may not make sense to many of us, it is time that we start to find out what is going on? With every passing day, it is becoming very clear that the future will belong to those groups of persons who come together to look into opportunities that are opening up. The buzz is in metaverse.
Crypto Currency is continuing to dominate the thoughts of financial Gurus and investors who operate in that space. How much are we involved in this space? Bitcoin continues to be the standard and is reported in the news alongside other major currencies. It is very clear that standing on the sideline is not an option. There is also a lot of noise about Hyperverse and its enormous potential to yield substantial gains to its investors. The good news about Crypto is that governments are closing in on their operations and some regulations seem to be forthcoming in the not too distant future. Let us see the benefits in coming together and seek out the abundance of opportunities that await us.
I leave you with this African Proverb. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.†It is time to unite.
Stay Healthy, Stay Safe and be blessed.
Edward Harris
Freelance Journalist/Realtor/Business Consultant
Facebook: www.facebook.com/eaharrisdestiny
Email: eaharrisdestiny@gmail.com