Madam Prime Minister, here's some straight talk about the heavily political people's budget 2012/2013. By the way, whose people did you have in mind?

No VAT on regular food items is an established fact. People will therefore continue their normal shopping habits. Why then is it necessary for a committee to identify additional foods for the so-called list of 7,000 items. How often will the average man in the street need such items?

Are you aware that processed foods are too high in sugar and/or salt and fat and are laden with chemicals. Nutritious, they are not!

In this 21st ecologically conscious century of slow food, less pesticides, less food additives why are you unloading this garbage on the public?

The only ones who will benefit from your largesse are the importers and the losers will the the ill-advised inhabitants, local farmers and local producers. Was that really your intent? This goes against Mr Howai's stated intent of reducing the food bill by $2 billion.

Why are homes being built on prime agricultural lands? We now have to call on Guyana! The Minister was joking I hope in this new world of food and water protectionism. Prof Kenny must be shaking, in mirth or horror, I don't know which.

The agriculture ministry received even less funding than last year. What's that about? The Supermarket Association was advised to self-regulate to ensure we benefit from the VAT removal. They are not charities.They are in business to make a profit therefore such an exhortation is out of line.

Why did Mr Warner's ministry receive more funding that requested? This is just not done in a normal thinking world of budget deficits and economic stagnation. As he's your man of action, I guess that accounts for it in this little ole island state.

Regular gasoline, I'm advised, is destructive to the engines of many vehicles. Why subsidies it then? Premium unleaded was the least subsidised and also eco-friendly. The highest subsidised fuel, super unleaded should have been increased as well.

Allow everyone to feel it and level the playing field.

But then again, those nasty, rich 6 per cent people taking food out of..., oops I meant, taking advantage with their Audis, BMWs, Nissans, Mitsubishis have to be seen to be punished for their audacity to drive such luxury vehicles, mustn't they.

The supercilious expression on your face when you uttered those words spoke volumes. Why are you pushing people's buttons, Madam?

There is no justification for maxi and taxi drivers to increase fares, you stated. Really?!

Foreign used tyres were hit with a 30 per cent VAT increase and it's mainly taxis and maxi taxis that use them.

Madam, you have the unfortunate habit of pronouncing on technical matters then being obliged to clarify earlier statements (taking a 6 for a 9). Kindly utilise the technocrats and your official spokespersons. They receive taxpayers dollars for that purpose.

Also do advise Mr Howai to remain within his purview and avoid making gratuitous statements about security and projecting crime statistics.

Why is the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, and the Parliamentary Channel being starved for funds? Curtailing the public's access to information will only make them, and me, more determined to address issues of the day.

I have seen nothing austere about this budget. While I love educational opportunities, why is so much money being spent on new campuses now. Fix what is broken before embarking on new projects is much more sensible.

This budget feels like an electioneering ploy but the UNC-led government won the election on 24 May 2010.

Favouring the gimme gimme gang is an obstacle to growth and must be abolished. A government is not here to be loved. It is elected to make decisions in the best interest of the country and ALL its people. Appeasing the masses with rum, roti and processed foods is a step backward and we will all pay hell for it.

Catherine Hidalgo

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