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Is fuel surcharge an ‘emergency?’
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Posted on Aug 16 2005
Is the recent emergency declaration on fuel crisis a real emergency? Or was it a concoction by this administration to hide behind its colossal negligence, thus the infliction of fear to make taxpayers believe that there’s an emergency?
Dr. Webster defines emergency as “an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action.”
Is the failure of this administration to pay its utility bills of some $18 million “an unforeseen combination of circumstance?” No! After all, they have been staring at the beast in weekly Cabinet and regular CUC board meetings for nearly four years now. Had they done something proactively, taxpayers won’t be nailed to their cross of debts, half of which belongs to the government.
I don’t relish the rolling blackouts that hit villages daily nor take adolescent pride in the power crisis under Republican watch. It’s infuriating how the obvious lack of planning and filthy intra-GOP politics have culminated in adverse financial conditions for EVERYBODY! This negligence has proven very disruptive and costly in terms of daily business operations islandwide. We’ve learned how quickly our marginal profits disappear amidst assaults from other increases here, there, and everywhere.
The deepening self-inflicted crisis didn’t victimize Republican politicians now in power. But it did victimize debt-ridden taxpayers from A-Z. This failure is perfumed and gift-wrapped into shameful uncommon sense package known as the fuel surcharge. Now, we’re paying for a negligence (unpaid utility bills) of this administration. In your infinite wisdom, don’t you think we have family obligations, too? If we’ve paid our utility bills monthly, why can’t you pay yours responsibly, too?
The administration nurtured a monstrous creature it no longer can tame, financially. It reminds me of what President Reagan often said about government inefficiency on problem solving. Said he, “It’s hard to recall that you came to drain the swamp when you’re up to your armpits in alligators.” He further said that government isn’t the solution to our problems; government is the problem.
John S. DelRosario Jr.
As Gonno
