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**Yogi Bear** » 2012-07-17 13:51

They hand delivered three top Gaming owners to the US Government.
Two were arrested, one was not.

Had the ALP said NO to the US Government – Instead of setting up a slush fund to cover legal fees for their colleagues, the Gaming owners could have added funds from that slush fund to the other slush fund they created to fight the US Governments new laws.

By the time UPP was in power George W. Bush was already convinced by Vegas owners they were losing out on earnings and in turn the US Government on taxes and had acted. Obama sees it different, but will now be perplexed by Stanford so, back to the back burner we go.

That said: I agree that the UPP can't seem to tell which side is up even where arrows are provided.

Regarding this closing company: They may have done all the things you said, but they did something the average business shutting down in Antigua NEVER does:

1) Everyone got proper notice
2) Everyone got SERVERANCE PAY!!! (not a promise; a cheque!)

**Yogi Bear** » 2012-07-17 13:44

I am sorry – The US Gaming Laws are the main reason for the fail of this industry – Not the current government.

If memory serves me right – And it does because I personally was forced to migrate as a result – ALP was still in power when the Gaming industry started it’s down hill spiral.

Three Gaming companies were petering on the edge of closure 1999/2000.
For those who don’t know – Three closing then, meant the end.

The fall of the Gaming industry started when ALP gave up owners of the Gaming industry to the US Government. They took their donations for the coming election, then opened the door and let the FBI in. You may wonder how I know – Call me a source.

**Dig It** » 2012-07-10 19:34

My fellow bloggers, "God don't love ugly." "Whatever goes around, will come back around." First of all, my "heart" goes out to those 150 workers that lost their job! Sad to say, the GOAB has "failed" to act in the "best interests" of these workers, in convincing Bodog to stay and save jobs! The PM and his cronies knew that they have a "problem" attracting "investments," to these shores, and, so, they tried to "sell-us" a "castle-in-the- sky" multi-million dollar "Poultry" operation that would create "thousands" of jobs! If they can't attract sound investors, how could they keep them? Bloggers, it is not about the love of country anymore! It is all about "self" and not "thee!" While poor people are "struggling" to make "five-quarters- out-of-a-dollar ," they (the Draculars of the night) were more concerned about "wasting" the tax payers money, and, furthering the "debts" of the state without parliamential approval! In 2014, I am wetting my hand and wait to see what they will be "bragging" about!

**ANTIGUAN WOMAN** » 2012-07-10 15:46

What is it going to take for Antiguans to get it through their heads that we are on the brink of a major disaster called collapse?? What will it take for us to realize the UPP has become a dangerous cancer to this country.How much more will we allow to go under,before we show Baldwin Spencer the way to the door,There is nothing whatsoever in the law that says me MUST wait until 2014.Enough is enough.

**tenman** » 2012-07-10 13:41

Brainchild, well said.

..

**Steadyj** » 2012-07-10 12:28

You hit the nail on the head, well said!

**Brainchild** » 2012-07-10 11:20

No reduction in the cost of doing business is going to be complete or will make sense without the central government coming to grips with APUA. The current set up is simply not sustainable.

We will have to make some critical, even gut wrenching decisions about the future viability of the utility company. APUA's recent decision to try to resuscitate its dead child (PCS) with central government's guaranteeing a commercial loan is part of the ongoing madness. With liberalization of the telecoms sector on its doorstep, and the removal of its subsidy that it used to enjoy from International call revenues, APUA's inability to turn a profit either individually or collectively from either of its five operating units will make APUA an increasing burden on the central government.

Neither PM Spencer nor any of his Minister's in Cabinet seem to have the intellectual or managerial capacity to transform this organisation and hence reduce the cost of doing business in Antigua to make us attractive once more to investment.

The same is equally the case with our port facilities and the madness and the chatter goes on and on and on and on ad infinitum...... .....

**Anu** » 2012-07-10 10:50

Fellow bloggers unlike some of you, i'm gonna call it as i see it. The whole of the UPP needs to demit office sooner than later. You have a bunch of men and women which consists of ministers and senators who forms the majority of the govt. So much wrong have happened over the years and all but the exception of one minister, have said nothing publicly to condemn the actions of his or her colleagues. When the ALP speaks about the ills the UPP have engaged in, UPP respond with character assasination and unwarranted threats while they avoid the real issues. When all falls down, they come to the public with all kind of excuses. The citizens elect govt to get positive results for our benefit, not excuses. Mr Daniel who has been quite vocal in the past, has seemed to gone silent. Judging the whole bunch by their actions, none of them really have Antiguans at heart, they only act accordingly just to acquire political points and for those who wish not to be re-elected, their actions clearly demonstrate that they do'nt care. We the citizens have suffered enough from the hands of UPP. We are the ones who endure the financial and mental from UPP govt errors. Its time to move on.

**hmmmm** » 2012-07-10 10:26

This is the same company that not long ago had "let go" ALOT of the local employees and brought in people from ireland and other countries to work.

They paid for the plane tickets, paid for housing and cars for them gave them higher salaries paid for work permits, and the locals were more or equally qualified to work, and had years of experience.

This is what happens in Antigua, we get shoved to the side, and looked down upon.
And this is happening too much in this small country,

They all live in the "good" areas and have good fancy lives and leave the locals without jobs.

To those that are now out of work, have faith, be strong, and keep looking for a job, even though the job market is rough now.

**Chiney get JOBS** » 2012-07-10 10:11

I don't agree with Weston much, but he is right here. This Government give all the construction jobs (though few) to the Chinese them, and over tax the Antiguans that not working to pay for their incompetence.

**young analyst** » 2012-07-10 09:03

The management of this country is so clueless of what is real priority, as to what is best for the country and that is sad. This sector is and can be one who employs a large number of people, however after seeing all the challenges it faced the government still did very little to nothing to help. They are so caught up with building their own legacy that they miss the big picture, how long more we Antiguans will allow this to go on for? or is it to late for the gaming sector?

**JP Farnsworth** » 2012-07-10 08:13

Weston calls it criminal I say the biggest crime is that he is proud he is the one that announced the problem and actually did nothing himself with regard to preventing it. Late as usual but ready to sling mud.

**Osbert R. Frederick** » 2012-07-10 07:25

The cost of doing business in Antigua is prohibitive. We have been saying that for a while now; yet the UPP continue to raise taxes and make bad matters worse. Yet they tell us that some company is going to build 5000 houses in Antigua and set up a factory to serve the Caribbean and Latin America; all this in a country where the cost of doing business is prohibitive. Dr. Dr., please tell us what are the deals that were made with this company. We all need to know. It really smells a bit fishy.

**Skyewill** » 2012-07-10 06:46

I ask again Why do you want to be a Politician? Is it because you love your country and give the ability and want to help people? Then get out! and a lot are getting out and more need to go!

**R. Berry** » 2012-07-10 05:57

Antigua when are you going to wake up and realize our current government is slowly but determinedly shutting this country down. We can no longer just continue to blame the world economy etc...while this administration continues to strangle all businesses and public alike.

Let me note that I'm not saying we must remove the UPP party from power, but unfortunately we must look at the incapacity of the current stock of Government Ministers and the PM.

If we cannot find much more capable ministers and/or leader, then yes the UPP party should be removed from power.

We cannot continue to sit by and watch day after day, our economy and businesses shrink and unemployment increasing.

This administration is completely failing to understand their role, which is to create an environment that fosters business and society growth...not shut them down. By shutting everything and everyone down, any government will earn less and less taxes, even though they continue to increase and implement more taxes.

**GoodJobBob** » 2012-07-10 04:14

But VANTIS now has another liquidation client!

Title	Answers
HAS THE RESULTS CAME OUT AS YET?	0
How will be taking Lovell's place.. Given he can not do his Job. We need to drop interest rates on outstanding matters. Who can do Lovell's Job right this time?	3
Is FBO 2000 on Antigua still up for sale?	1
Where do local eat	3
when u have to accept road signs from another country why u spend so much money on immigration as no one wants to settle in antigua	0

Title	Answers	Hits
Was there a police report filed by Royal Caribbean Vision of the seas for the man, wife and 11 yr old child removed from the ship on December 20th, 2012 ? He allegedly attacked a man with a service dog on the ship and was set on the dock that day with hi	0	38067
PWD in shambles, what is the purpose of their position? I'm tired of these people in the dept who jsut come eac day to make you feel uncomfortable because of their miserable lives. someone needs to look into this.	0	14731
What is the world's largest airline?	2	5530
What is the amount ZDK owes for electricity ?	1	3873
any audio or video of Minister Farrakhan speech at the Multi-purpose Centre?	1	3776

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