Dear Source:
The dire situation that our government continues to find itself in annually is compounded by a refusal of all sectors of the economy to sacrifice and contribute. Since we have no marketable natural resources, we must rely on tourism and soft industries to create some kind of economy.
While Beal probably was not the correct choice for investment, nonpolluting industries like this are what we need to invest. We should push service industries such as call centers, insurance, and high technology. The high technology component must come with a full commitment to support technical education in our high schools, at UVI, and in training centers (to be established such as what HOVIC did in the 1960's). These industries are people-intensive and non-polluting. An added benefit is the training and education of our people. This is in addition to the added benefit of increased tax revenues.
The other side of the coin (and probably the most immediate) is the increase of the revenue base. While I understand the salaries in the V.I. and the high prices, I still cannot ignore the large volume of new car sales, luxury car sales, new home sales, etc. For a people that are supposedly broke, we spend a lot of money on expensive leisure activities, such as daily visits to the mainland, cruises, etc. I fully support implementation of a sales tax. I also fully support Senators Bryant and Jean-Baptiste's defeated measure for a sin tax. Let's not be fooled. The price of alcohol and cigarettes in the islands are no more a drawing force for tourism than the price of apples. The truth is that I can buy cigarettes in the South for just as cheap or cheaper than the islands. And the price of a bottle of Bacardi is about the same, maybe a dollar less. Who will travel to the islands just to save a dollar per bottle? The harassment of traveling back with the goods far outweigh the savings. I never buy alcohol when I come home unless it is a local variety not available in the States (e.g., Coquito or Guavaberry rum).
Finally, the controversial side. The unions must see that the government is bloated in some areas and must be reduced. The early retirement of several years ago was flawed in that the people that retired were the most valuable ones. Simple attrition is not the answer. At the same time, we must ensure that we build private sector jobs to compensate for public sector loss.
None of these ideas are new, we just need to have the intestinal fortitude to implement them.
Dwayne Henry
Native Virgin Islander
North Carolina
