Last week I read with interest a letter in The Anguillian signed by The Equalizer in which he/she stated that, unlike the United States Government which has been bailing out multi-national corporations, the Anguilla Government was bailing out itself in these dire economic times.

While I agree that there is nothing wrong about the Anguillian Government bailing out itself, if such action is in the public good, I am of the view that had the Government been more financially prudent when the island’s economy was at its zenith, the situation with the public financing in Anguilla would have been much better now.

One reason is that Government would have had more financial reserves to draw from in the current lean times. Secondly, Government might have been better able to assist local people now needing help. The fact that the Minister of Finance had to clarify a matter in which some persons thought the Government’s “stimulus plan” was aimed at bailing out some Anguilla businesses, it suggests that there was an expectation in some quarters that the plan was to help local persons.

Notwithstanding this, I think, like The Equalizer, that if the Government is bailing out itself, then the public on whose behalf it is acting, should derive some good in the final analysis. Howbeit, my view is that Government must, at all times, exercise prudence in expenditure and put aside money for the rainy day or make sure it collects the required dues from investors on the island.

Political Watchdog

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