While away on vacay, I tried to stay away from newspapers and digital platforms in an effort to disconnect, rest and refresh. I did an excellent job. This morning I sat across my screen with a blank page, wondering it writer’s block is a temporary or a permanent condition.
My mind is in a state of total disconnect.
Two things came to me however.
One: April 1st, 2019, Noticia Cla published a credible fake news item, in which a law was being prepared to penalized intoxicated drivers with an Awg 1,000 fine, if caught by the authorities.
That piece of fake news hit home, the fine made sense, an Awg 1,000 levy will inflict pain, and will be felt. Alas, it was a joke, Noticia Cla came clean, it was an April Fool’s Day fabrication.
But it resonated in the community.
Authorities, take notice, please.
Naturally the fine cannot be collected by the men in blue, but by some third party, but it’s a good idea.
Traditionally, local incident reports have been calling motorist driving under the influence ‘tired.’ Thus, most of our traffic fatalities have been caused and suffered by ‘drivers who are tired and fall asleep at the wheel.’
Perhaps it is time to crack down on driving under the influence, with steep fines, and call it by its name, because let’s face it, as a nation we habitually drink and drive.
Just for comparison: With just one DUI — driving under the influence — Americans usually are very surprised, when they are turned away at the Canadian border if they have any type of alcohol related offense. Canada will NOT let you in. They are very strict and non-nonsense about it.
TWO: The IMF Mission, as quoted by the AHATA CEO
Three weeks ago, the International Monetary Fund mission was on Aruba to meet with various entities, including AHATA, and to prepare a seasonal report. They discussed issues such as workforce limitations, debilitating labor laws, cost of doing business, tourism inventory saturation, etc. Then they wrote a report, which I found interesting, and I am inviting you to read it.
The text is friendly, not too technical.
A few headlines:
-Aruba’s economy is slowly recovering
-Fiscal reform should include tax reform (shift to indirect taxes) and expenditure rationalization
-Diminishing returns from additional tourists. Focus on high quality services and infrastructure to maximize visitor spending and diversify tourism sources.
-For diversification of economy, increase renewable energy and modernize health care system.
-Improve business climate by removing red tape, address corruption, policy should protect the worker not the job (promote labor market flexibility).