By Gary EleazarIn his opening presentation speaking to the 2009 Budget debates, leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Raphael Trotman told the house that the debates have descended into a season of sophistry and of eloquence; of empty rhetoric and boundless arrogance and ignorance.He posited that the annual debates have now become an annual event where parliamentarians willingly submit to pretending that all is well, and at the same time that nothing good had transpired since the previous occasion.The AFC leader also described the season as a time when Parliamentarians gloat of miniscule achievements as if they were gargantuan accomplishments, and diminish that which were worthy of acclaim.“It is the season of promoting illogical fiscal policies and programmes that have resulted from over-active imaginations.”As it relates to the actual budget that was presented by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh recently, Trotman described it as lacking vision and offering nothing exciting that proffers hope for improving the quality of life this year, and beyond. “Nothing jumps out at us to create that wow or yes effect,” Trotman opined.The AFC leader reminded the House that in the latter part of 2008, the party had stated that it was firmly of the opinion that the worldwide financial crisis would definitely affect Guyana in more significant ways than the Government has stated and would wish Guyanese to believe, and had called on the Government to display honesty on the issue.“The contagion effects of the global financial crisis would not escape Guyana, and already we are beginning to see signs of economic recession, as remittances decline; the falling away of gold and diamond prices, and of bauxite and forest products; and the marked decrease in spending power of the Guyanese working class.”Trotman said that the Government has been too complacent by simply saying that the country’s financial system is sufficiently insulated from worldwide shocks and tremors, which was in stark contrast to proactive measures in other Caribbean countries which have already began examining ways of staving off the harsh effects of the ongoing financial global meltdown.On the issue of the inflation rate in Guyana, Trotman noted that given the debacle of the Skeldon Sugar factory, heavy rains, and a decline in consumer spending, the projected figure of six percent by the Finance Minister was artificial and was more in the vicinity of 9 to 10 per cent.As it relates to the country’s debt management,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys, the AFC leader noted that the country should be concerned with the management of the expanding debt, “when by admission the debt grew by 16 per cent in 2008 to US$833.7M”.He pointed out that the issue becomes more acute as a result of a expected decline in consumer spending and reductions in tax revenue which were announced by the Minister in the Budget presentation.Another issue that the AFC leader addressed was Drainage and Irrigation. He told the House that it was the number one concern of farmers, large and small, as the current infrastructure is woefully inadequate.“We are told that in 2008,Nike NFL Jerseys China, 3.8 billion dollars were spent on D&I yet at the end of the year tens of thousands of Guyanese were inundated by water…Where is the bang for the buck…Where has the money gone?”As it relates to the proposed $3B Hope Canal to relieve the East Demerara Conservancy, Trotman asked why legislators should approve billions dollars disbursement when “we have not been satisfied that Guyana would benefit from the money earmarked to be spent.”This comment by Trotman was in light of a 2003 report presented to the Government on a study on Natural Resources Management conducted by the Government of Germany. He pointed out that the report recommended many things, foremost amongst which was the establishment of a new settlement and town.“We are spending billions on saving the coast. We in the AFC believe that it is time to act wisely by preparing for the impact of climate change, and to be able to harness and optimize the benefits of the resources that we have been blessed with, by preparing to move to higher, safer ground.”MUSICAL RENDITIONIn light of the glowing presentations of life in Guyana by the various government speakers,Cheap World Cup Jerseys 2018, Trotman told the house that he believes that music was one of the best means of expressing the true feelings of people.He pointed out that there is a popular song being played on the streets of every community in Guyana, and particularly the more depressed ones, called “Nothing To Smile About”,Houston Cougars Jerseys, which he was asked to impress upon the members of the house, given that the lyrics of the song adequately and accur