In The Royal Gazette of March 30, Senator David Burt and Junior Minister of Finance said that the Opposition was loose with the facts and that I was pontificating when stating the blindingly obvious and that is the Government has done a disastrous job of managing the economy. I ask whether the Junior Minister of Finance can confirm whether I am pontificating or inventing definitions when I say the fact is that Bermuda’s economy is worse off than a few years ago. How can I factually say this? If I have my facts wrong perhaps Senator Burt can refute the following facts?(i) In 2007 total visitor arrivals were 659,572. In 2009 the figure was 554,394.(ii) In 2007 hotel gross receipts were $300,252,000. In 2009 the total was $210,908,000.(iii) Government spending has exceeded $1 billion since 2006 and has consistently outstripped revenue.(iv) In July 2010 debt service costs were at least eight cents in every dollar and have increased massively since 2005/2006.(v) In 2007 foreign currency receipts were $2,578m. In 2009 they were $2,347m.(vi) The projected revenue for 2010-2011 was $1,058 million but in fact was $977 million or 7.7 percent less than predicted.(vii) In 2008 the total work force was 40,213. In 2009 it was 39,520. Up to date figures are not available but anecdotally the figure will be much lower at the end of 2010.(viii) GDP has fallen 8.1percent when inflation is taken into account.(ix) Whilst the debt-GDP debt ratio is small compared to the US or UK, Bermuda has only two economic pillars to rely on both of which are rapidly declining.(x) Bermuda dollar loans have outstripped deposits since 2006.(xi) Incorporations of exempted companies has nosedived with a knock on effect of major law firms laying off Bermudian staff that actually incorporates those companies.It is time that the Government stopped misleading us on where we are.What is Government’s plan to repay our debt over the next five years? The Minister of Finance says that by 2016 $200 million of debt will be paid off. Of what figure? What are the most current government statistics on unemployment in Bermuda? What are the 2010 GDP figures? It is time the public knew the true extent of our failing economy. I will repeat the questions here I have posed before which, at least anecdotally, should make people think about what the truth might be.1. Are you financially better off than you were six years ago?2. How many people do you know who have been made redundant from an international business company, construction company or local business?3. How many people do you know who have defaulted on their mortgage?4. Is Hamilton as busy as it was on a weekday or weekend with shoppers or business people?5. How many people do you know that used to take a small holiday abroad that are no longer doing this?6. How much stuff can barely be given away on e-moo given the sheer volume of items for sale?7. How many people do you know that used to work construction that are now doing small hustles to make ends meet?8. How many people do you know that have turned to Government seeking a hand up since they have income shortfalls to provide for their families?9. How many people do you know who have had rental units sit empty either large or small? Have fallen rents affected your ability to pay your mortgage?10. Do you see deterioration in the general maintenance of people’s houses and the public highways and by-ways?11. Have you had a pay freeze over the last number of years?12. How many more people do you see on the rocks fishing for their dinner?13. How many more adults do you see packing groceries at the supermarket?14. How many more unlicensed cabs do you see outside establishments in Hamilton?15. How many rental bikes with tourists do you see riding on the roads of Bermuda?16. How many more people do you know who have been victims of burglary or robbery?17. Has the value of your property dropped?18. Is your child receiving breakfast at school?19. Are you eating out less?20. How would rate the Premier/ Minister of Finance’s handling of the economy over that past six years?Both Opposition parties, the Chamber of Commerce, the Bermuda First Group, political commentators, charities and others have all identified these issues and have come up with solutions. Most have been ignored. Acting like an ostrich only makes things worse.