Having read the Budget recently announced by the Minister of Finance, I am left to conclude that not much has changed.There is one line I agree with in it: "A job is the best social programme ever invented.”If we create more jobs, more people start working, more money starts changing hands, and it affects the psyche of the person who was once unemployed. We have to give our people hope and getting them jobs will help.Now here is my main point for this week. I agree with much of what was written in the Budget Statement and everybody understands that the OBA inherited a mess.However, many people are already tired of the OBA’s constant and almost incessant referring to the mess they inherited from the previous administration, blaming it all on the PLP and reminding us too frequently of how decisions made by that administration limit what they can do, at least in the short-term.We get it.Here‘s some advice, something for nothing, if you will. It is something I learned from ‘It Worked For Me; In Life and Leadership’ authored by one of my role models, General Colin Powell.Long before President Barack Obama became popular he was thought to be the guy who would have been the first black President of the US of A.It’s called the 30-Day Rule. For the record, I have practised this myself and have found it to be enormously effective.The basic premise is that if you inherit something or succeed another person or entity after 30 days of being in the post, you should no longer blame things on the person or entity you've replaced. To do so becomes old and causes you to lose credibility.The strong and progressive leader takes full ownership of their new portfolio after 30 days and lets all stakeholders know this. This builds confidence in the new leader, as well as credibility, integrity and support.When His Excellency read the Throne Speech earlier this year, he stated that the OBA had been in charge for some 50-plus days. Based on General Powell’s theory, on the day of the Throne Speech and the Convening of the Legislature, the OBA were 20 days past the limit of the timeline for blaming things on the PLP.But the blame game continues as I type. I can’t blame them. I don’t think that many of them were senior officers in a military unit. So let’s give them a pass for not using the 30-day rule up to this point and let’s help them to understand the concept.As of March 8, 2013, the OBA has been in power for 81 days. So, effective March 15, stop blaming things on the PLP. Grow up. Accept that you own it now and let’s move on!Bermuda’s problems are no longer the PLP’s problems; they are the OBA’s problems to fix and an adequate percentage of the number of people who voted on December 17, 2012, voted for the OBA, because those voters felt that the OBA was more inclined to fix the problems or as a minimum should be given a chance to do so.Don’t take the privilege for granted, as, it seems, the previous administration did, ultimately to their peril.Now I must address the concept of 'shared sacrifice'. I said this a few weeks ago and I must drop it again the OBA Cabinet taking a pay cut from their part-time job and new salaries is not shared sacrifice; it’s only a symbolic gesture that hasn't fooled me or others who take the time to pay attention to such matters!Real shared sacrifice would be the Cabinet taking a pay cut from their full-time/main job salaries, because that's what they're asking civil servants to do. Let’s keep it real folks.I am fine with most of the other initiatives in the Budget but only time will tell whether it works. I hope and pray to God that it does because Bermuda cannot afford a fifth consecutive year of negative growth.In the meantime, let’s adopt the 30-Day Rule and stop blaming the previous administration.The Top 20Improving to #1 is a former essential new tune, Thrift Shop by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz.Tumbling to #2 is Don’t Stop The Party, by Pitbull.Tumbling to #3 is Beauty and a Beat by Justin Bieber and Nicky Minaj.Improving to #4 is Right Now by the queen of pop, Rihanna, featuring David Guetta, the king of dance music and remixes.Falling to #5 is Locked Out Of Heaven by Bruno Mars.UP to #6 is Scream and Shout by will.i.am and Britney Spears.Slipping to #7 is Too Close by Alex Clare.Improving to #8 is Don’t You Worry Child, by the Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin.On the way up at #9 is F*ckn Problems by A$ap Rocky.Down to #10 is Na Na Na by Akon.Slipping to #11is Diamonds by Rihanna.Up to #12 is Bring it to me Kes and the Band.Improving to #13 is She Ready by Machel MontanoOn the way up at #14 is Nah Go Change (One Cent) by DemarcoImproving to #15 is Surge by Clockwork featuring Wynter Gordon, last week’s essential new tune.Stay by Rihanna stumbles to #16Up to #17 is Drive Me Crazy by Beenie Man.Jumping to #18 is Let it Go, a new one from Beres Hammond, a veteran in the reggae music industry who reminds us that sweet singing reggae is still a joy to behold.Up to #19 is Make Me Prosper by Demarco.New at #20 is one of the coolest new songs around and this week’s essential new tune Suit and Tie, by Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z. Your boy Kanye West was once again tripping over this song but dude has issues. This song is hot and I congratulate these two giants in the music industry for collaborating and producing a game changer hit single.