‘De people want water’ – and other budget considerations

A monthly column by Dr Marlene Attzs, Economist
Email: marlene.attzs@gmail.com

A few weeks before the 2020 general elections I took a drive to Manzanilla, one of my favourite cross-country jaunts. Such a jaunt naturally involves a stop at a neighbourhood parlour.

At my preferred stop, I happened on a conversation between the shopkeeper and another customer. The conversation at that time naturally was on politics and who did and didn’t do what. I became rapt in the conversation—not quite eavesdropping—but one contribution resonated then and continues to haunt me.  “Once I start getting water two times a week, I go think about voting in 2025…”. What a wish, I thought. Imagine in 2020 the plea is for water twice a week!

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