Why allyuh crying now???

The following is via the 2010 Manifest which is basically a continuation of the 2007 and as claimed in this Newsday article contains significant overlap. I could not find a copy of the 2007 Manifesto and this link via a Google search has been removed from the PNM website.

The Senior Citizen’s Grant (formerly the Old Age Pension) provides relief to those of our senior citizens who have limited income or no income at all. Since December 2001, the PNM has increased this Grant by over 200%, from $800 per month in 2001 to the current level in May 2010 of $2,500 per month. The latest increase from $1,950 to $2,500 per month represents an increase of almost 30%. Over the last 8 years, we have also increased the National Insurance Pension by 100% from $1,000 to $2,000, and increased the combined income from NIS and the Senior Citizens Grant from $1,800 in 2001 to $3,550 per month
in 2010, or an increase of almost 100%. The minimum public service pension will now also be increased to $2,500, consistent with PNM policy. These substantial increases are testimony to the caring nature of the PNM. This will never change.

With all the talk presently about the People’s Partnership broken pension promise, I would like to state that the PNM is no different and in previous comments and posts I have indicated that for those who say that they and others would have voted for a $3,000 pension is at best ridiculous.

Sine 2001 I have heard many persons complain about the old age pension (changed to Senior Citizens Grant by the PNM) and some have raised issues in relation to the NIS. There were issues in relation to what they actually received which in many instances were nowhere close to what the above section of the PNM manifesto claims. Also, the issue as stated above that pension was raised to $2,500 as far as I can remember this was either done just before the election so as to hoodwink people into voting for the PNM or was to be implemented if we were to put god out of our thoughts and re-elect the PNM.

Therefore, I will say to all those who are raising their voices today, including the opposition leader, that they should just shut up. I will also say to the electorate, please for your sake, stop voting on platform rhetoric and look at policies, and look at those policies in relation to revenue and the development plans of a government. These factors will guide you as to whether a government can deliver on what they say on the platform which is strictly designed to catch votes.

Stop blaming Governments for outsmarting you!!!