Dumb and dumber

[Lazie]

The Government of Jamaica seems to be getting dumber by the day. There are way too many influence pedlars advising the Government and, as such, only the small man will get hurt. How on earth will parents tell their children they cannot feed them as they don't have enough money to pay the taxes on the food which will give them sustenance?
The new tax measures announced by the Government will only seek to drive the economy farther underground.

Since your problem is raising revenue, why don't you try plugging the leaks in the economy in the first place? Raw food should never be taxed, only when it is prepared. Utilities should be taxed. This will force people to conserve energy, thereby cutting your reliance on expensive imported oil.

Look at other items
Telephone services are to be taxed; people spend way too much time gossiping. Cable-TV services should be taxed. Petrol has to be taxed, clothing is taxable, but not for children. The list goes on and on with things that can be taxed. Reduce the GCT to 10 per cent and cut government waste and mismanagement.

Your monetary policy is another sham. High interest rates have the same effect as do very low interest rates. No one will borrow money when the rates are too high; when the rates are too low no one will want to lend their money as they will not get a decent rate of return. Keep it moderate and affordable to spur the economy.

As a Jamaican living overseas, I had plans to relocate to Jamaica at the end of March 2010 and operate a business. With these new tax measures in place I have now decided to take my money to Europe. Sorry, Mr Shaw, I cannot allow myself to be governed by a bunch of nitwits.
I am, etc.,
JOHN CASBURN TOMLIN
lovemylexuss@yahoo.ca
Toronto

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/glean.../letters3.html

[Assasin]

He has some good suggestions but question fi him. How many tax him pay a Canada. Him might get a surprise when him go a Europe too.

[Lazie]

Cry out and protest
Published: Saturday | December 19, 2009

Cry out and protest
Although this government has inherited a huge debt, I cannot believe that the International Monetary Fund has told them to crush the poor. Surely, our government has lost its head. Taxation of vegetables, fruits, sardines, meats, eggs, etc. is utter madness. To think that governments around the earth are aware of the terrible climate change and look to save polluting energy, and our government wants to tax solar water heaters!
Where are we going? Sewage-disposal systems with GCT, while we already pay for twice our consumption of water to cover the cost of sewerage.
Obviously, the rich must continue to be filthy rich while the poor, who are the overwhelming majority, must starve and fade away in deafening silence!
A non-violent protest is needed as well as non-cooperation in the payment of this tax. We cannot, and must not, accept this type of taxation.
Sylvie Grizzle.
Hanover

Tax madness
Can someone please explain the direction the finance minister is taking when GCT is slapped on ground provisions? In a time of global recession, when Jamaica should be looking at saving foreign exchange, isn't this the time when domestic production and consumption should be encouraged?
How can the government tax yam which is locally grown, yet exempt rice and flour which are imported? And how does the government collect GCT from someone in Coronation Market - when they cannot collect from large establish enterprises?
Instead of instituting a policy of national information automation by applying computer technology throughout the system where efficiency will allow the government to collect the billions of dollars that is owed, they continue to do the same thing their grandfathers did - increase taxes.
Verol Thompson
verol.thompson@sonic-planet.com
Atlanta, Georgia

We can't afford it
The government is always looking for the easy way out. They need to start doing the job they are being paid to do - use their brain. I suppose at this point in the JLP administration the Jamaican people will just have to just wait them out.
Here are some suggestions to increase cash flow into the government's coffers: 1) cut government officials earning salary over $3 million by two per cent; improve the Inland Revenue's ability to track and collect taxes from delinquent taxpayers; increase property tax; reduce the life of driver's licence to four years; increase tax on alcoholic beverages; tax all lottery winnings up to 25 per cent; increase exports and cut frivolous spending within ministries.
Shaurnetta Russell
rassparadise@yahoo.com
South Carolina

[Lazie]

Ms. Russell made some good points, however will that close the gap in the budget? Didn't all MPs on the gov't side take a salary cut already? I must agree that taxing agricultural products is madness.

[Assasin]

Lazie actually do you expect the government to collect from the higglers? Where they will collect from this is from supermarkets and other organized institiution.

If you have a business doing cash in the US you think the government can judge exactly what you have sold? It is the same thing for small vendors here. It is going to be hard to collect but all the imports they are going to actually pay tax on it.

Hopefully the small farmer and seller will benefit.

[Lazie]

Lazie actually do you expect the government to collect from the higglers? Where they will collect from this is from supermarkets and other organized institiution.

If you have a business doing cash in the US you think the government can judge exactly what you have sold? It is the same thing for small vendors here. It is going to be hard to collect but all the imports they are going to actually pay tax on it.

Hopefully the small farmer and seller will benefit.

Suh ppl simply guh buy it at the market then suh no tax will be collected. Purpose defeated.

[Hortical]

Sales taxes in Toronto is about 13%. The federal GST is 5%, and the provincial rate is 8%. There is a 10% alcohol tax at restaurants and a 12% tax at retail stores.

[Assasin]

Lazie have they ever collected taxes from the higglers? they have no mechanism in place to do so for small scale higglers.