THE EDITOR, Sir:IT IS with the gravest concern that I look at the current state of things within our country. The measure that has really taken me aback and that serves as my main reason for writing this, is the GCT tax on computers and computer parts.
Before the various measures were announced, one popular radio personality said that the Government has a tendency to try and take advantage of any area which they think is making too much money for average Jamaicans.
TECHNOLOGICAL PATH
We were greatly encouraged a few years ago when the Government went on a technological path. There was no tax on computers and computer-related items. The idea behind this was to get computers into as many schools and more importantly, as many homes as possible. Therefore, putting us into the midst of this modern renaissance.
I remember in 1998 when starting college and I couldn't afford to buy a computer. More memorable, was a story told by my head of department, in his day the proper resources in UWI were not available to run/compile their computer programmes. They instead had to do what was referred to as a dry run, where what was written in was expected to be syntactically and logically correct. Professors were then to do the compilation of these programmes and grade them.
We have come far, many own a computer today; basic schools are educating children with computers. Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go, as due to these taxes many young people will not experience this renaissance and will "be left in the dark".
I am challenging the Government to seriously look at what they are doing and revisit other methods of attaining the budget, without further destroying the Jamaican economy.
The Government has abandoned the technological goals they had set a few years ago and have instead returned to the dethroned King Sugar.
I am, etc.,
MARCUS C. ABRAHAM-SELYAH
selyah01@yahoo.com
Fort Lauderdale
Florida.
