THE EDITOR, Sir:
I HAVE noted that the Government has repented of some of the budgetary sins they intended to commit against the people of Jamaica (the imposition of GCT on some pharmaceuticals, medical aids, and prescription drugs). What were they thinking? I am quite cognisant of the harsh (international) economic environment in which we have to operate, but increased and wider spread taxes cannot be used as a panacea.
I hope that the ruling party has not misconstrued its return to office as wholesale approval of their fiscal policies and their management practices. It is a case that the Jamaican people decided that 'de devil wah dem know better dan de angel wah dem nuh know' (if I might be so naive as to think of the others as 'angels').
The Budget is an indication that the Government has lost touch with the people and are merely going through the ceremonies without remembering why, and for whom, they are working. In setting their (our?) Budget, have they considered the plight of a single mother (or father) who has to take care of her household on minimum wage? Have they considered how s/he is going to afford food and various services when businesses try to regain the money they lose through the cess on imports?
Many of the problems in our country don't need a lot of money to be solved, they just need people with a quick eye for details, an interest in the people, and the capacity to execute the task(s) within Budget. We have had to pay taxes for too long to make up for the mismanagement of governments and it is time we put a stop to it. Mr. Seaga's impeachment proposal sounds good to me. Why? Because very few members of the present House (on either side) would remain, and hopefully we could replace them with judicious and visionary representatives of the people.
I am, etc.,
JOSEPH T. FARQUHARSON
jotifa@yahoo.com
Sidney Sussex College
University of Cambridge
United Kingdom
Via Go-Jamaica
