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Why we stand with Latoya Nugent

March 17, 2017, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

We seek justice, fairness and transparency. Nothing more, nothing less.

And we will not settle for less. So we must be firm, resolved and unequivocal in standing with Latoya Nugent, in the face of her arrest and subsequent hospitalisation.

If we — feminists, advocates of justice and victims of crimes — could see the law operating with due process and speed, there would be little need for the noise of protests.

It is only when the wheels of justice are stuck, when gentle appeals are ignored, when pleas are treated with contempt, and when patience is exhausted by dismissals, that there is a need to resort to protest.

And some of those protests must take a form specifically intended to challenge the existing order.

That is precisely what Nugent has done in her determination to force the State to do its duty — not to her but to attend to the pain of countless victims.

Yet, instead of addressing the issue she raises, the State has turned to focus on her. She is not the issue. She is merely a scream pleading for attention to gross, fundamental and ongoing criminal sexual injustice that is persistently ignored.

This is a structural matter.

We stand with Latoya Nugent, co-founder of the Tambourine Army, in calling on the Jamaican Government to address the agony of criminal sexual injustice in Jamaican society.

We stand with Latoya in calling for the Jamaican Government to expedite the screams for justice among the victims of these crimes.

We stand with Latoya in calling for the Jamaican Government to live up to the high standard in all the international conventions for justice and fairness and equity that it has signed on behalf of women and children.

We stand with Latoya in urging the Government of Jamaica to reform laws that preserve prejudice and bigotry and serve to inhibit the emergence of a respectful and inclusive society.

Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action

Castries, St Lucia

cafra@candw.lc

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Let’s be proactive in addressing building approval delays

March 17, 2017, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

I wish to point out that a requirement for development of buildings to be occupied for any activity is that thy are safe. I say this in response to many who suggest that the building approval process is tantamount to red tape and a hindrance to economic progress.

The State (parish council/municipal corporations) is responsible for the enforcement of standards for buildings necessary for the safety of the public. Architects design buildings with the aim of ensuring that buildings do not endanger the occupants or the public. The parish council is responsible for the review of proposals submitted by architects, and to review them they need a current set of guidelines (Building Act) and the knowledge of how to apply the regulations relating to the proposal submitted.

The problem of building approval delays usually is caused by either incomplete documents submitted to the parish council for review, unqualified personnel reviewing the documents at the parish council, or poor administrative systems that cannot track the progress of documents that are submitted and communicate effectively internally or externally.

So I suggest that before the review of plans for buildings comes up for elimination in the government sector, they look to fix the causes of the problem. If dust is causing you to get a cold, the solution is not to buy new and improved dust masks, it is to eliminate the cause of the dust.

Let us be proactive in addressing the problem of delays in building approvals, hire registered and competent professionals to review building plans, and manage the communication in the agencies. We also need to finalise the passage of the Building Act, employ a government town planner to oversee the development of a national spatial plan and, finally, get politicians out of the approval process, because too often they contribute to the hold up and derailment of many useful and productive plans for no good reason.

Hugh M Dunbar

New York, USA

hmdenergy@gmail.com

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Keep TEF separate from Consolidated Fund

March 17, 2017, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

The following is an open letter to the Audley Shaw, minister of finance:

It is with deep disappointment that it has come to the knowledge of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association that the Government intends to move the funds held in the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) into the Consolidated Fund.

The JHTA, as the representative of the tourism sector, was not consulted on these plans, but even more importantly, our objections are based on the fact that these funds are specifically for investment in the infrastructural enhancement of the tourism sector as a whole.

Mr Minister, you will recall that the TEF was designed to remove the heavy burden from the Jamaican taxpayer and it is directly funded by a charge on the airline tickets of arriving visitors; one of the reasons these funds are held and managed separately from that of the Consolidated Fund.

The JHTA is a key stakeholder in the policy and administration of these funds, and we are specifically spelt out in the TEF Act as representatives on its board. Having partnered with successive administrations on the management of these funds, we take great offence to even the remote possibility that the funds of the TEF could be arbitrarily removed from the oversight of the board.

The investment of the funds, since its establishment in 2004, has indisputably been held in safe accounts with respectable returns. The JHTA cannot stand by and see this important fund dismantled by what seems to be an ill-conceived intent to garnish the funds for use in areas that will not be for the growth and benefit of the tourism industry.

The Act is very clear on the purposes of the fund and today 50 per cent is used to market the destination, while the other 50 per cent is used to maintain and develop the tourism product. There is still much to do across the country to build the industry and maintain its competitiveness, and we cannot stand by and see this vision diluted.

Minister Shaw, we stand willing and ready to meet with you and the minister of tourism to understand your thinking on this issue, but we wish to be very clear that the protection of the TEF is very important to the JHTA, and we are prepared to protect it to the fullest extent.

Omar Robinson

President

Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association

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Retarded in self-defence

March 17, 2017, 2:00 am
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Dear Editor,

Jamaicans are constrained where self-defence is concerned. Basic examples will suffice.

Why in the name of sweet Jesus did Parliament make illegal the possession of knives for all people, no matter how small the knife. The criminals have guns, the police have guns, the wealthy and elite have guns. Why on Earth can’t the poor and humble have a small knife?

In the United States it is legal to carry on your person a knife with a blade bigger than the distance across the palm of your hand just below your fingers, approximately 3 cm. Why not that approach?

Pepper spray is also outlawed in Jamaica yet legal in the US. Very few men carry it, but many women do — as a first line of defence.

Jamaica have retarded in a way that is especially harmful to the small man or woman, poor or relatively powerless. But then, isn’t that the Jamaica we know at so many levels . Shame on our representatives!

Robert Trivers

Southfield, St Elizabeth

triversr@gmail.com

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What would you have done differently, Phillips?

March 20, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

I paid keen attention to Peter Phillips’s presentation on the 2017/2018 national budget in his role as Opposition spokesperson on finance. Unfortunately, Phillips did a great job at reigniting disinterest in Jamaican politics with his predictable delivery that was filled with criticism and negativity. It is simply disappointing that the person who is expected to step into the driver’s seat of the People’s National Party’s (PNP) jeep failed to offer an alternative course for the country.

The Opposition’s show had the same plot as many before, where Phillips, as the main character, merely followed the ancient practices of finger-pointing and preaching doom and gloom upon the land. With the bar set so low — where the Opposition’s delivery isn’t required to have much intellectual rigour — it is not surprising that there is disinterest in Jamaican politics, and by extension widespread voter apathy. Quite frankly, if Peter Phillips’s presentation were a movie I would have requested a refund, since I have seen and heard it all before.

In the past, a small group of PAYE workers carried a tremendously heavy and unfair tax burden, essentially filling the financial gap that exists as a result of the country having a large informal economy that isn’t included in the tax net. The general consensus among leaders of the country is that the best way to create an equitable tax system is to capture the informal economy by shifting from direct taxation through income tax to a new structure of indirect taxation, which spreads the burden out. In layman’s terms, “many hands make the work light.”

It would have been prudent of Phillips to inform the country about which items his party would have imposed taxes on, instead of merely criticising the plans presented by the Government. Would the PNP impose more taxes that burden the poor directly, as they did by taxing patties and ATM transactions? Would they attempt to increase tax compliance by arresting hard-working Jamaicans who are forced to have ‘side jobs’ in order to make ends meet?

Peter Phillips missed an opportunity to tell the people of Jamaica what his party would have done differently to shift towards indirect taxation.

In the future we should challenge Opposition parties to present detailed alternative national budgets. Not only will this empower the citizens of Jamaica, but it will also foster a shift in culture away from divisive criticisms towards constructive debates.

Stephen Edwards

Kingston 6

patriot.ja@gmail.com

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Withhold your funds from the TEF, Stewart

March 20, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

I listened in horror and disbelief as the chairman of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) went on the attack over Government’s decision to use part of of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) to support the country. The arrogance of the JHTA is beyond belief, and I wonder in whose interest it is advocating. Certainly not the country.

For one, the TEF is awash with money that is not being used at all, but sitting there earning minuscule rates of interest. It would seem to me that if the nation treasury needs help then everyone should lend a hand.

Not only that, but successive administrations have pandered to every whim and fancy of the JHTA to the detriment of sectors like manufacturing. It is full time they start giving something back to this nation. The gluttony has cost us much in other areas, so it’s time to rebalance the scale.

Tourism is no longer the only sector creating impressive growth; agriculture is beating it right now. Yet still agriculture doesn’t have the money it needs. Some of that money from the TEF could be pumped into agriculture. If we are serious about economic growth, it is full time Jamaica moves away from its over-reliance on just tourism.

I was extremely moved to see Gordon “Butch” Stewart coming out in support of the Government’s move. His reasoning makes perfect sense. He understands the need for tourism to give back to a nation that has given to it at a disproportionate level of support over many, many years.

I would further encourage Stewart to withhold his portion of funds going into the TEF and turn that over to the Government if those losers at the JHTA don’t fall in line and stop sabotaging the Government. He is by the far the biggest contributor through his hotel chain to the TEF. If he withholds funding or redirects his funds then the TEF will surely collapse. That’s not in anybody’s interest really, so good sense must prevail.

Tyrone Lewis

tyronelewis272@gmail.com

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Don’t kick a man when he’s down, JADCo

March 20, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

From time to time our sportsmen and women have had to defend their reputation before local and international tribunals.

These experiences must be harrowing, painful and expensive for them. However, when adverse test results and failure to present themselves occur, action must be taken. This is paramount in the preservation of our national sporting programmes.

Notwithstanding, the appearance of balance and fairness must be the hallmark of all decision-making. In the case of Andre Russell vs the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCo), I personally believe this latest position of JADCo is excessive.

Do not kick an individual when he or she is already down. Andre is now down, and seeing the latest report on him I am disturbed.

We need to save our national treasures. These sportspeople have expended time, money and unspeakable effort in preparing themselves for competition. Jamaica has been the recipient of their glory in terms of the national pride and economic returns they generate for us.

Please, commissioners, rethink your position, a year is enough punishment.

To Andre, I say, stay strong, never give up, and fellow Jamaicans, show your support.

In an unrelated matter, let us also keep a good thought for Nesta Carter.

Andrea Dunk

andrea.d7774@gmail.com

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An objective look at the new tax package

March 20, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

The Government has announced a new slew of taxes to fulfil its election promise of the $1.5-million tax break. While there has been some backtracking of the initial promise of no new taxes, the level of backlash being spewed is quite unnecessary.

The bulk of the new taxes will come from an increase in the special consumption tax on petroleum products which was the case in the financial year 2016-2017. Looking objectively at the increase placed on fuel is a far cry from the peak oil price we experienced based on data from Petrojam during the week of June 26, 2014. Oil being an international commodity is priced in United States dollars, which means it is susceptible to the depreciation of the Jamaican dollar. The price of E-10 87 during that week hovered at close to $128.10 before retailers add their margins, which when taken at the exchange rate of the day at $112.77 to US$1 equals US$1.14 per litre. If that price is now translated to today’s exchange rate of $128.52 to US$1 a litre of E10 87, it would be $146 — a far cry from the $104.20 being sold by Petrojam at last week’s prices.

A lot of the reprieve in low gas prices has to do with the international markets being oversupplied and with depressing prices. Instead of both forex and people’s purchasing power being spent to purchase oil to keep the country going, it is being kept in the country. This is apparent in the country’s improved balance of payments position and low inflation rate. The money kept in the country by reduced oil prices and the income tax giveback should have a multiplier effect on the economy and, in theory, accelerate economic growth, which last year was almost two per cent.

No person wants to pay taxes, but they are essential to make a country function properly. Everyone should be paying their fair share because everyone uses government services, and the shift from direct to indirect taxes is needed to capture everyone in the tax net. So the Government imposing more taxes on fuel to fund the giveback to the people is necessary, instead of just implementing new taxes to meet International Monetary Fund conditions.

The near two per cent growth the country experienced last year was not much, but it’s a start, and should be accelerated by the next phase of the giveback. It’s my firm belief that the different sectors that use petroleum as a main input should be able to absorb the added cost without passing it on to consumers.

David Williams

Tampa, USA

williams1794@hotmail.com

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Moral devaluation wreaking havoc

March 21, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

It’s clear that we, as a society, have cheapened our moral standards. Would it be accurate to say we are a society which upbears moral standards?

As a young 22-year-old I sometimes wonder where our self-respect and integrity have all disintegrated to. Growing up we were taught the moral values of selflessness, honesty, integrity and, most importantly, love. Where has that love disappeared to?

We would have already known the issues just by tuning into our nightly news programmes. Whether it be violence against our women, violence against our children, to go even further to sexual immorality, we know the problems. What is the solution?

The answer to that question isn’t as easy as we would think. Look at our country’s sexual dilemma. It is constitutional for our young girls at age 16 to be having sex. As parents, are you comfortable with that? Do we really understand the implications of such laws? Look into it!

I propose these simple ideas for consideration:

• There ought to be a constitutional change in our society. The Government must set up a constitutional reform committee which will look into Bills for Parliament to make amendments.

• Penalties must be made tougher. Some penalties should result in strict prison time, no fines.

• Mortification is a must, we must make public the acts of criminals in an effort to drive fear in potential perpetrators.

• Parental workshops should be available for those who see the need to polish parental skills.

• We must invest in programmes which will resocialise our young people. I call on the National Youth Service to be more active in the work which they are mandated to do. Of course, an increased budget allocation is needed.

• Cluster groups must be created in our communities to serve as engines of ideas and to serve as mentorship bodies to our young men and women, which can heighten our moral standards.

• We must include our church in the programmes of the State. I continue to believe that the progress of our nation rests with the church and we ought to include our churches. Let it not be only when things get out of hand or become unbearable that we call on the church.

It is not too late. If Donald Trump can become president of the United States imagine what Jamaica can accomplish. We can be the place to live, work and raise families.

Zukie Jarrett

zukie.jarrett@gmail.com

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We will forget the election promise, not the tax

March 21, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

During the elections Andrew Holness and the Jamaica Labour Party made election promises to the electorate. One promise was that we would sleep with our doors wide open — no crime. He could not have thought we believed that one.

Now to satisfy another election promise, the nation’s poor, especially, will shoulder a heavy tax burden. Which is more important, taxing the poor in order to keep an election promise to a few, or telling that segment of our society that the election promise made to them cannot be kept?

One thing is sure, our people have short memories. We suffer from the proverbial “nine-day wonder”. After nine days all the election promises made and not kept are forgotten. We will go back to business as usual, as if nothing happened.

With this new tax burden, especially the gas tax, I am not so sure that the voters will forget.

Apart from what the Opposition People’s National Party will be saying, the hardship citizens will endure will be a constant reminder of a Government that imposed taxes that will be a burden on the poor to satisfy an election promise of tax relief for a few.

Authnel Reid

authnelreid@aol.com

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We must further Walcott’s quiet genius

March 21, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

In his epic work Omeros, Derek Walcott wrote of “a quiet culture that…slowly but sure… will change us with the fluent sculpture of time... strong as self-healing coral...”

He was the quintessence of that Caribbean culture, and his life’s work has surely changed our region for all time. He came to belong to the wider world, but we shall miss him most.

St Lucia, which made us proud in moulding him will, of course, miss him most of all.

We must rely now on that quiet culture his genius left us — and further it.

Sir Shridath Ramphal

Former Commonwealth Secretary General

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They always raid NHT... at least this time I’m getting ‘1.5’

March 21, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

The first raid on the National Housing Trust (NHT) by the People’s National Party (PNP) Government was in 2002 for the Emancipation Park development.

Then $5 billion was taken from the NHT to finance the education sector transformation programme.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, in 2006, then took $15 billion for the Inner-city Housing Project.

In 2008, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) attempted to take $45 million for a drought relief programme.

In 2009, the JLP attempted a raid of $500 million to consolidate the budget before the International Monetary Fund agreement, but was advised by the solicitor general that it was illegal.

From 2013-2016 a total of $45.6 billion was taken for budgetary support.

Now, in 2017, the JLP continues to take $11.4 billion annually. This time under a new IMF programme and towards the ‘$1.5-million tax break’.

The PNP spends NHT money for us, while the JLP lets us spend the money for ourselves.

The NHT rakes in billions annually in profit, then sits on it. While I don’t support any government raiding it, if no money was there to be taken the governments would’ve found somewhere else to raid.

According to a population and housing census (2011) by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, 21 per cent of our population squat, and some 20 per cent of our population pay rent. There are over 450,000 NHT contributors and some 300,000 do not qualify for real benefits. Finance Minister Audley Shaw said in his budget presentation that 397,083 people won’t contribute to PAYE anymore, that’s more the 129,000 people who didn’t contribute to PAYE back in 2015 when Dr Peter Phillips increased the threshold from $557,232 to $592,800.

Under the JLP’s $1.5-million tax break over 250,000 people stand to benefit in total, the JLP Administration wants $11.4 billion to help fund the ‘1.5’. As an NHT contributor I’d rather that, because I’m gonna benefit from the tax break. So this time I’m actually getting something, since it’s hard to negotiate the NHT red tape for a guy like me to qualify. So that extra money in my pocket can be used or saved for the future.

Under the PNP the money was spent on things like the education transformation, but also sweetheart deals and wastage. This time I know the full story.

Teddylee Gray

teddylee.gray@gmail.com

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Caught between the law and dreams

March 21, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

During the past weeks I have been following up on the discussion concerning Kingston College’s newly acquired Ugandan athlete Aryamanya Rodgers who, according to Jamaica Observer reports, found it difficult to travel to Jamaica, not because of funding, but rather due to travel issues which caused him to be delayed for the new academic year for both school and sports.

Sadly, I know well of these situations, especially when working with missionaries from as far as Poland, Philippines, Uganda, and Kenya, who have left family and homeland to serve our people here in Jamaica and had to encounter travel ordeals while seeking a flight through Germany to Montego Bay.

However, the argument against allowing Rodgers to participate in the upcoming boys’ championships is that, according to the law/rule of Inter-secondary Schools’ Sports Association: “An athlete must be registered before September 30 in order to participate in the championships.”

While rules are there to govern us so as to ensure everything goes well, we must also practise prudence and charity, especially in the field of sports, and knowing well of the situation young Rodgers went through so as to seek after his dreams in the land of great athletes.

I am not saying that we should relax the rule or throw it out but rather, in a situation like Rodgers’, we should extend the hand of mercy where it is indeed needed. We must also be aware that participating in Champs is something that happens once in our youthful years to bring glory to our respective schools, and indeed ourselves. In the spirit of Champs, in the spirit of charity and youthfulness, I therefore ask those who oppose Rodgers’ participation to allow him to foster such dreams so that they can become reality in the land of possibilities.

Roger R Goodwill

Roman Catholic seminarian

Archdiocese of Kingston

roger_goodwill14@hotmail.com

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A great piece

March 22, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

Desmond Allen’ s article in the Friday, March 10, 2017 issue of the Jamaica Observer, ‘Command performance; finance minister puts concern for youth at centre of budget presentation’ was a great piece. Glad that he drove home Audley Shaw’s point.

A lot more has to be done for our young people, many of whom are going in the wrong direction. The underdevelopment of our young people is a crisis that needs serious attention. Our young people are some of our greatest resources, and much more must be done to prevent them from heading in the directions of the cemetery and the penitentiary.

I listened to his budget presentation in its entirety and I must hasten to say that that aspect of his presentation I found most touching. As he highlighted his journey to academic height I reflected on my own, similar journey from Jamaica to the USA. And now that Allen has driven home the point, at some time in the near future I will be penning and submitting an article commenting on my experience in the hope that it will assist in motivating fellow Jamaicans here and there.

George Lawson,

Bronx, New York, USA

mrgeelaws@yahoo.com

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Please, fix Spanish Town Road!

March 22, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

I wish to register my disgust at the poor condition of Spanish Town Road.

The road is riddled with potholes and many who traverse the roadway now realise that, after going through the stoplight at the Weymouth Drive turn-off, your safest and best bet is to keep well right on the three-lane roadway as much as possible. Unfortunately, for me, I learnt this the hard way recently, after bursting both tyres on the left side of my car, having connected with a fearsome crater in the vicinity of the Riverton City community which, by the way, is poorly lit.

You can imagine my despair at being immobile with my two small children and a female friend in the car and faced with the prospect of having to change not one, but two tyres, especially when, like most people, I only had one spare. Thanks be to God this story has a good ending. I dialled 119 and spoke apologetically — was this a real emergency? — and sought assistance from the police, who came within 15 minutes and took me to a tyre shop on Molynes Road to get one tyre repaired, while I urged my female colleague to remain in the locked car with the children. To cut the story short, one tyre was vulcanised while the other is useless. I will now have to buy a new tyre.

I wish to say a big thank you to the lady and two men who were first on the scene to offer assistance. Also, gratitude to my colleague, her friend and her parents, who ensured the children remained safe while I was getting the tyre repaired. And to constables Thomas and Daley of the St Andrew South police division, as well as the 119 operator who sent help. Thanks also to an elderly resident of the community who, my colleague tells me, kept checking to make sure they were doing OK.

Finally, as a motor vehicle owner, consumer of electricity, petrol, and everything else that attracts General Consumption Tax (refer to 2017/18 tax package) I believe the least the Government can do is repair the roadways within a reasonable time frame, especially one as frequently traversed as Spanish Town Road. In short, just “give wi good road fi drive pon, please”.

Kiana Walker

Spanish Town, St Catherine

zednem.aka@gmail.com

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Portia’s parting shot

March 22, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

It was a hard-hitting, yet respectful final budget debate presentation befitting the exit of a former prime minister whose unyielding concern and advocacy for the welfare of the less fortunate in our society is etched in her lengthy political career.

Of course, “Sista P” is entitled to speak on behalf of those among us from whom she sprang. She is also entitled to join forces with an artiste such as Bounty Killer in speaking up on behalf of the poor. So much so her shout out that, “Ah no mi seh so, ah Bounty seh so,” fully sums up her parliamentary message to the Government of the day, delivered in Gordon House on Thursday, March 16, 2017.

It was a lasting parting shot coming from someone who has experienced, and would surely appreciate, the drama and the power that are wrapped up in the expression “ah no mi seh soh...”

The long-required economic platform that was erected by the Government that she led from 2012 to 2016 also entitles us to say that Portia Simpson Miller, by no means perfect, has clearly delivered.

And history will undoubtedly record and provide ample corroboration that “ah no wi alone seh soh”.

A J Nicholson

nicholsonaj1@gmail.com

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Pay the BPO tax

March 22, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

I totally support the Government’s 12.5 per cent tax on the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.

There are labour, overhead and other synergistic savings for these entities’ corporate structure when they locate here. In theory, if they are from the US, where the corporate tax rate is about 39 per cent, they would receive a tax credit from the US revenue authorities for the tax paid in Jamaica at 12.5 per cent (39 per cent less the 12.5 per cent) and pay the difference as US taxes.

Now, more in theory, if they pay no Jamaican tax at all, unless their is a tax sparing provision in the treaty, then they pay US tax at the full rate, as they have no Jamaican taxes to credit against their US liability. I only know of one such negotiated special provision and it was by Edward Seaga — a UK/Jamaica treaty, I believe.

However, this is the theory. In practice, the savings earned by having back office operations here is not often routed back to the US immediately for exposure to US taxes. And if the structure is legally correct, that profit can float in a tax haven tax-free for years. That is the cold, hard truth.

I have no sympathy for the BPO sector. It costs our Government money to educate our English speakers, to maintain roads, prosecute those who would steal lead sheets from your operations. Be a corporate citizen and pay your taxes without griping.

Susan Allen

susanallen112@gmail.com

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Tax break or burden?

March 22, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

It is that time of the year again when Jamaicans brace for the worst. It is a time at which Jamaicans have got accustomed to being sad. A time when the trust is betrayed.

The budget debate is not over in the country’s Parliament and already the mountain of taxes is hard to climb. The Government has employed an underhanded tactic of indirect taxes that is turning out to be worse than direct taxes. They made sure that the taxes were strategic, as there is no escaping them. This makes you wonder if there is a difference between direct and indirect taxes.

There has been an increase in the special consumption tax on fuel, imposition of general consumption tax on group health insurance, an increase on motor vehicle-licensing fees, and the reduction of the threshold on the taxable usage on electricity. Minister of Finance Audley Shaw tabled the increase of over $13 billion in new taxes before the House of Representative on March 9, 2017, and this all comes at a time when workers are anticipating the second portion of their election PAYE tax break promise.

Light is now being shone on the expressions, “A promise is a comfort to a voter,” and there are “tricks in politics“. The round of tax increases imposed will have a domino effect on prices, further eroding the already meagre stipend with which to budget.

The burden of taxes is breaking taxpayers’ bank books and they fear increases in bus and taxi fares, ground produce, and the many affiliated goods and services. This is not looking good, even as the unions get ready to approach the bargaining table for wage negotiations for their members. Don’t be surprised if the Government waves the white flag of wage freeze. This is really a burden for a promised break.

Hezekan Bolton

h_e_z_e@hotmail.com

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Garfield Higgins is right!

March 23, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

If Michael Manley’s devotees expected him to return to the socialist path in 1989 he immediately disabused them of that notion by stating emphatically, “The agenda of the 70s is dead.” He had been a great dream merchant but he had come awake unlike Hugh Dunbar, who criticises Garfield Higgins, and unlike the other Manley devotees, like Lance Neita and Michael Burke.

The socialist approach to political economy is fundamentally unsound because government’s command cannot match the magic of the market, and what Jamaica got from Manley was roughly 20 per cent economic decline, 25 per cent reduction in the people’s standard of living, and a ruined bauxite industry that should make Michael Manley’s name live in infamy. Instead of negotiating increased taxes and royalties, as would have been normal, he imposed a levy, and we were left with a shell. For the US$4 billion extracted in levy payments there is precious little to show. And all he had to offer was excuses for his failures. I remember that bit of graffiti: IMF= Is Manley Fault.

I am at a loss to find good reason to lionise Manley. His devotees argue that he brought “consciousness”. We didn’t need him to do that. That was Marcus Garvey’s gift.

Orville Brown

Bronx, New York, USA

thewriter.brown@gmail.com
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Tourism product is all Jamaica

March 23, 2017, 12:00 am
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Dear Editor,

In response to Omar Robinson’s comments in the Jamaica Observer, words to the effect of “keep the TEF separate from Consolidated Fund”, I must add a few points.

Robinson, who is currently president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), opposes the use of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) outside of tourism. On the contrary, I believe the TEF should benefit all Jamaica, we are the reason tourists visit.

The TEF Act was passed in 2004 and is funded from a tax (or fee) paid by incoming airline passengers as well as cruise ship passengers to fund the development of the tourism sector and improve the overall tourist experience. A large chunk of this fund is also attributed to the many returning Jamaican residents who visit the island regularly and desperately want to see Jamaica improve and prosper.

I agree with Gordon “Butch” Stewart’s suggestion to allow Government to use from this fund, but only if there is full accountability and funds are used for national development and improving the social well-being of citizens, health, education and social services especially.

There is widespread poverty in Jamaica, which impacts crime, a deterrent to tourism. Surely the JHTA is aware of that. The country is also heavily indebted and tied to the International Monetary Fund, which strangles national development and any hopes of improving the country’s infrastructure and services due to lack of funds. If necessary, the TEF Act should be amended to allow Government to use from this fund for other purposes besides tourism.

According to Robinson, “50 per cent is used to market the destination, while the other 50 per cent is used to maintain and develop the tourism product”. I should point out, the tourism product is not simply hotels and attractions, it is all of Jamaica — its culture, people, way of life, music, and so much more. If some of these funds is invested outside of tourism to improve Jamaica, we all benefit, visitors and citizens alike. Look at what is happening with Cornwall Regional Hospital, neglected and in dire need of repairs for years, to the point where it is now functioning under capacity. Many hospitals don’t have adequate equipment, supplies, etc. Some schools are rundown; we need more classrooms.

While I believe in consultation, JHTA must not be selfish. We must realise that a large percentage of profits from tourism doesn’t stay in Jamaica, as many of these properties are owned by foreign entities. This is why, despite the surge in tourism, we hardly see any change in the economy. It is time to change that. We all should benefit from tourism.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com

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