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Two wrong moves

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Dear Editor,

The people of Jamaica voted in the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Government with much expectation. Chief of which is the $18,000 income tax relief. I recall that the people of Toronto also voted in Rob Ford as mayor a few years ago with the promise of a $60 motor vehicle tax refund. They received the tax refund and the rest of Mayor Ford’s tenure is history.

As it relates to the JLP’s promise, I can only say if it is too good to be true, it probably is. Where will the shortfall come from and how much more will it cost the people for goods and services for a meagre $18,000?

I am no expert in economics, maths or politics, but my sixth sense tells me that salaries will be manipulated to maintain equity, which will in turn mean less collection for the Government. Companies paying higher tax will be forced to reduce the workforce resulting in the loss of jobs. Further, the $18,000 will be lost in the wallets of the public for those who receive it, as a result of a possible increase in General Consumption Tax and other policies aimed at filling the void in the government coffers.

“Wha deh pon monkey back have to come under his tail.” It is clear that the refusal to sell the four-year-old vehicles to the former ministers is vindictive and hypocritical. I believe it has nothing to do with saving the country’s money. A four-year old vehicle that has traversed the hills and valleys of Jamaica has little book value. Further, the cost of maintenance, service and ultimately replacing them in a short while will cost much more than selling the vehicles in goodwill to the previous ministers who have sacrificed and served the country well. The age of used vehicles imported into Jamaica was reduced from five to three years, in part to avoid old vehicles coming into Jamaica and costing the country valuable foreign exchange in motor vehicle parts.

I would hope that the policy of the JLP Government would be much more objective. It will be interesting to see how quickly they will be replaced, and with what.

When you are being vindictive and hypocritical it forces you not to be able to see beyond your nose. Your motives must be so pure that God Almighty can see nothing to rebuke.

We all know that actions speak louder than words. Therefore, speeches of partnership and a new way of governance mean nothing if not put into action.

Ana Lysis

fruitcakeja@yahoo.com


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