Why the property tax must be axed

In and out of amnesia I remembered during a political campaign a certain political party promised never to bring back property tax. Maybe my hearing was impaired or my command of the English language did not allow me to understand the statement.

Didn’t numerous governments expound policies of poverty eradication? Is there a new definition of this lowly status? Less is better or richer? The country is asked to “cut its size to fit its cloth.” But we all know that TT is really the masses.

When VAT was first implemented, wasn’t it intended to be a temporary measure? Today it is part of the family. NIS pensions were to reflect the contributions made. Now Tom, Dick and Harry all enjoy the same amount.

The Health Surcharge was inflicted on the population to improve the healthcare system. Now who cannot afford better can die safely in the public hospitals. The poor man now views governments as legal pickpockets. The bar has been lowered with guns held to our heads under the guise of property tax.

Whatever the financial situation of the country, the have-nots and the haveless are always called upon to make sacrifices. All those high-ranking government officials who will receive the same salary as pension should be asked to forgo such luxury.

Politicians have us in this mess and my performance appraisal of their work will suggest they should undergo a cut in salary until the country returns to normalcy. Their word is never their bond yet we called them honourable.

The poor have kept faith in the system and expect that if money is a problem governments should try to improve their efficiency in its usage and trim the fat of “obese” government officials first before increasing the burden on the masses.

Any further taxes or belt-tightening or cutting of size is sure to entrench poverty.

If they find that TT is more difficult to manage and they can’t take the heat, then my advice to them is to get out of the kitchen.

Despite the misgivings of governments, I will still render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.

LENNOX FRANCIS Couva