Taxing people into ground without fear

The candidates in the US presidential race seem to be concerned about how the people would react to their policy statements, with Hillary Clinton trying hard to eliminate the perception of her as “one not to be trusted”, and Donald Trump focusing on jobs and the economy to woo the people.

Do some of the policies of this Government, especially the fiscal, demonstrate this concern for public reaction? How will the people react to the plans for GATE or the threat to haul in VAT offenders, or higher fines for speeding, or job cuts in public agencies all seemingly part of the Government’s thrust to rein in “elusive” money, of which so many seem to be guilty? Objectively, this may not be so objectionable, for with decreased oil and gas revenues, and with no real revenue-making structures in place, save perhaps Lotto, the Government has to make money to run the country, and how else but to tax the people directly and indirectly.

But will the people see such “taxation” as just? Won’t they ask about the creativity of the Government in formulating developmental structures to bring in revenue, or with that, won’t they also inquire about what is being done to recover the monies stolen or mismanaged previously? It is a given that no people accepts as just any government policy to tax them. Just look to Greece and Spain. Belt-tightening, no matter how seemingly just, is a no-no, for it touches the people where it hurts the most, that is in their pockets, and their retaliation is often decisive, directed against the politicians who are responsible.

But this Government, in this race-driven environment, does not have to worry about the “politics” of its alienating fiscal policies, for the tribe, if even driven into the dust, will vote “race”, forgetting the issues, joined by the lobbyists supporting the Government to serve their own interests.

But this is not singular to this administration. It’s part of our political culture, for previously, with all the thieving and corruption and mismanagement that would have driven the last group out of office, its tribe and lobbyists would continue to fawn and beg in the present, holding up the political miscreants of the past as heroes, hoping for a return to the trough.

So this Government, or any other government, in this kind of adversarial ethnic environment can tax the people into the ground and even as they grumble and gnash their teeth, they will once again submit to their primordial instincts of aligning with the tribe. And the politicians in this country know this and will continue to exploit this phenomenon to the core.

Dr Errol Benjamin via email