Bring back land and building tax instead

We are supposed to pay taxes, but not this property tax.

Present Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley was against the property tax when it was brought to Parliament in 2009 by late prime minister Patrick Manning. He said in the Lower House on December 18 that year that there was anger, anxiety, and resentment over the tax.

He added that if the government had handled the largesse properly there would have been no need for the tax.

He said the government, which he was a part of, brought the tax in the worst possible time, alluding to tough economic times.

He said the people were not against paying the tax but were upset that the measure was taken at a time when they were struggling to make ends meet.

So Rowley was against the property tax in 2009 when the economic situation was much better than it is today — when things are bad in the country — but he brings it back now. What kind of logic is that? We have to pay our taxes, but not this property tax they are trying to force down people’s throat. People are scared, frustrated, and confused.

People are losing their jobs daily. Some cannot afford to pay their mortgages and are losing their homes. And the Government comes up with the bright idea that this is the best time to implement this property tax.

Many people are upset about it but are not talking, because we are a pack of hypocrites. It is hurting us but we do not have the guts to stand up for what we want.

When someone pushes you, you are supposed to push back.

I urge the Government to hold off on the property tax and bring back an improved land and building tax.

This is not the time for that property tax.

Let good sense prevail, PM Rowley and Finance Minister Colm Imbert.

MODICIA MARTIN via email