Food for thought on Channel 5’s “Questions and Reflections”
Turning to our question for today: Do you believe that the GST increase is affordable for consumers? Responses to this question will be aired this Friday. Send your comments to questions@channel5belize.com or a text message to SMART at 8686, or log on to our e-poll at www.channel5belize.com.
The GoB should cut its own budget first. Every ministry needs to cut its budget by 20% B4 taxing the people. Maybe big business could pay their fair share too, and don’t forget the casino.
Yes. However the question is designed for people to answer no. Taxes are never the palatable for anyone.
Gob focuses too much on collecting more taxes, and less on stopping wastage. Nobody questioned when Minister Marin bought a brand new Prado with our money. Government had money to spend on a needless $94,000 (without duties) when the Minister had a working vehicle already. Now, what would require that he be given such an expensive vehicle in these times to perform the job he is being paid to do already???? Why hasn’t Gob been able to find monies to re-build the burnt-down central laboratory, but can find money for a brand new Prado? Oh, they need to tax us more to do that? If Gob was in a such a difficult financial situation, why are there so many luxury vehicles with blue license plate (I have seen Lexus, Range Rovers and Buicks with these license plates)??? If Gob was in such a strap for cash, then they would not have lowered the casino tax. Or maybe, casino’s are more equal than the poor masses.
Wether they can afford it or not, people will just take it as it comes. Belizeans traditionally just adjust their lifestyle to cope with hardships; but this increase is just too much. It will cause an increase in the already high rate of crime; smuggling/contraband shall skyrocket; more homes will be broken and a decent life will just be beyond the reach of thousands of Belizean homes. When they government realizes what monster they created, it shall be too late to reverse the damage/effect it has had. Short term fixes almost never work!
The GST is affordable to those consumers with high incomes. Since the basic food items are exempt from the GST it is wise for the government to generate income by taxing those who can most afford the GST.
We have To Submitt To Our Goverment So The Country Prosper The Bible Say it
I dont know what “Bible” ti (above) reads but the one I read says: Obey the law of the land!!!!!!! I am a Christian and I SUBMIT myself only to JEHOVAH GOD, the Supreme being, the creator, the most high……I WILL NOT SUBMIT (BOW) to any other on this earth!!!!!!! What God teaches me is to MAKE PEACE with man and do what is good and pleasing to God. Thats what God means when he says “SUBMIT YOURSELVES ONE TO ANOTHER” ti. He also says that he does not make fools and to use “Wisdom” . Belizean are smart people and I think that they know when others are taking them for a ride, and this is not just a ride, its a FREE ride………
Taxes and Death go hand in hand! No Taxes!
.yes ….if they are taxing the rich people and their selve because they make good money…….
GOB needs to tighten the collection of GST from the Chinese Businesses & the Indian Merchants who are already underinvoicing and underpaying (literally ‘unda di counta”) to the GST collection officers or Business Tax assessors. Tighten the customs…stop di contraband!!! I don’t agree with the increase of taxes as it will only cause people to find more creative ways to not pay….
And we have at least THREE (3) more years of this. God help us please!!! Let’s all pray for our country … Holy Week is here… Maybe God will hear us.
NO MATTER IF WE CRY,SHOUT AND JUMP,we can’t do nothing its already approved by the majority of the [UDP} house of representatives,well they say they represent the poor people of this country -I don’t think so,they represent their pockets,its always what the UDP does every time them come in power remember the KILLA VAT ! when the ESQUIVEL gov’t came in power thats it, just that this is even higher now ! how will we survive now, the things that were supposed to have reduced TAXES are ,flour,beans,rice, powder milk, medications, even to apply for a new social security card [if u lost ur one} it gone up now from $15.00 to $25.00,whats that ! need to check on that,not reduce loncheon meat,washing machines, thatz already high to even think to raise the TAX on that , the most basic needs of our daily use are the ones to cut taxes- so how will the contraband trade end? its imposible our children comes first and even if the people have to risk their lives they will do beacause we have lost the faith on our GOVERNMENT, NOW WE CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE POSIBILITIES .
I believe that by putting the blame on the PUP will not do them better [UDP] the people elected them to work for the betterment of Belize, they are already in for nearly 3 years and have nothing to show,what they’ ve done ,unemployment is extremely high,crime is high, and raising TAXES will make it worst! stop victimising the people Mr.UDP’s,please don’t forget that some of the PUP’s voted u in,UDP can’t WIN without the votes from some of the PUP’s .The PUP voters that voted red will be the first ones to turn against this UDP administration ,it is important for the UDP leaders who are walowing in comfort and the luxuries of power to remember this. the people wants to see actions not talk-and talk and remember ,STOP UR VICTIMIZATION.
i think u should put all the blame on tne udp party.