A member of parliament who always gives the appearance of taking his role seriously is Jeffrey Bostic the former Defence Force Colonel and representative for the City. During one of his interventions in the Estimates Debate 2014-15 he reflected on the need for Barbados leadership to be motivated by the protracted economic crisis to think ‘outside the box’.
Those who listened to the Estimates Debate this week there was the feeling of same old same old. There was no feeling of anticipation in response to government programs to be rolled out. Many of the contributions reminded BU of what was observed on the campaign trail. It must be evident to the independents that bipartisanship in the House of Assembly at this time will always be elusive in our style of government.
The challenge for the government is one of spending wisely and finding creative ways to add new revenue streams. We can’t continue to maintain our conspicuous consumption lifestyle and stop finding ways to pay for it. It should have been obvious to the government after a couple years into the economic downturn that Barbados would have to take firm decisions to support our lifestyle. Austerity policies will always attract a hue and cry but it is a no-brainer to hurt a few to protect the many, it is one of the laws of nature.
The recent Article IV IMF report mentions the government of the day asked to delay the process until after the last general election. In other words winning a general election was placed above national interest. Barbadians were also reminded by a former DLP strategist that the campaign thrust was to attack BLP personalities and not the economy. It is a sad commentary Barbadians who are reputed to have an enviable education system were swayed by a platform message which targeted personalities and not more substantive issues. No wonder we have sane individuals who prefer to be governed under a benevolent dictatorship.
What can government do to raise revenue without squeezing the good guys some more? Although there has been no concerted effort by government to impose an aggressive sin tax strategy, there has been NO attempt to tap in on Barbadians love affair with gambling. Why has the government continue to give the private sector free rein to profit from gambling? The taxes gambling companies pay can never offset the ready market which exist in Barbados to guarantee profits.
During Minister David Estwick’s contribution to the Estimates Debate he made the point that as a country we need to determine the level of support we want to give to healthcare, BU adds education and transport. He suggested a 1% levy on incomes. BU says NO, no more taxes. What we recommend instead is for the government to establish a NATIONAL LOTTERY and the monies raised be allocated to support free healthcare as a good start. If in the guava season our consumption habits drive the government and others to profligate at the expense of a hard working middleclass, let us make decisions which will redirect gambling revenue to the government treasury and not a few millionaires.
Like prostitution gambling will not go away. The time has come to marshal our resources to the benefit of the many – plundering the NIS Scheme is not the answer.
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