The alternative proposal to the gas tax advocated by your columnist, Devon Dick, deserves, at least, a passing glance from the powers-that-be. Experience has taught and certainly shown that any kind of tax on petroleum products in Jamaica has led to widespread escalation in costs on a wide range of basic goods and services that ultimately affect the poorer individuals of our country.

As a result, the increase in the tax on gas will affect the cost of bread, educating our students, feeding our families, paying our rents, etc. At the same time, it guarantees a surer chance that those of the working class will be even more unlikely to meet their basic everyday needs.

Bad idea

Devon Dick suggested that the Golding administration implement a visa regime requiring all non-CARICOM citizens to obtain a visa before they can enter Jamaica.

To those who would argue that this kind of implementation would deter visitors to our Jamaican shores, take note of the following.

Our imposing a visitor's visa tax would actually increase the value of our country. It does so as it creates a psychological connotation of the importance of Jamaica to our foreigners. People like to know that they are members of an important unit. The visa requirement provides this aura of importance for those successful foreign applicants.

I am, etc.,

JOSHUA SPENCER

joshuaspencer@rogers.com

Toronto, Canada