Although this government has inherited a huge debt, I cannot believe that the International Monetary Fund has told them to crush the poor. Surely, our government has lost its head. Taxation of vegetables, fruits, sardines, meats, eggs, etc. is utter madness. To think that governments around the earth are aware of the terrible climate change and look to save polluting energy, and our government wants to tax solar water heaters!

Where are we going? Sewage-disposal systems with GCT, while we already pay for twice our consumption of water to cover the cost of sewerage.

Obviously, the rich must continue to be filthy rich while the poor, who are the overwhelming majority, must starve and fade away in deafening silence!

A non-violent protest is needed as well as non-cooperation in the payment of this tax. We cannot, and must not, accept this type of taxation.

Sylvie Grizzle.

Hanover

Can someone please explain the direction the finance minister is taking when GCT is slapped on ground provisions? In a time of global recession, when Jamaica should be looking at saving foreign exchange, isn't this the time when domestic production and consumption should be encouraged?

How can the government tax yam which is locally grown, yet exempt rice and flour which are imported? And how does the government collect GCT from someone in Coronation Market - when they cannot collect from large establish enterprises?

Instead of instituting a policy of national information automation by applying computer technology throughout the system where efficiency will allow the government to collect the billions of dollars that is owed, they continue to do the same thing their grandfathers did - increase taxes.

Verol Thompson

verol.thompson@sonic-planet.com

Atlanta, Georgia

The government is always looking for the easy way out. They need to start doing the job they are being paid to do - use their brain. I suppose at this point in the JLP administration the Jamaican people will just have to just wait them out.

Here are some suggestions to increase cash flow into the government's coffers: 1) cut government officials earning salary over $3 million by two per cent; improve the Inland Revenue's ability to track and collect taxes from delinquent taxpayers; increase property tax; reduce the life of driver's licence to four years; increase tax on alcoholic beverages; tax all lottery winnings up to 25 per cent; increase exports and cut frivolous spending within ministries.

Shaurnetta Russell

rassparadise@yahoo.com

South Carolina