Finance seems to be the most controversial issue for several months since the present government took office last year. Whose fault? Not the DP. I mean; blunder after blunder. This is the same government that could not have submitted a budget on time, they could not have balanced it, and then the people woke up one morning only to read a headline that goes "St. Maarten submits request for Turn-over tax increase". It was the DP who shouted and screamed "bad idea!" joining the chorus of many disgruntled person within our community including business owners. Only later to hear the leader then proudly says St. Maarten withdraws turn over tax request. There were other options, but they find a TOT increase was most fitting. But mind you, the turn-over tax increase is the language this government speaks again!
In their usual excuse to their blunders, they claim to say they are cleaning the mess of the previous executive council. So, I took the time to return some pages back to 2009 and it was the CFT in its preliminary advice to the former Commissioner of Finance, stating that the overall quality and figures that were presented in the 2009 budget, presented by the DP, are to their satisfaction so, I am not convinced that the present government inherited a mess. The present coalition government simply lacks vision.
After all, the government now opens a new door for more controversial headlines with the latest! Change of tax system without the calendar year finishing and doubling the turn-over tax. Together, we are indeed moving forward! Forward to where?
Let me quote from an article that has been written by the NA; "True "Country above Self" puts people above party politics and personal gain. It is about working together for St. Maarten. It is about building people up, not tearing people down." They are contradicting their very own statement. It's either they are looking to close businesses or to drive up the cost of living. Are they ringing such an alarm? I think the government tax talk is about making the rich richer and the poor poorer.
This is the government whose supporters are proudly proclaiming; the NA have done so much in one year, but how much of these projects were initiated by the NA? And those that were NA-initiated projects; how well were they done? It's a political year and this government seems to be rushing to score political points whether it's good or bad. Their approach is simply not in the interest, nor the progress of the soon-to-be country. It is more about "doing" to get political mileage, but you know; all in all we can see who really posturing for the next election! And when that time comes again they must be held accountable for their approach as anything sealed for Country St. Maarten will govern us people for several generations.
Exactly, what the present government intends to do with the business community and the economy of St. Maarten remains a big question. However, I wish to advise the NA to take a read in the book of economics, written by the DP and read it. Apparently, they are lagging behind BIG time.
Mario A. Gumbs