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**ANTIGUAN** » 2010-09-15 03:04

You have agreed that desperate times calls for desperate measures, you are also aware that we are under the Shackles of the IMF, therefore your sugesstions to the Govt will only fall on deaf ears,infact they are about to do the exact opposite ,ie tax us more,so where & when do you think that those measures will ever be implemented. These times are indeed desperate times,so maybe it is time also for desperate measures, the consequences for desperate measures can never be worse than if we allow them to continue down this road.

**fnpsr** » 2010-09-14 13:59

It would be helpful if the government would provide a full accounting of monies received and monies spent. Based on what I have seen and heard, the government has not produced any audited financial statements for some time now and I don’t think it is going to do so anytime soon.

Please keep in mind that the government is under the supervision of the IMF. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Therefore, the government will do whatever is necessary to collect its money.

**fnpsr** » 2010-09-14 13:58

Disgusted, I am aware of what the article said, but I do no agree with the proposition. I agree with you that you cannot do anything about the deduction of taxes from your pay. I would also not advocate any king of civil disobedience in the form of not paying property taxes and car registration. This will cause more grief than you will imagine. The point I made in my post was a suggestion of how the government could lower taxes and help to stimulate the economy and thereby helping to improve the lives of its people.

One of the ways and probably the most effective way to bring about change is to hold your representative accountable. If your representative is holding meetings, you have to attend and ask the tough questions. If you want low taxes you have to find a candidate that believes in lower taxes. Unfortunately, the cat is already out of the bag, and you may have to wait until the next election. You cannot keep sending the same people back into office and expect them to do something different.

**Disgusted** » 2010-09-14 12:32

We all know we must pay taxes, i think what the article is saying, we should Boycott the Govt by holding back our taxes until they can give us a detailed account of where our monies has gone, i do not know how this could be done, but one thing i know is that at this time we need to take some sort of action,and not just marching on the streets, we must do whatever it takes to stop this Govt from plundering us any more, How can it be,that the Govt is thinking of charging more for Oil, that in itself is an outrage,the Million$ question is are we going to allow it to happen.I say like the writer, Time to Boycott the Govt.@ Antiguan, we may not be able to stop the automatic deductions, we can start with Property taxes, Vehicle License's etc, sometimes we have to suffer to conquer.,They Cannot sell 20,000 Properties,or impound 20,000 vehicles. Who is buying anyway?

**Morris** » 2010-09-14 11:46

You guys are spot on. As a matter of fact fnpsr some of those points that you raised sonds very familiar to some I've echoed in the past (lol). I think that our government has forgotten one of the basic tenets of financial success is to provide quality goods and service at reasonable prices which in turn create wealth through a loyal following. Instead they think that the road to economic success is by taxing the hell out of businesses, locals, tourists and goods and products.

**Buzzbomb** » 2010-09-14 06:56

Great article Dr. Jacobs.
The people are justified to be outraged at the 'tax and squander' policies of this government. Especially since we have crumbling infratructure, a couple of white elephants being taken back by nature, the country is broke, broke, broke and can't even make payroll. And our national debt has increased whilst I and many others are out of work.
They don't get it, but your words may help.

**Dig It** » 2010-09-14 04:34

A very good article! Without a doubt we need to hold the UPP government accountable for mismanaging the people's tax monies. Almost three billion of it! I believe that it's about time the people of A & B stand up and ask this government to show the paper-trail of their hard earned money. We're too lay back on the matter, which is why this government lacks respect for us, and, think they could do whatever they want with our money. However, I just don't see us (A & B) refusing to pay taxes as a political protest because many of are not brave enough to take action! And, then, you have some of us who blogs on this site everyday, who totally turned a blind eye to this government's incompetence, and defend them without a hesitation. These are the same people that put party over country, and would say and do anything to deter other reasonable A & B from commenting on their "Sunshine" government! It's a shame. Only in Antigua, I must say!

**fnpsr** » 2010-09-14 04:18

The embarkation tax in my mind is too high. Tourism is you main product and after a visitor spends a great deal of money to get to the island, rents a car, stays in a hotel, eats in the restaurants, shops, takes a tour of the island, and the like, he should not have to pay a high fee in order to leave the island. Additionally, the embarkation tax should be the same for all and all should have to pay it. I also believe that the hotel tax of around 25 % is too high. By lowering this tax, the tourist would have more money to spend in the local economy. Moreover, by lowering the hotel tax, when a tourist is looking for a place to go, a low hotel tax could be a deciding factor in his decision.

Tenm an, I agree with your post!!

"Let’s fix the little things before we attempt to work on the big things”

**fnpsr** » 2010-09-14 04:17

The government has a fundamental right to impose some form of taxation, because without which, it could not provide the services that the people want and demand. The question is what is fair? From my vantage point it is not fair to tax food, especially when the island of Antigua cannot produce sufficient food to feed its people. Therefore I believe that the tax on food should be eliminated or very negligible. It is not fair to charge an import tax on building materials and supplies, as again, Antigua does not produce any such items. The imposition of this tax causes the price of lumber and the like to be passed on to the consumer and takes money out of circulation and creates higher end products. The import duty on cars should not be almost as high as the price of the car. Again, Antigua does not manufacture any cars so there is no competition. Again, you are taking money out of circulation and at the same time creating hardship for the people with high car payments. The ABST is definitely too high. A reasonable amount would be in the range of 5 – 8 percent. By lowering the ABST, the people will have more money to spend.

**Antiguan** » 2010-09-14 02:44

Excellent article, i will be # 1 on the train, however how will we deal with the taxes that are automatically taken from us?

**Skye Williams** » 2010-09-13 23:37

Tenman, I understand where you are coming from and you are right, businesses have no choice but to close down. If i want to work for the government I would apply for just that. In any event the VOTE will stop ANY government in it's tracks, unless there is a plan to not let go of power even if VOTED OUT. The writer is a sensible thinking person so why is he talking this way? I don't believe the writer is advocating violence, but is warning, that don't mean it won't come. Tenman, do you remember a few months ago I said that before this year end Antigua is going to see troubles it has never seen? Well here they come. I believe Mr. Lovell is doing his best. He need to chill with the tough talk cause he can't fight the massive, Any sensible business minded person know that you can't tax people out of business and expect them to be able to pay. They keep blaming the people, the world economy, down seasons and everything except themselves, They need to take ownership. the island need reform in sections not all at one time. The creation of Enterprise/Empo werment Zones and a tax holiday will stimulate the economy. Reduce spending outside Antigua and stop BSing people.

**tenman** » 2010-09-13 22:27

Yep you can do it as a form of protest but as persons like the current finance minister said, be prepared to deal with the consequences. I am with the writer in regards to the lack of accountability and the need to hold the government accountable. But let me suggest that persons will not be standing with you when the government is forcibly selling your property. Honestly some of them will probably make a bid.
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