Letters to The Editor
Rick Lowe: Mr. Halkitis case appears to be on shaky ground
By Rick Lowe, www.weblogbahamas.com
Sep 2, 2014 - 10:03:22 AM

According to press reports, "Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis yesterday suggested the government’s value-added tax (VAT) campaign is being negatively impacted by those engaging in “scare mongering” tactics and “predictions of doom and gloom”."

He claimed groups are "sort of riling people up" but he does not appear to have indicated what people are saying that is incorrect.

On one hand he says the economy will not be negatively impacted and on the other says he has a plan to lessen the impact on certain people.

So which is it?

The auto industry has done its homework and made representation based on the information the government has released so far and those numbers have not been challenged.

In addition, the Nassau Institute commissioned a study, and the information there has not been refuted by the government either.

Oh there's the statements like people are scaremongering etc, but the burden of proof rests with the government.

So far their case that the economy will not be impacted negatively by VAT is obviously on shaky ground especially as they say they have to create a welfare state to take care of some people because of the damage they see coming from the implementation of VAT.

If being concerned that businesses, that are already facing challenges, might have harder times and jobs may be lost and more is scaremongering and riling people up, so be it.

The track record around the region provides ample evidence of the destructiveness of VAT. Without proof from the government that our experience will be different, to think otherwise, seems to be false hope.

In other words, Mr. Halkitis and other proponents of VAT are obligated to prove their assertions with more than name calling and obscure statements.
Yours in Liberty,

Rick Lowe
www.weblogbahamas.com


Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his/her private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of TheBahamasWeekly.com

© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com -