There
is a lot of discussion now-a-days about taxes and the concern over the
Government's stated intention to implement a Value Added Tax (VAT) on July 1,
2014.
This VAT is
correctly being called regressive, as it impacts the poor more than
anyone else. But make no mistake, it impacts everyone.
Accordingly, several alternatives are being suggested. Ideas like a Payroll Tax, Income Tax and Capital Gains have been floated.
Other people have advised that the VAT should be implemented at a lower rate or introduction delayed until the economy improves.
One
might draw the conclusion that some people think it is wrong to tax the
poor and more taxes should be taken from the middle and upper classes, but as a friend pointed out recently, if we suggest the government
has the moral right to tax, then arguing over who they take it from and
in what quantities and/or the form it takes is pointless.
While government is necessary to protect each one of us from the
other, does that give them right to create policies that harm us?
However, a government has a moral duty to be accountable to the
citizens of the country they lead. The Magna Carta of 1215 was the turning point of Kings powers
being limited and through the generations Constitutions were prepared to
protect citizens rights. In recent decades the political class has
attempted to reverse these gains and citizens have so far been willing
to give up their hard won liberties.
With rights however, responsibilities go hand in hand, and the "right" to tax is no different.
This debate gives the country an opportunity to ensure the government becomes as accountable as they expect each citizen to be.
Therefore, if one believes there is a moral "right" for government to tax, there must, by
extension, be a higher moral requirement on taking the money: The implicit responsibility to be accountable.
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