Tuesday, June 04, 2019

Why Tax Policy Should Be Detailed in Affidavits

Charity is a cold grey loveless thing. 
If a rich man wants to help the poor, 
he should pay his taxes gladly, 
not dole out money at a whim.

Clement Atlee, Former British Prime Minister

Which affidavits? The ones candidates and political parties in the forthcoming general election will swear before we shortlist them as worthy of our votes. We’ve seen how irresponsible income and corporate tax cuts implemented since 2006 have extensively damaged the economy and the social fabric under three different PMs. While Navin Ramgoolam’s position on taxes during the past five years has oscillated between lowering them further to 13% for women and not raising them should he return to power. This is kind of worrying because it is the most urgent and important thing to do to avoid a significant degradation of an atmosphere that’s already pretty bad. So until we have recall elections and statute referendums we need affidavits and debates on their contents. Because politicians put something in their manifestos and then do the exact opposite.