All these taxes crushing economy and people

I am very concerned about the poor in this country, especially those living below the poverty line and those who are umemployed and have nothing to do.

My late grandfather always told me: “The devil finds work for idle hands to do”. Therefore, crimes of every sort will emerge and escalate.

As I come face to face and interact with the public in supermarkets, on the beaches, in churches, at gas stations and wherever, it has become abundantly clear that the performance of the Government is an “open book” for all to see and read. Every segment of our society is echoing the same chorus: “We need a change.”

To make a real change, Government must therefore come clean with the people to create a bond. The stage is ripe for honesty, and anything short of it will backfire. Remember, one cannot promise something, knowing that the promise cannot be fulfilled under the current circumstances.

Governing or leadership is about vision, creativity and compassion. It is definitely not about continual taxation, which will bring the wheels of many an economy to a halt, just as applying brakes do to a car.

Barbados and Barbadians are grappling with the following problems:

• The National Social Responsibility Levy is a burden.

• A struggling economy.

• Multiple downgrades.

• Low foreign reserves.

• High unemployment.

• Printing of money.

• High national debt, to mention a few.

From a layman’s perspective “our huge unnoticed enemy” is the reduction of one’s disposable income. This reduction in disposable income is another form of devaluation.

In other words, devaluation is having to pay more for less consumer durables. Since God alone knows the future, let us pray that our currency does not suffer an actual devaluation. 

– REV. EARL CLARKE