Dear Editor,

A nation's tax system is often a reflection of its communal values and/or the values of those in power. Taxation is, understandably, a means by which governments finance their expenditure, but in Jamaica market distortion is the order of the day, which results in economic inefficiency.

It is preposterous that the Government of Jamaica finds it appropriate to inflate the rate of property taxes by 163 per cent. This is an indictment on the taxpayer. We are being subjected to pay an exorbitant amount of money for no economic infrastructure, welfare or public services.

To be a landowner does not necessarily mean that one will be financially capable of maintaining arduous taxes.

In a country that offers limited social mobility, the populace must be ambitious enough to protect their own interest, the well-being of their children, and they should organise against this injustice. Why is it that the Government of Jamaica insists on taxing citizens without proper representation? This country is one of the highest taxed places to live in the world, much less the Caribbean.

Our taxes have not contributed to the maintenance of roads and bridges. We have only been subjected to subsidising the excesses of our representatives and their indiscretions.

The American Revolution in 1776 was based on persons being taxed without receiving proper benefits, virtue was the goal, and corruption was the enemy, which is the greatest threat to liberty. Corruption has become an intricate part of our political principle and integrity is a thing of the past.

Jamaican people must not sit idly by and allow the Government to trample over not only their rights but their land. How many Jamaicans will be able to maintain their day-to-day livelihood and pay yearly land taxes?

I do believe that this massive increase is to hoodwink persons out of their property. The Government must think about production, how to maintain the deficit and debt instead of placing the brunt of the burden on the taxpayer, because the world does not count races and nations that have nothing.

Apart from taxing the poor, unemployed and underemployed, what ideas does the Government have? They must remember that a hungry man has no respect for law, authority or human life.

Reverend Tanasha Buchanan

tanashabuchanan@yahoo.com