I don’t understand how a government is allowed the benefit of years to show evidence of its work; for us to realise the positive effects of its implementation of educational reform, new security measures and employment opportunities, yet we the people are not allowed a similar grace period to adjust to the new financial order and are instead given a mere month’s notice to absorb and cough up the cash for an aggressive new slate of taxes.

We appreciate some of the back-pedalling this Government has done on its tax plans, but we think the Administration may have needed a little more time to get it right, for clearly it created and presented a tax package without first considering the needs and abilities of the people who will have to pay for it.

A great deal has happened since the Budget was first tabled, so much so it causes one’s head to spin. We were first promised that General Consumption Tax (GCT) would be removed from electricity bills. During the month some of us had our most recent state-of-the-art meters replaced by new, not-optional “smart meters” at our homes, courtesy of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS). Coincidentally, these “smart meters” were installed just prior to when children are out of school (and thus use more light at home), and when it’s hotter than hell outside requiring the use of more cooling systems.

Ironically, the new meters indicate higher usage by approximately, on average 200kWh for the month. Subsequently we learned that no GCT will be charged on the first 200kWh usage but we also learn that because of the more accurate readings by the super-sensitive meters the JPS now has the right to back-bill for two months’ worth of electricity plus interest. Then we are told that there will be no GCT charged on the first 300kWh usage, but the tax on the remainder will move from 10 per cent up to 16.5 per cent.

In that same month, GCT is reduced by a whopping one per cent on just about everything, but is then now applied to basic food items which we never paid taxes on before. No tax on chicken, but the inputs into growing one are taxed, and then not taxed. Fish has become even more of a delicacy because there’s tax to pay there too, but only if you’re a fish importer. And while we won’t be taking our men out for Father’s Day — prices too high, gas too expensive, and uncontrollable rats in our favourite restaurant zones — our other recreational activity: the reading of a good book, the sipping of a good aged rum, and talking to friends locally and abroad on the phone have also been taxed. If you, dear reader, can figure out the householder’s net gain or loss from the tax-no-tax activity, then you should apply for a job at the Ministry of Finance.

If you’re a business owner, then the cross-the-board $60,000 tax, irregardless of the type of financial year you had, will have many small businesses rethinking the underground option. You professional gals need to watch out too, ’cause when the harmful activities of smoking and drinking become taxable offences, then illicit sex, we know, is next on the list. We’re only grateful that they haven’t figured out how to tax having sex with our husbands and lovers.

We can only imagine how severely our bare bones, meagre existences will be carved and cut further. We can only imagine the lengths and heinous depths to which people will resort to “eat a food”. When we’re willing to turn a blind eye to the financial ruin of the elderly by our lottery scammers, because as one woman said, “Lef dem. Dem a mek dem own wuk ’cause nutten nah gwaaan udderwise”, then our old people no longer hold value for us. When a woman can be a party to the holding down of her daughter so that her boyfriend can rape her for $500, then our young people no longer have a future.

These are difficult times Mr Finance Minister, and when we see you on television reiterating to a reporter the inevitability of severe austerity measures to be levied against us, don’t stand in front of a gleaming BMW Government vehicle. If we’re taxing imports to the hilt to stimulate local manufacturing and production, then with all due respect to the superb German car manufacturers, all members of Government should drive one of those cars made in Jamaica by Patrick Marzouca.

Marzouca has been manufacturing the ‘Island Cruiser’ car since 2000. Up until January of 2011 he was still taking orders for export. Priced at US$15,000 each, these brightly coloured, two-door, fibreglass-framed, low maintenance vehicles have a five-speed automatic engine that can reach a speed of up to 170 km per hour. They get 44 miles to the gallon at speeds of 80 kilometres per hour, convertible top and air-conditioning are optional.

Brand these vehicles with our national colours so we can identify a Government minister from miles away and we may have a meaningful indication from our Government that it is willing to cut corners right alongside us and support local manufacturers to boot.

scowicomm@gmail.com