Dear Editor,

I sat into a forum earlier this week and was left deep in thought as one of the presenters announced that, “In true democracy, there is a voice for all.” Afterwards, I found myself contemplating whether Jamaica is truly a democratic State.

Over the past few weeks I have been watching with great concern as various individuals, organisations, and the parliamentary Opposition have voiced their discontent with what they term as an “unconscionable and unbearable” tax package.

To these claims, I agree.

We are all experiencing very harsh economic realities. Yes, I understand that we are under an International Monetary Fund Stand-By Agreement, which is a contributing factor, but at the same time the citizens must be placed at the front of concern for such decisions.

It cannot be that so many people have objected to these tax measures yet the Government seems to have them cemented in stone.

Take into consideration a university student who lives outside of the Corporate Area and already can hardly afford to attend university, but has to be paying rent, nonetheless, as there is absolutely no alternative. Take into consideration that student’s landlord who is now faced with a 300 per cent or a 1,000 per cent increase in his property taxes and decides that the rent has to be raised. How will this be handled?

I would love to see the Government make pragmatic decisions. When was the last time, before the property taxes, that something increased by 1,000 per cent? If the Government honestly believes this move is fair and practical, why not then increase people’s salaries by 1,000 per cent?

I understand, too, that the Government has based its decision on the property valuations. That cannot be it in making these significant changes. A better approach would have been consultation with the people to sensitise them about these changes and give them time to plan and save. After all, Abraham Lincoln once said: “Democracy is government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Kimberley Thompson

International relations student

Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network volunteer

kimberleythompson81@yahoo.com