Why aren’t we talking much about it? Have you — like me — been wondering what we can expect in the matter of the proposed US tax on remittances and what it means in this thing about the Trump wall for Mexico? Why should we, Jamaican people, be held responsible for what is not ours? It is not our debt — not as far as I know. So why are they looking at us?

Why are we not talking, instead, about the true meaning of remittances, the modest but welcomed and necessary contributions which are sent from Farin to Yard? Remittances, most of the time, are reflective of the spirit of kindness, token of love, and respect from friends and family who are saying thanks.Remittance is when help comes from Farin to assist young people in need of support towards their education, or to give the aged access to medication and other forms of health insurance, or to help pay a bill or two.It is being said that, not long from now, remittances may be getting a blow. All over the Caribbean, remittances are a source of questioning from certain places. It is being said that an alleged two per cent tax may be taken from remittances coming to us to be used in building the Mexican border wall.There must be some mistake. Why us? Where will we get big money from? Poor likkle we!It is being said, in serious places abroad, that there will be no escape for us. Any country which doesn’t hand over the tax could expect some serious consequences, prison included. Joke or what?Word of remittances and the wall is already spreading abroad, but for whatever reason we here have not heard much from any official sources. Meanwhile, leaders in other areas of the Caribbean are openly expressing their doubts and fears. Other Caribbean people are not afraid to say they work and work hard to amass what they can to help their families and themselves to be prepared for later. They certainly don’t want to give it away, nor do we. But I still can’t understand why little or nothing is being said on the matter here. It is very strange. Maybe we’re living up to an old proverb: “Hand inna lion mout, tek time draw-i out.” There is no doubt that certain lions do more than roar…and we afraid of long teeth.Some very serious penalties could be slapped on any sender or company to pay up tax to be placed on remittance money. Those who don’t comply, it is said, could find themselves in ‘hot heat’. They will face a penalty not more than US$500,000 or twice the value of the funds involved. True or false?Failure to pay up could bring imprisonment, it is proposed, albeit not more than 20 years, but long enough for people found guilty of not settling the transaction fee. Really? Somebody seh so? It has been published elsewhere (abroad) that Jamaica received US$2.338 billion in global remittances in 2015, which means, apparently, that we have enough to give back to where it came from.Question 1: Will this be discussed in Parliament one day?Question 2: Remittance companies could not be resting easily now if some of what is being heard and is being said will come about. Why are we, as a free country, not discussing the questions more openly? Are we going to wait until one day troops arrive?Question 3: When will we, the people of our land, be prepared to deal with what could be ahead? Something could be happening, but do we care? Or if it is true, a secret is being kept? Really?Question 4: Did anyone tell Missa Trump that we rich like him? And he believe it? Is not a joke, you know? Seriously, though, I still don’t understand why the rest of the Caribbean seems to know something and we are not sure? What is really going on?I still cannot understand why information is floating around “Out There” on this matter, with the name of likkle Jamaica being included, but it’s not being fully recognised here. A recent news report said leaders in some areas of the region got together to discuss the matter. What of us? Do we know something that others don’t?So, what is going to happen when the ting hits the fan? It has not even begun yet, but it is not to be overlooked. What, then, if a day should come for us to pay up for what is not even going to be ours? It is frightening that we could become prisoners of the Mexico wall. It has not even begun and yet some countries are beginning to feel threatened. What will happen if we couldn’t or wouldn’t be able to pay what is being said? Will the thing show its true colours?The little that I have read so far makes me wonder if I suddenly lost my ability to read and understand. No joking! Apparently we will have to wait for the day when we will know fact from fiction.Nothing really surprises me. We’re living in some weird, weird times. I am willing, however, to hope that this one not true? Look yah nuh! Don’t joke wid me! 

Barbara Gloudon is a journalist, playwright and commentator. Send comments to the Observer or

gloudonb@yahoo.com.