Wednesday 23 April 2014

Unjust New Tax

The nation was in uproar last week as Finance Minister Dr. Peter Philips made an announcement that would most certainly not have been treated as welcome news by a long shot, effective June 1 all withdrawals from financial institutions will now attract taxes particularly transactions at the ATM, according to the minister this new measure was concocted by the government in order plug what they describe as a gap in the budget and is expected to rake in JMD $6.7 million.
                     
Naturally as one would expect there was a major public outcry at this new tax imposition from all sectors of society given the harsh economic climate and extended depression currently facing the country, everyone from the parliamentary opposition to the private sector and civil society and even the churches have all come out swinging at this most unjust imposition and rightly so.  People everywhere are calling on the government to reconsider its position before it’s too late and given the already negative perception about the government being thieves and their ineptitude in managing resources, it is truly saddening that this government would take such action at a time when unemployment is at an all-time high even and especially among tertiary graduates while economic prosperity is low as is morale. This administration came to power promising improvements in the economy but all they really did is make things worse. People are already suffering enough as it is without this newest measure that only serves to add insult to injury.
            

As many persons have already rightly acknowledged scheme is little more than robbery on the government’s part, persons have placed their money in banks for safekeeping bearing in mind that the bank itself also has it’s own bank charges which in itself as already a sticking point for many and now the government seeks to drive a nail in the coffin of the Jamaican economy because now many people and particularly businesses will try as best as possible to refrain from or limit their dealings with the banks and what’s worst those who can afford to will even place their money in overseas banks and that will most certainly not be good for the local banking sector.During the economic recession of the last decade, banks in many country collapsed, went under and had to eventually be bailed out by their governments. No such thing happened in Jamaica because the then JLP administration put in place mechanisms to ensure that our banks stayed afloat. But then came the general elections of 2011 and the ushering of the PNP into power, since that time our economy worsened more than ever before, our dollar skyrocketed as did unemployment and now comes  the government  who seem relentlessly  intent on destroying our banking system and the livelihood of the local populace with it.
What about “giving to Caesar his due?” an ignorant few may ask, ”doesn't the government need taxes to run the country” , anybody who is thinking clearly will know that what a person places in his or her  bank account is actually their disposable income, what they have left over after the government has already taken their due which includes P.A.Y.E., NHT, Education Tax and the like,  that is where the new taxes is coming from, so in essence this is basically like a man going for a second helping of dinner when he has already has his meal, can you see how unjust this truly is?
                 
This government is once again displaying that it truly does not have a clue as to how to manage the nation’s economy, I have said it before and will repeat, fiscal prudence and conservatism is the only way out if Jamaica’s economy is to improve, this new tax measure is neither conservative nor prudent.  There is discontent everywhere with many of those who voted to put this administration into office now regretting their choice, there is not much more that people can take and already there are talks of strikes, protests and some have even suggested a revolution to overthrow these circus clowns who are really a sorry excuse for a government, this will not end well  if things continue on this path, but all is not lost, seeing as  the date announced for the collection of this latest tax has not yet arrived, the budget debate is not yet over, there is still time to repeal this draconian measure. This government claim to rule based on people power and the “will of the people”, therefore it would be wise for them to listen to the people now and withdraw the tax before it is too late

Thursday 17 April 2014

Religious vs Secular morality

It’s been a while since last I wrote but as of late an issue came to light that I feel I must comment on, as it regards to secular interference into the affairs of the Church, a few weeks ago a newspaper story broke out that students at the Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Jamaica, in institution owned and operated by the Seventh Day Adventist Church were suspended after performing a cheer-leading ritual that depicted scenes that look to promote homosexual lifestyle, it also subsequently reported that said students were also barred from participation in any further activities during their remaining time at the institution due to their lack of regard for the student code of conduct as set forth by the university which they say are guided by the principles of the Church itself.
                
However I’m not here to take about the action taken by the university but rather the public reaction to the university’s action. I’m amazed to see the amount of public outcry that erupted as liberals wasted no time vilifying both the University and the Church that owns it, some of the more common descriptions are “travesty of justice”,  “ridiculous”, “outrageous” and these were only the nicer terms that they used. Some even went as far as to claim that the university is  imposing it’s values on it’s students and call their actions a violation of the principles of “separation of church and state” while accusing the Adventist Church of not holding up the ideals of religious liberty. I cannot help but wonder how ridiculous people can get with these absurd comments, it is a known fact that the Adventist Church has always been a keen supporter of the principles of religious liberty in whatever country they are situated, and in a country like Jamaica where the influence remains every strong, they are among the loudest voices to raise the alarm whenever the concept of religious liberty seem to be under threat. As for separation of Church and State, that claim is just as unfounded seeing as the University is owned  and funded by the Church and not the State, therefore it’s only natural that Adventist principles and practices should take precedence in a Church-run institution, that principle applies not only for Adventist but also for the Catholics, Anglicans, Baptist or any other religious body that operates a similar institution, the University is run by the Church and is not publicly owned thus separation of Church and State does not apply.
               
I must make note of a newspaper article written by the professor from another university concerning the issue, in her writings this professor (who shall remain nameless)  actually goes as far as to claim that the Church is “suffering from performance anxiety and wrestling with alternate sexuality” . To illustrate her stance, she raises the point where the church held a summit in South Africa in order to address the problem, she was careful to point out that No- Known LGBT Adventist were invited to attend, I wonder if it ever occurred to the professor that no such persons were invited because they are not recognized by the Church? The last time I checked, being affiliated with the LGBT community was enough to warrant excommunication (or disfellowshipping) within the ranks of the Church and seeing as only members in good standing would be invited to attend such a conference, then it’s highly unlikely that any member of the LGBT community would warrant an invitation. She goes to call the Church’s view one-sided and prejudiced, she ended by  thesis by calling on the Church to be more tolerant and open to the idea of allowing LGBT persons to join its ranks.
             
As I read through the responses of persons to the incident at NCU particular that of Professor (Nameless), I cannot help but notice that all the criticisms are coming from outsiders who preted to be enlightened and objective but in truth have a more sinister agenda, it leads me to wonder what right do these people have to go interfering internal business of the Church especially since they themselves most certainly aren't members, not with views like that. What I find awfully odd about secularist is that they love to complain about how churches  likes to impose it’s views on other people, yet  they themselves are guilty of the exact same thing by trying to get involved in the affairs of Churches. I mean seriously? To suggest that the Church should start accepting gay persons into it’s ranks? She might as well suggest that the Church disband altogether. Instruction on marriage and family life as well as guidelines on Christian behaviour are among the core beliefs of this faith, any change whatsoever in such a fundamental teaching will shake the very foundations of the church itself and  most certainly not go over very well with most traditionalist Adventist, if any Adventist at all.  The Seventh Day Adventist Church was founded upon core principles and those who wish to join must either abide by the rules or make their exit, the no outsider has any business telling the Church what rules it can keep and which it should discard, the Church’s principle should by guided solely by Biblical principles as well as rules set out in it’s own canon law, and not by the whims of some liberal who feels that having the title of “Professor” automatically makes her a know it all.

                             
I applaud the church for taking the stand that it took and fully support the decision of the university to stand it’s ground and not be swayed from outside pressure by those who have neither the best interest of the church or the best interest of the university at heart, in a country and a world over run by liberals and cultural Marxist, it’s good to see the Seventh Day Adventist church raise the standard high, standing for good spiritual morals and upholding traditionalist family values.