Jamaica Gleaner Commentary
Published: Monday Sunday | April 26, 2009
EDITORIAL - The Budget in a time of crisis
Hopefully, the observation is not premature. But among the most important developments, so far, from the tax package announced last week by Finance Minister Audley Shaw, is the relative calm with which it was greeted, especially, the sharp hike in the tax on petrol. Read More...
Public affairs: The PNP's policy challenge
The People's National Party (PNP) enters the 2009-2010 Budget Debate with a problem; and it is a problem with which it will have to deal before the next general election, if it is to have any chance of success. Read More...
Taxes and the role of Government
This is a wonderful time to raise again some of the fundamental questions of political economy. The prime minister found it necessary to take the unprecedented step of making a national broadcast on the eve of the presentation of the revenue budget in Parliament by his minister of finance to prepare the nation for 'inevitable' tax increases. Read More...
The squatter index
The recent revelation by Dr Horace Chang, Minister of Water and Housing, that one-third of the people in Jamaica are squatters, is no trivial matter. In fact, after 47 years of political independence, it is a national tragedy. And if we cannot see the connection between the level of violence in our society and squatting, then the tragedy is even more profound. Read More...
Lessons from Singapore
The authorities in Singapore are projecting that the country's economy is likely to decline by six to nine per cent this year, which would not only be its worst performance in decades, but would put it among the most badly affected by the world recession. Read More...
