When you read this article on Wednesday, March 31, you will be only hours away from feeling the first crushing blows of the new taxation regime imposed by Mr. Barrow. Those taxes, calculated to bring in somewhere around $110M in new revenue for GOB's coffers, will take effect on April 1 – April Fool's Day. The day of its implementation is fitting, because the Prime Minister is indeed taking Belizeans for fools when he blithely refers to the worst budget Belizeans have even seen as 'Recovery Today…Prosperity Tomorrow!' Under this Barrow administration, there is little hope for recovery and the only prosperity being enjoyed is by Mr. Barrow and the UDP.
As Belizeans head out to celebrate the first day of the Easter Holidays, the price of goods and services will have already gone up. As we go to press, businesses have already started adding a note on invoices stating that as of Thursday, General Sales Tax of 12.5% will be implemented on all goods. Shopkeepers have already started to increase the cost of basic goods on their shelves. Professionals are already preparing to increase the cost of services offered. Barrow claims that his increase in tax will somehow be good for the poor of Belize. But the reality is that the 25% increase in GST will directly and negatively impact those that can least afford another hit in their pockets.
On Thursday, March 25th, Leader of the People's United Party John Briceno and the members of the Opposition blasted Mr. Barrow and tore apart his budget which will hurt poor people and further cripple the economy. Not one of the members on the UDP side was able to provide a credible defense of the budget. Instead they ranted and raved hysterically in an attempt to distract from the dismal reality. On Friday, Mr. Barrow smugly defended his budget, claiming that nobody was outside on Independence Hill protesting. Since then, the NTUCB, the Chamber of Commerce and tourism stakeholders have issued releases condemning the budget, claiming that it revealed a lack of planning and consultation and will be an unbearable burden on taxpayers.
Only a fool would attempt to take something from those who do not have. Because of Barrow's April Fools Budget, it will be the worst of times economically. It will be the worst of times socially. It will be the worst of times in every respect. Life has become hard and brutal for a majority of Belizeans.
Crime and violence are at an all time high. As we go to press the most violent bank robbery in Belize's history has taken place. The prison is packed to overflowing with young, strong men who have no hope under the UDP. Barrow's budget now guarantees that there is no future for young Belizeans. A plate of rice and beans has gone up from $5 to $7. Under the UDP everything has gone up. Food, transportation, services and even water has gone up.
Not a single item of food or needed material has gone down. The lame excuse that a few items will not be increased is no consolation. We repeat – nothing has gone down. In fact, whenever taxes are increased prices will be increased by the sellers to recover their cost. Barrow, with a smile on his face, told the nation that he will be spending more money than the government will be collecting. He will be spending millions more than he has. What a way to manage a nation.
Those who know Barrow well had always maintained that Mr. Barrow would be bad for Belize. On All Fool's Day that belief will become a brutal reality.
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Source: The Belize Times
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