EDITOR, The Tribune.
Please allow me to vent my frustration or rather exercise my freedom of speech against the Bahamas government.
While I understand it is common practice for a government to raise taxes steadily in order to keep up with inflation and the expansion of society, I must question our government’s commitment to the people of the Bahamas.
A few months ago, we had a referendum in which the majority of persons voted to ban the legalisation of gambling. Yet, (months later), every number shop is still in business. In fact, more have been opened since the election. So in essence the government is either powerless to shut them down or simply corrupt.
So now here we are, staring down the barrel of a VAT tax which clearly goes against the will of the people. Yet, the government says, This law will pass July 1, 2014? I have a problem with this.
Is the Bahamas Government for sale to the highest bidder? Either close down the number houses first then pass the law or tax the number houses (since you seem powerless to close them) and leave the VAT tax dormant.
Either you are for the majority of the people or for the wealthy few. We just celebrated Majority Rule Day. I am still trying to understand what does the majority really rule and what are they in control of.
Seems like the current government has lost the mandate, the mission and the vision for which our founding fathers have fought so hard to accomplish.
May God help the Bahamas if this law goes through.
ANDY FERGUSON
Nassau,
February 11, 2014.
Comments
happyfly 10 years, 2 months ago
'Gangster Rule' in the Bahamas. Disshonest people making all the money and law abiding people pay the bills
ChrisRolle 10 years, 2 months ago
"the government is going by the results of the referendum they are not regulating or taxing the web cafe and there is no national lottery the problem is it looks like no one who voted understood the questions is this a result of the "D" average"
Hopefully the above quote by another member of this forum answers any questions because it truly sums it up!
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 2 months ago
Wrong. Many persons asked about the wording BEFORE the referendum but Slick Perry shrugged his shoulders and said he did not understand what the fuss was about, the questions were plain and simple when they were in fact deliberately worded to deceive.
In any event there is no question that illegal gambling or no, Perry Christe, Brave Davis, Commisioner Greenslade and Bernard Nottage are now fully aware that the webshops are operating ILLEGALLY as banks, offering credit to customers. This is by no stretch of the imagination covered anywhere in their business licence, so like the barman on the corner or the night club in violation of the business licence act THEY SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY. He needs no committee to give him a spine to do this, the law is clear.
ChrisRolle 10 years, 2 months ago
"""Wrong. Many persons asked about the wording BEFORE the referendum but Slick Perry shrugged his shoulders and said he did not understand what the fuss was about, the questions were plain and simple when they were in fact deliberately worded to deceive. In any event there is no question that illegal gambling or no, Perry Christe, Brave Davis, Commisioner Greenslade and Bernard Nottage are now fully aware that the webshops are operating ILLEGALLY as banks, offering credit to customers. This is by no stretch of the imagination covered anywhere in their business licence, so like the barman on the corner or the night club in violation of the business licence act THEY SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY. He needs no committee to give him a spine to do this, the law is clear."""
@thisisours
Oh really?
Well firstly, I did state that the sentiments are that of another member who is 100% factually correct, the web shops are not being regulated and the web shops are not being taxed in any way different from any other business that pays for a business license and why are the web shops "NOT" being Regulated or Taxed? The people voted “NO” and the government is not “Regulating” or “Taxing” the webshops.
Can you state otherwise because I am not aware of anything different but again, let’s take a look at your comments objectively:
““the questions were plain and simple when they were in fact deliberately worded to deceive.””
Thisisours, I’m not sure if you had an opportunity to read the questions but because I believe you didn’t, see below:
Question 1 on the non-Binding Opinion Poll:
”Do you support the regulation and taxation of Web Shop gaming?“
What is deceitful about the question?
Do you want the Web Shops Regulated and Taxed?
Yes or No? I mean I reworded the question but hey, it’s a very simple question!
Courtesy of: www.dictionary.com
reg•u•late [reg-yuh-leyt]
verb (used with object), reg•u•lat•ed, reg•u•lat•ing.
a) to control or direct by a rule, principle, method, etc.: to regulate household expenses.
b) to adjust to some standard or requirement, as amount, degree, etc.: to regulate the temperature.
c) to adjust so as to ensure accuracy of operation: to regulate a watch.
d) to put in good order: to regulate the digestion.**
reg•u•lar•ize [reg-yuh-luh-rahyz]
verb (used with object),
reg•u•lar•ized, reg•u•lar•iz•ing.
a) to make regular.
tax•a•tion [tak-sey-shuhn]
a) the act of taxing.
b) the fact of being taxed.
c) a tax imposed.
d) the revenue raised by taxes.
ChrisRolle 10 years, 2 months ago
.@thisisours cont'd
**Now when it comes to a business that affords their customers the ability to engage in debits/credits, which business in the Bahamas is not permitted from allowing their customers to do so? The same way you can go into a bank to make a deposit/withdrawal/loan is the same way you can go into an asue and pay interest to the asue holder for your loan and is also the same way any business with a legal business license can have an agreement between the creditor/debtor to freely decide freely what credit/debit transactions should take place to determine who keeps the money and who receives the money?
My goodness, I frequent many business establishments on 3 different islands in the Bahamas regularly where their license is to provide building supplies, grocery, autoparts etc where I have an account for debits/credits!
I truly encourage you to study commerce, accounting and economics at least at the high school level to obtain a basic understanding of how business works?
There is even something called E-Commerce, study that too!
Wow!**
ChrisRolle 10 years, 2 months ago
:-) No worries rory, just remember to continue to pray to God for the well being of the citizenry in the Bahamas. Again, may God continue to bless you and may God continue to bless the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. All the best my brother.
BahamasGamingAssociation 9 years, 10 months ago
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bahama...">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bahama...
WHICH ON OF THE BELOW REIGNS SUPREME IN THE BAHAMAS?
The Bahamas Lottery and Gaming Act Chapter 387 Section 50 Persons prohibited from Gaming
Or
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Chapter III – Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedom of the Individual. Section 26 Protection from Discrimination on grounds of Race, Place of Origin etc.
The Bahamas Gaming Association stands by the Ideology that all human beings who are 18 years or older should be treated equally in all sectors of the Bahamian Economy which is enshrined in the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
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