The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Please permit me as a Bahamian to express what many others are experiencing, but are afraid to commit their personal views.

First of all, I congratulate Dame Marguerite Pindling on her appointment as Governor General of the Bahamas. I am a retired Bahamian who after 44 years of service to this beautiful country, Bahamas, is collecting a little more than $1,000 per month in pension.

I am still young and in excellent physical condition, in my early 60s with an impeccable work history, find it difficult to secure meaningful employment.

As a popular song says, “It is not what you know, but who you know,” is that what makes us Bahamians?

All, who live or reside in the Bahamas, are obligated to pay their fair share of taxes.

With the cost of essentials such as food, clothing, shelter and electricity so high, many could ill afford luxuries such as telephone, cable TV and personal transportation.

So how is it that certain individuals who are already receiving a huge pension could be appointed and receive a much larger salary than many executives in this country
while in their 70s and 80s?

How could they sleep comfortably at nights knowing that they have contributed no more than the people who contribute to their high salaries?

“We believe in Bahamians, and we will create 10,000 jobs.”

Well, I am a Bahamian who must find the funds to pay for electricity, mortgage, property taxes, food, medicals and whatever comes along, but unable to find meaningful employment.

Please direct me, as a Bahamian, where to go either to be exempt from paying taxes, or to find employment where I can live on the backs of the poor and still not pay tax dues.

A Bahamian not alone.

L R ALEXANDER

Nassau,

July 9, 2014.