How about cutting the benefits of politicians and more… ?

Teachers are once again in the cross-hairs of the government and many who really have very little understanding of the teaching environment and its teachers, have been very vociferous in bellowing how teachers have been given way too much.

When one looks at raw data without an appreciation for what is behind the data, we tend to make comments that does not accurately reflect reality.

I encourage people to read this post @

https://commonsenseja.wordpress.com/2010/05/05/get-off-the-back-of-teachers/

I understand the economic situation in the country and the need to make sacrifices, but it would appear to me that the only people making the sacrifices in this country are those who can least afford. I am therefore suggesting the following.

1. The Government of Jamaica should immediately rationalize the number of consultants in the system, with a view of cutting these by a minimum of 50 %.
2. The Government of Jamaica should no longer provide free cars and gas for its cabinet members, special advisers  consultants and any one else who receives these freebies. No more free car drive your own. Only the PM and the deputy should get this privilege.
3. No more free housing for cabinet ministers, go live in your own house.
4. Return all those rented house, apartments etc to the owner and where the owner is the GOJ sell them at market price.
5. Provide political representatives with housing allowance in keeping with what exist in the public sector.
6. No more free health for cabinet ministers and others who enjoy this luxury or limit free health care that to treatment locally. If they want to go to John Hopkins, then they underwrite the cost of that luxury. Alternatively cap the cost they can incur for overseas treatment where that treatment CANNOT be done locally. ( I bet you how health services would improve)
7. Cap duty free waivers on government members importing things into this country to a value no more than 3 times what the rest of Jamaicans get ( its on the customs forms).
8. Cap the cost of hotel rates per room night that a government members are allowed to spend when they travel on overseas appointments and maintain the smallest delegation possible.
9. Cap the cost to telephone calls made by government members particularly  on overseas assignment.  Encourage the use of  Skype, MSN, Yahoo and other services, however calls that are matter of national security nature must be on secured means. You need to talk with family members, use magic jack or one of the services mentioned above. Never again should we have someone making $1million worth of phone calls.
10. Cut the number of security personnel assigned to politicians except that of the Prime Minister and send those to help solve Jamaicans crime problems. Jamaica does not have a history of attack on politicians by thugs, so no need to keep that “luxury” in place. If he wants personal security he does that on his/her own pocket, the state can no longer afford this.

These are just a few things that readily comes to mind as we move to tighten the system all around. We cannot simply target one group of persons every time we need to cut cost, it must be a shared burden.

There are some other ideas I have already mentioned from a tax collection standpoint and a few more to consider because we must begin to tax more persons rather than tax people more.

Hint.

How about collecting sales data on all motor vehicles, cars, suv’s and pickups above $5m and carry out some investigation into their tax affairs, you may find some very revealing information.

Bless

Why are business leaders afraid to speak out ?

Well its not only business leaders who are afraid to speak out  but also media practitioners . There is one strong reason and its called “access”  while  another reason “fear” of back lash.

A government that is serious about moving the country forward and not about how the party itself is perceived is less inclined to “take action” against those it views as ” enemies of the state”. Portia Simpson Miller ” enemies of the state” comments must never be taken lightly as its a feeling that lies deep within the psychic of that party.

Many persons in business are happy to not have a certain arrogant individual as Minister of Finance for very good reasons and those same persons are more likely to work with Dr Peter Phillips than the other guy ( I guess you all know to whom I am referring to).

The other guys is said to be a vindictive individual who is willing to put any business under extreme pressure if you cross his part or being critical of him in public and many suffered at this hands in the past and now are walking on egg shell not sure how to proceed with the party in general.

I can however say that Dr Peter Phillips does not appear to be not like that other guy and appears willing to hear out the critics and even engage them on how to improve things.

Media practitioners makes a lot of money from the Government and as such many have also been walking the straight and narrow, not willing to rock the boat for fear of having their “oxygen support” cut off by a party that does not take criticism lightly.

You are likely to be subjected to excessive audits, problems with waivers and anything that is under government control unless you fall in line.

People are not quiet because everything is ok, they are quiet due to “fear” .

You must not be critical of Mama P and the PNP , do so at your own peril !