The annual budget informs us how much we are forced to contribute to the Treasury and how these funds are going to be allocated to various government departments.
The latter, in turn, are meant to use these allocations for essentially our benefit, such as education, police and health.
That’s the theory. The trick, of course, is not to over-burden these contributors with too high a tax.
No one really minds paying these compulsory contributions to the government. If they perceive they are receiving a reasonable return for excellent education, health facilities, safe environment, a solid economy with good employment prospects, then all is fine.
Here’s the question: are we getting a reasonable return?
Remember the taxes – automatic deduction from your pay, customs duties, tax on fuel, liquor and a myriad other products (plastic bags, tyres) and then VAT on top of this (a tax on a tax).
Wait for it: then comes the contribution to local government in the form of property tax.
Again the question: are we getting a reasonable return? Who pays for education, health, private security? This comes from our taxes.
Besides our contributions not being used mainly for our benefit, we learn about the billions disappearing through blatant fraud, corruption and waste, every year
And each year we are asked to contribute more, because the government can’t cover its costs! Wow! And we are asked to tighten our belts.
Maybe the government should lead the way and substantially reduce its costs and lower taxes, so we can afford to pay for the increases in food prices and interest rates that are a direct result of its bad governance.
Here’s an easy way for the government to start the ball rolling: no free meals. After all, we’re trying to reduce the obesity epidemic in the country!
