Dear Editor,
Within short, before the end of next year and surely not before elections, there will be import taxes to be paid. This is part of the tax reform that the Dutch require, among other proposed changes, ie. drop in income tax. To what degree this is meant to stimulate the local economy is left to be seen. Of course, there are predictions, which include or exclude the effects of the French (northern) side.
The tax system – a public and collective community service, entangled in economic development, investment, employment, informal economy, amongst other factors are all intertwined within the public sector, businesses and the political within and related to the global (capitalistic) system – is quite the complicated structure that faces obstacles, avoidances, evasions, challenges, and ultimately: interest.
Society is regulated by taxes. No one sector or factor should influence the equilibrium of the tax system where the interest of the few supersedes the collective. If so, imbalance and chaos will ensue. The other sectors suffer. So, the more we adhere to a fair, balanced, ethical, moral, equal, mutually dependent, inclusive, compliant, sustainable, effective and efficient tax system, the better for all of us.
While we try to aim towards these idea(l)s of a fair tax system, there must be the realization of being able to pay for the many public services we enjoy or don’t get to enjoy. No doubt, there is a link to the parity and accountability of the tax system. They are intimately related. Taxes need to be paid by everyone fairly and squarely so that the community in general are provided a decent life by the government providing pubic goods: education, health care, pension, social services, infrastructure – roads, cleaning up, the police, fire, and ambulance departments, hurricane damage, etc.
Though costs are associated with these public services, they are only supplementary and not sufficient. Once this happens, public services are cut, and the public feels it in many ways.
The difference in what it takes to run the country vs what the government collects in taxes, there should not be a large discrepancy.
Between the two extremes of the private jets and mega-yachts, there are the sins to pay for. By only with the governments’ not playing matchmaker, the country moves forward.
This is no accident.
Pedro de Weever
