GST Decision Rescinded!
Yes, it’s true! It was tucked away in a corner of the papers today, so it is not surprising if you missed it. Unfortunately it is not for Singapore, but for Hong Kong… The reason quoted was that the government decided to heed the wide-spread condemnation of the tax from the people. They therefore decided to scrap the implementation of the tax in order not to go against public sentiment.
Unfortunately I do not think this will happen to Singapore. The government is not likely (or should I say it is impossible?) to scrap the GST increase announced, definitely not because of pulic sentiment even if they were to do a ke belakang pusing later on. No, I DARE NOT say our government is not consultative, not especially when they claim to value the opinions of the ruled (ie, all of us). It is just that they happen to always know what is best for us, even though we may not see the point. Sounds familiar, like what parents always tell their kids? No, neither is our government paternalistic…
With this I think the MOE and NUS also need to sack all the teachers who have ever taught me economics. This is because even after passing Economics I still fail to see how increasing the GST and reducing income tax can benefit the poor more than the rich. Maybe after this they will say increasing the Ministers’ salaries can help the poor even more! But the point here is that probably the Ministers have really seen some logic behind how all these can help the poor which my limited economics knowledge finds counter-intuitive. So my econs teachers should take the blame for having failed to teach me well. After all, the Ministers know what’s best for us even if we intuitively feel otherwise!
Well guess I’ve said enough again. Better toe the line. Else our consultative government might haul me up for some "feedback tea session" or what. Anyway since the government’s stand is that with the new measures the poor will be better off and the rich will be worse off. So it’s a major sacrifice for them since they are all so highly paid. Who said that it’s easier to rule a country? But my point here is not that. Just want to say that any rich people out there who feels they are victimised by the new policies just because you are rich, you may give part of your money to me so that when you are poorer, you become better off. I will bear the brunt of this for you, since I’m in such a self-sacrificial mood. Quick, before I change my mind and take back my offer!
Damn, I’m so kind to make such an offer. Bearing the suffering on behalf of others. I think I have got the makings to be a Minister…
