St. Maarten Private Eye

Some people won´t like the idea of a luxury tax, SXM prides itself on being a duty free port and is promoted as such. However there come a time when you just have to accept that the island needs money and a Luxury Tax, on non essential goods is a huge source for those funds.

A tax on all cigaretes, say 50c per pack would go a long way towards paying for a quality national health plan for all SXMer´s. 3% on beers, wines and alcohol imports would cover huge improvements in our schools and youth orientated programs. A vehical import tax based on the value would pay for our roads.

Sorry tp those who don´t agree, but if I was offered a choice to pay 4c more for a beer and have our children getting quality education then I would be very willing to pay it. Same goes for cigarettes (I am a smoker) and for my car.

There are creative ways to raise money out there, they can be geared towards those who can affoird to pay and this rise in TOT hits everyone, the small man hardest. A well known question (at least where I come from) is this.....

The collection plate is passed around the church, the rich man puts in $1000, the poor man puts in $1. Who gave the most?

St. Maarten has been living and surviving on the cheap for far too long, just about every government dept is underfunded, under staffed and poorly run, the lack of well thought out policies doesn´t help either. I am willing to pay more, but only if it is related to and goes where it is needed. Yes, all these sorts of taxes need cooperation and agreements with the French side, but they need money too and it´s long past time the two sides put their pride and started working together on these problems, which both sides face.

I agree with Flipper, this rise in TOT shows clearly the lack of creative thinking and a lack of balls to make serious decisions that are desperately needed. The easiest solution is not always the best, but this govt always goes that way and usually it is late too

LH