EDITOR, The Tribune.

As A retired senior citizen of this country, I am really angered and disturbed over the decision that requires senior citizens to pay VAT on all medical services.

Due to the fact that most of us have to visit our doctors quite frequently, whether it is for the eyes (Optometrist), ear (ENT doctor), Dentist, General Practitioner, etc VAT is added to the billing. Then there is the medicine, blood work, X-Rays, etc - all require VAT.

One would have thought that the Prime Minister, since he is also a senior citizen, should have shown some compassion and concern for us and would have exempted all persons 65 years old and over, from paying VAT on all medical expenses, inclusive of the doctors’ bills, medicine and hospital.

Our utilities bills should also be free from VAT.

I have a very limited income, which is derived from the National Insurance Board and a previous employment, which when added together is less than $1,000 per month. At present there is no possibility or probability that my National Insurance income will increase anytime soon and again there is no possibility of me finding employment. It is not too late to render assistance.

There are some who are fortunate enough to be employed at 65 and over; however that privilege is reserved for a select few. The government wasted $13 million on a Junkanoo Carnival: how much of that money could have assisted the poor and the elderly? Instead we had naked women dancing in the streets on the taxpayers’ monies.

Monies are being wasted in this country daily. Look round at the poor state of our roads; they are deplorable, pot holes of all sizes. I am sick and tired of falling into one, with no one to go to for recourse. The streets are dirty and filled with litter and again no one to clean up the dirty littered streets. We now hear that $650,000 went down the drain for a music festival which did not take place. When will this madness stop?

Is this government ever going to learn to prioritise the best way to spend the taxpayers’ money? They are the guardians of the people’s monies. Therefore, no Junkanoo Carnival for 2016. No more new taxes.

A SENIOR CITIZEN TIRED OF PAYING VAT

Nassau,

November 10, 2015.