This isn't down to VAT. This is down to all the new customs/excise fees, and the new massively increased business license costs that finally came in to play this year.

These new costs, *before* VAT even arrives, have forced businesses to raise prices to avoid having to close their doors.

They will raise again when VAT is implemented for the same reason - they simply cannot stay in business if they don't.

Don't blame the businesses - they have no choice - blame the people who have massively increased business licenses, rolled out huge customs/excise increases, and are planning to force VAT upon you also - the Government.

> [...] he was a good guy. He didn’t do anything. He was accused of murder a couple times.

Seriously?

How does a 'good guy' just *happen* to be accused of murder? Twice?

Oh, and you won't have to explain anything to your children, because, we hope, they won't be indoctrinated and brainwashed into the blind following of a cult-like business* that bases it's bigotry on convenient misinterpretation of a book of (quite good) stories like their parents.

*Despite what your pastor tells you, the church is a business like any other. they get rich, while you get 'salvation'

Christian values are only important to Christians who decided, against all common sense, scientific fact and everything else that is actually really real in the real world, to live their life worshipping a fictional character in the sky because they pay an organised business (read: church) every Sunday, and it gives them something to blame when the world doesn't go their way.

So this is relevant to human rights, how, exactly?

Halkitis is an idiot.... with the party's agenda firmly shoved up his a$$.

He's my rep and useless.

Why run with a tax that throughout the entire region has done endless damage.

Payroll tax, The Freedom of Information act (which the PLP have buried in fear, despite it being a requirement of UN participation), and collecting taxes already owed are more than enough.

The PLP is desperate to keep the poor ingratiated, poor and subservient, so none of the above will ever happen.

True story, bro.

Y'all joke, but this is scary.

With this and the DPM break in, the criminal underclass is basically making a clear statement - they control the Bahamas, not us, not the police, not the government.

They do.

And they will do as they please, to whom they please.

Welcome to the end of the nation.

New Zealand has a Freedom of Information Act, which means it's government can be held accountable for spending. They are also listed as one of the least (if not *the* least) corrupt nations in the world.

Why would Christie think that their experience and economy is even vaguely similar or relevant to the secretive, reckless and completely un-transparent governance and corrupt nature of the Bahamas?

Really, how backwards is the VMAB being here.

They've had years to step up and help with the nation's Potcake problem, and have failed miserably.

Now they are refusing to allow vets volunteering from overseas to enter the country to help deal with the problem.

And why? Because somehow, they think these stray potcakes should all be paying $50 each.

I guess the VMAB isn't quite smart enough to realise that STRAY dogs don't have owners. Or bank accounts. or $50 in cash between their paws.

Protectionist fools who put profit before betterment of the country.

They are a disgrace.

Blah blah.

All you folks whining on an internet comment thread have two options if you don't like this.

Rise up, or shut up.

This is your country. You voted for these people, and at the end of the day, they are accountable to you.

Do nothing, and YOU let this happen.

Now log off, and go make a difference.

Apathy is the root of all evil doers.