The Rich may get richer,
but only by leaving!
No gets richer via VAT, including the Government,
It will make most poorer though.
When the extra $200 million does not materialize, due to economic slow down,
reduced personal spending,
Income tax will be next, once they crunch the Economic numbers based on the "new" view of economic activity provided by VAT reporting/accountability.

The economic picture is getting worse, rapidly spiraling down.
The way VAT was introduced, the Government contradicting themselves, flip flopping
all create uncertainty, which causes contraction in spending.
Sensible in the face of increased taxation and the inflation it will cause.
The economic activity of people, and their companies has a dynamic, ever adjusting resilience, which is already stretched beyond anything seen before here.
It may just snap Come July/Aug/Sept 2014.
That "extra" 200 million they claim they will get will come from every Man woman and child in the Bahamas, Poor, Middle class and the Wealthy.
The Middle class will bear the brunt, the poor will sink further.
Our existing cash economy will see a boost, via avoidance.

Almost all legislation passed since 1992 has Given the Minister great powers,
including "Summary Conviction".
VAT is loaded with possibilities for both Persecution and prosecution.
"A summary offence is a crime in some common law jurisdictions that can be proceeded against summarily, without the right to a jury trial and/or indictment ..."
Being that the Judges are politically affiliated and appointed......

Nah, they'll just Lighter in international waters instead.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
In any case, who will be watching them?
Bahamasair pilots?

The regs for VAT allow garnishing your bank account, closing your business, selling off your assets and preventing your international travel.
Draconian in any country, lethal in ours, as we don't keep records.
Records will be needed to Validate, defend or substantiate any situation arising from a Query of the VAT Gestapo.
As biggity as Immigration, Customs and police officers can be, and any other Civil servant with a bit of power for that matter.
can Bahamians even expect decent, reasonable, just treatment?
Very doubtful.
The Bahamian Revenue Service could become a monster in a hurry.

A very big one.

Let's see, threaten to rob, get paid not to.

Anyone familiar with protection rackets?

While Mr. Miller seemed to be climbing out of the fog,
he musse couldn't see the rungs of the ladder and slip!
And they think VAT will cure this madness?
insanity.

Yep, people who are aware of their surroundings are profiling constantly.
Profiling as a tool is indispensable, however when coupled with xenophobia,
it can get ugly.

From behind the scenes, the alternatives suggested do not give the inside view of our economy, Bank accounts, earnings, Debts.
that the IDB, IMF, and Government need to assess how much taxation we can withstand.
It took the Government fear of VAT effects on the Public service to reveal the 75+% salary deductions!
We have built a house of cards,
waiting for a stiff breeze,
never mind a hurricane!

Xenophobia, the fear of others different from yourself.
Bahamians live in a constant state of xenophobia, fed by the 5 year election cycle,
but the bogey Man never goes away.....
Perhaps wht underlies is the thin grasp we hold on our own country,
Crime, rampant debt and corruption.
All for me Baby.
Perhaps being given our own country so easily,
indicates we do not value it.
How other wise could we have let it degenerate so badly?
So now we will lose our freedom,
in order to take control of ourselves.
Freedom exchanged for security yields neither.