Let me get this straight.......some businesses are paying "a day or two late", yet the Government has not performed one single VAT audit in the field, almost a full year after the tax came into effect? Another example of Government **inefficiency** vs private sector **efficiency**. What exactly has Mr Rolle and his department been doing all this time? Does it really take a whole year to train an auditor what to look for.......smh
My guess is....trying their damndest to hide the VAT income generated, so that we The Public don't know if tax income has been used to pay down any our nation's huge debts (the raison d'etre for VAT's introduction) I seem to remember he was so full of enthusiasm early this year, telling us how much had been collected, but since then not a peep as to where the money has gone.
This is great news, but only a start. I can understand that the Government of the day will not want mugshots of the Most Wanted in the press for locals and tourists to see, but maybe this is the way forward? We are such a small island, and perhaps the Police has to publicly shame the bad guys each week in the papers, even at the temporary cost of a few tourist dollars. I'd rather see a safer Bahamas and a few less tourists in the short term, than a wild west nation where nobody is safe in the long run
This must be a joke !! 100lbs of marijuana is nothing in the scheme of things, not even a drop in the ocean. What this "headline" is, is pure spin. We all know that the numbers people now control the gambling, strip clubs, prostitution, drugs, contract killings and all other illegal activities. And since Christie legalized them, despite the results of the referendum, the numbers people can now do anything they wish, with impunity. But of course, Joe Public, we the people who Christie thinks are "too stupid to know better" must be fed a story like this every so often, to make it seem as if the Government is doing something about crime. Yippee.....100lbs of weed, Hurrah.......five gang members on trial. And all the time it is so obvious that the few who get put on trial, or the drugs that are busted, or the strip club that is closed down once a year, these are from the competitors of the numbers king pins. Do they really think we are that stupid ?
Okay Obie. Just so long as the "brand" is not affected, then that's perfectly fine and dandy. Meanwhile in the real world where I live, every day is a worry.....will my car or house be broken into, will a friend or relative be stabbed or shot as part of these turf wars.
But I digress........it's the "Brand" that is important, not the lives of Bahamian citizens
Unfortunately for Bishop Boyd, the government cannot hold an inquiry into gambling, as it is now totally in the thrall of the webshop owners. Any inquiry would either be spun so that it points to the (dubious) benefits gambling has on the country, or would be a whitewash that ignores the beliefs of the majority of citizens (that gambling is a bad influence)
Lest we forget, it is worth pointing out once again that this Government ignored the will of the public at the last referendum........this assault on democracy must always be at the forefront of any discussion on gambling
A very welcome, and some may say, surprising, bolt from the blue. I wonder how closely the new investors will look at the resort contacts already meted out to various PLP's and their families and cronies......not very closely, if at all, would be my guess. The "cost" of doing business will be to allow those with their snouts already in the trough to keep them there. Now all Christie has to do is figure out a way to get rid of Izmirlian once and for all. Island for Sale
I have one more comment to make about the new development downtown. It seems as though our Chinese masters have brought their arrogance and disdain with them, because nowhere do I even see a sign that says "We apologise for any inconvenience while construction is in progress" Instead, we have to put up with incessant traffic holdups, workers wandering around the streets and crossing the road as if they own the place, and signs in Chinese but without the equivalent in English. It's disgusting that they are treating us with such utter contempt in our own country
watcher says...
Let me get this straight.......some businesses are paying "a day or two late", yet the Government has not performed one single VAT audit in the field, almost a full year after the tax came into effect? Another example of Government **inefficiency** vs private sector **efficiency**. What exactly has Mr Rolle and his department been doing all this time? Does it really take a whole year to train an auditor what to look for.......smh
My guess is....trying their damndest to hide the VAT income generated, so that we The Public don't know if tax income has been used to pay down any our nation's huge debts (the raison d'etre for VAT's introduction) I seem to remember he was so full of enthusiasm early this year, telling us how much had been collected, but since then not a peep as to where the money has gone.
Shame on him !!
On Businesses warned: Brace for VAT audits
Posted 30 November 2015, 3:32 p.m. Suggest removal
watcher says...
The wise words of G. Harrison are as valid today as they were nearly 50 years ago
On ‘A stake through the heart’ of commerce
Posted 27 November 2015, 8:03 p.m. Suggest removal
watcher says...
This is great news, but only a start. I can understand that the Government of the day will not want mugshots of the Most Wanted in the press for locals and tourists to see, but maybe this is the way forward? We are such a small island, and perhaps the Police has to publicly shame the bad guys each week in the papers, even at the temporary cost of a few tourist dollars. I'd rather see a safer Bahamas and a few less tourists in the short term, than a wild west nation where nobody is safe in the long run
On Suspects caught: Two men arrested over murder of teacher
Posted 20 November 2015, 1:33 p.m. Suggest removal
watcher says...
This must be a joke !! 100lbs of marijuana is nothing in the scheme of things, not even a drop in the ocean. What this "headline" is, is pure spin. We all know that the numbers people now control the gambling, strip clubs, prostitution, drugs, contract killings and all other illegal activities. And since Christie legalized them, despite the results of the referendum, the numbers people can now do anything they wish, with impunity. But of course, Joe Public, we the people who Christie thinks are "too stupid to know better" must be fed a story like this every so often, to make it seem as if the Government is doing something about crime. Yippee.....100lbs of weed, Hurrah.......five gang members on trial. And all the time it is so obvious that the few who get put on trial, or the drugs that are busted, or the strip club that is closed down once a year, these are from the competitors of the numbers king pins. Do they really think we are that stupid ?
On Police seize 100 pounds of marijuana
Posted 16 November 2015, 5:54 a.m. Suggest removal
watcher says...
Don't forget Popeye's side order of Olive Oyl
On Brothers create 100 jobs via $2m franchise launch
Posted 11 November 2015, 3:16 p.m. Suggest removal
watcher says...
Okay Obie. Just so long as the "brand" is not affected, then that's perfectly fine and dandy. Meanwhile in the real world where I live, every day is a worry.....will my car or house be broken into, will a friend or relative be stabbed or shot as part of these turf wars.
But I digress........it's the "Brand" that is important, not the lives of Bahamian citizens
On Wilchcombe: Murder record is a disgrace
Posted 11 November 2015, 3:10 p.m. Suggest removal
watcher says...
Unfortunately for Bishop Boyd, the government cannot hold an inquiry into gambling, as it is now totally in the thrall of the webshop owners. Any inquiry would either be spun so that it points to the (dubious) benefits gambling has on the country, or would be a whitewash that ignores the beliefs of the majority of citizens (that gambling is a bad influence)
Lest we forget, it is worth pointing out once again that this Government ignored the will of the public at the last referendum........this assault on democracy must always be at the forefront of any discussion on gambling
On Bishop wants examination of gambling
Posted 11 November 2015, 5:51 a.m. Suggest removal
watcher says...
A very welcome, and some may say, surprising, bolt from the blue. I wonder how closely the new investors will look at the resort contacts already meted out to various PLP's and their families and cronies......not very closely, if at all, would be my guess. The "cost" of doing business will be to allow those with their snouts already in the trough to keep them there. Now all Christie has to do is figure out a way to get rid of Izmirlian once and for all. Island for Sale
On Farkas-Kerzner in deal for Baha Mar
Posted 9 November 2015, 1:47 p.m. Suggest removal
watcher says...
Well said !!!
Just some more teachable moments to add.....Carnival fiasco..........BOB $100 million hole.......
On A list of teachable moments
Posted 29 October 2015, 6:44 p.m. Suggest removal
watcher says...
I have one more comment to make about the new development downtown. It seems as though our Chinese masters have brought their arrogance and disdain with them, because nowhere do I even see a sign that says "We apologise for any inconvenience while construction is in progress" Instead, we have to put up with incessant traffic holdups, workers wandering around the streets and crossing the road as if they own the place, and signs in Chinese but without the equivalent in English. It's disgusting that they are treating us with such utter contempt in our own country
On Ex-DPM slams Hilton garage consultation
Posted 23 October 2015, 4:43 a.m. Suggest removal