re: Tax Reform Passage and ITBIS

KOD:

It's called 'killing the goose that lays the golden egg'.

Haven't you realized by now that all any of the governments give credence to is taxation. They think nothing about cutting payrolls or their own expenses imposed on the economy.

That's where Socialist thinking leads people. Take away all the profit and leave business and the wealthy with nothing---and eventually there is no production to support all the 'social programs' the politicians dream up to woo the voters with. And all the politicians are interested in is their own perpetuated tenure in office.

Texas Bill

Texas Bill said:

KOD:

It's called 'killing the goose that lays the golden egg'.

Haven't you realized by now that all any of the governments give credence to is taxation. They think nothing about cutting payrolls or their own expenses imposed on the economy.

That's where Socialist thinking leads people. Take away all the profit and leave business and the wealthy with nothing---and eventually there is no production to support all the 'social programs' the politicians dream up to woo the voters with. And all the politicians are interested in is their own perpetuated tenure in office.

Texas Bill

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Totally agrre TB.
Let's get back to a decent bit of Communism where the PEOPLE make all the decisions, split the profits & politicians never get rich personally!! - Grahame.

We all know---

that the endemic characteristic of ALL politicians is the "Me First" syndrome and I'm convinced that with that as a basis, NO eco-political system will be beneficial to everyone in the long run. That's true cynicism on my part. May the 'anarchists' have the right idea after all. Shoot everyone and solve all the problems!! LOL.

Texas Bill

It seems to me that sunshine and beautiful women is the DR's version of oil. Combine that with 3 hour direct flights from New York and it's free money for the politicians. The rest of the country limps along on the fumes. As long as the locals don't start murdering gringos and tourists, the "Goose" will keep on laying, and the Dominican Republic will remain corrupt and quasi disfuntional. - D

I hate to disillusion you, BUT---

When the infrastructure that supports that 'Tourist Industry" goes 'bust', then the industry goes with it.

Would you continue to visit a country where the electrical supply, the water, the 'limited' number of attractive sceneries were a reflection of destitution of the population and where that population had to resort to criminal activity to survive??

That scenario is what I'm referring to above in my posts.

And unless this country turns itself around, reference the economy and the political milieu, it will happen. I, for one don't wish to see such a thing take place. That is the main impetus behind many of my super-critical remarks about 'life in the DR' and I sincerely hope this Administration and future ones will take note of past failures and initiate some corrective measures to change the way Dominicans conduct their lives and business.

Texas Bill

I agree with you. I'm only saying that things can and will limp along like this indefinately, because the sun keeps shining and the tourism inrastructure is controlled by foreign corporations which are much more together than than Dominican government. Meanwhile, the electricity will improve just enough to calm the masses down (they're not paying for it anyway), the government will become moderately corrupt instead of completely corrupt and life will go on. It's maddening to us gringos who are used to a government of laws, etc., but business as usual here. I'm trying to teach my little adopted family here to expect more in their lives, and I believe that little 5 year old Luismy will be part of the solution when he's an educated adult, but for now I think living in the DR requires a thick skin. - D

I have set aside---

an hour out of each day to try and convey the idea of a benevolent, but responsible, government to my three boys, ages 10 to 13. They get a little bored at times but I have the feeling that what I am telling them, reference the history of the DR, is begining to soak in. I am getting more questions from them as time goes on. That is my purpose, to teach them to think and question that which they don't understand or agree with and then seek solutions to resolve the matter.
Hopefully, some of what I say to them will stick in their memory banks and surface at the appropriate times in the future.
I do stick to simple subjects and explanations by example. I keep having to remind myself of their as yet under-developed minds relative to sophisticated subjects.

Texas Bill

I have 2 sons here in NY, 30 & 27. It's funny how they took everything in as kids without letting on. It's gratifying, too. Now with my little Dominican family, I just want to get across the point that words have meaning. That it's important to do what you say, to live up to your responsibilities, and to expect the same from others. Marisol, the mother, grew up very poor in the Capital, and basically has a realistic "street" view of how things work. The family will never lose this. But idealism is a beautiful thing, and a society without it is kind of tragic. I'd like Marisol's kid to believe that their potential is unlimited. -D

I agree----

with you that one's beliefs and ideas are a part of the sum of one's character.
The building of the latter into an effective being is essential to that being's success in life's endeavors and goals.
If one can excite the curiosity of the mind, as a parent, then they have done their job in that role.

Texas Bill

My guess is that the other very valuable thing you are doing, TB with your 3 sons & Danny with your "adopted" family, is combatting the machismo thing through example. When these children grow up, not only will they be able to think & question things, but they'll probably treat their future women folk better than many do currently.........more power to both of you!

Lambada said:

My guess is that the other very valuable thing you are doing, TB with your 3 sons & Danny with your "adopted" family, is combatting the machismo thing through example. When these children grow up, not only will they be able to think & question things, but they'll probably treat their future women folk better than many do currently.........more power to both of you!

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What an UTTERLY sexist thing to say & how TOTALLY "off subject". Although I accept that reform is being discussed (& teaching children is a form of reform for many years down the line) the subject was the TAX Reform just passed by Congress I believe.

Well done to the PLD for getting this one through despite the dissidents. It will mean a bit more out of our bank balances but if it means the country can get to be responsible (Yeah, I know CC, Dominicans can NEVER be reponsible - you've told us enough times) then I am happy for my money to go pay for that education!! - Grahame.

Sorry I went off thread there Grahamme. I agree with you about the need for the tax increase for the immediate future. It will help solve the 'insolvency' problem; but will it ever be repealed? My observations have been that once a tax is in place, it becomes permanent.

Texas Bill