Former Miss World Mariasela Alvarez, now a TV show host, has used her Facebook page to protest the fiscal reform promoted by the Medina government. Fiscal reform in the Dominican Republic over the past few years has meant more taxes for the paying public. Alvarez criticized government spokesman Roberto Rodriguez Marchena for saying that more taxes were needed if Dominicans wanted more citizen safety. She says the taxes would really serve to cover the post-electoral deficit. The PLD, which succeeded in maintaining its majority in all three branches of government, is known for its massive use of resources for election campaigning. Alvarez stated that crime could not be fought by increasing taxes for people who work hard and honestly, but by strengthening values through a meritocratic society, with better quality education, more sports and cultural activities and more employment opportunities. She called for efficient justice and honest and a better-trained police force. She said that instead, the tax system should be simplified and advance tax payments, which are an unfair burden on small and medium-sized businesses, should be eliminated. She called for reducing wasteful government spending on people on the payroll in the DR and abroad, as well as what she described as the “obscene” wages paid to some public employees, and to start prosecuting and penalizing corruption.
http://www.diariolibre.com/revista/mariasela-alvarez-explota-contra-reforma-fiscal-critica-botellas-y-corrupcion-en-el-estado-HM4086823
