.::The Official General Election 2015 Thread::.

[zoom rader]

That is point of PNM land and Building taxes. It's for ppl (injun) that are perceived to be owning multiple lands. In PNM views they are hoarding lands.

Such a reckless comment.

You are basically reproducing the U.S. Republican class warfare agenda but substituting racial undertones instead.

OK I take it back,
Kwame will also be taxed on all the lands he owns in Tobago.

[Daran]

PNM's 'economic' principles have always been horrendous. They benefit very few (those who live in the West) and they blatantly ignore the effects on the middle and lower classes.......do you remember the unnecessary inflation spurned on by reckless spending and management of our economy in the early 2000s?

After you all forgotten their over dependence on energy leaves us severely vulnerable to international oil and gas prices?

They routinely discouraged real diversification and agriculture, except of course when one of their Western financiers benefited.

PP has their faults and follow some of the same missteps, but they also do come from an entirely different mindset with regards to where they want our economy to go.

Given there is going to be an inevitable shake up in the energy market internationally, I'd be very very tentative going with PNM.

The fact that they are indeed planning to re-introduce VAT on some items and introduce new taxes says a lot about their intentions when in office...........they are expecting to spend big (rapid rail) and also expecting an energy crisis (hence the need for more taxation).

But one wonders, what will happen after our oil and gas cannot supplement our economy? As I said in another thread, we are entitled society with poor work ethic.....where does this leave us post 2020+?

[Bezman]

I keep hearing about this raising VAT and reintroducing it on some items and yet the PNM has said over and over this is a lie and not true. I saw rowley say it was not true at a town meeting on TV.

Where are you seeing this daran? Can't see it anywhere in the press or past pnm rallies/town meetings etc.

[j.o.e]

I keep hearing about this raising VAT and reintroducing it on some items and yet the PNM has said over and over this is a lie and not true. I saw rowley say it was not true at a town meeting on TV.

Where are you seeing this daran? Can't see it anywhere in the press or past pnm rallies/town meetings etc.

Kamla said it, Rodney Charles said it , zoom raider repeated it. This is what makes it factual to some tuners. This is why I don't even attempt to have logical, intellectual discussions in political threads.

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

PNM's 'economic' principles have always been horrendous. They benefit very few (those who live in the West) and they blatantly ignore the effects on the middle and lower classes.......do you remember the unnecessary inflation spurned on by reckless spending and management of our economy in the early 2000s?

After you all forgotten their over dependence on energy leaves us severely vulnerable to international oil and gas prices?

They routinely discouraged real diversification and agriculture, except of course when one of their Western financiers benefited.

PP has their faults and follow some of the same missteps, but they also do come from an entirely different mindset with regards to where they want our economy to go.

Given there is going to be an inevitable shake up in the energy market internationally, I'd be very very tentative going with PNM.

The fact that they are indeed planning to re-introduce VAT on some items and introduce new taxes says a lot about their intentions when in office...........they are expecting to spend big (rapid rail) and also expecting an energy crisis (hence the need for more taxation).

But one wonders, what will happen after our oil and gas cannot supplement our economy? As I said in another thread, we are entitled society with poor work ethic.....where does this leave us post 2020+?

Where does the PP want the economy to go? What diversification have they done and are planning to do?

[EFFECTIC DESIGNS]

One question Bezman

Has Rowley ever said property tax is a lie? its the only thing that concerns me I don't care about VAT on food, I does plant meh own.

I only care if I have to pay property tax I think this will cause a serious problem. These people want to charge property tax like America but over there you not paying all this vat and duty on items. You don't pay all this unnecessary MVT etc

[Casper23]

At the end of the day, tax is revenue which moves forward a country's productivity, over the past five years I have only seen massive expenditure and little revenue collection , anyone who is going to vote for PP simply because the other party wants to implement revenue collection through means that were already established before is simply ignorant to the fact.

[EFFECTIC DESIGNS]

So if we going and pay property tax like the Americans. Why do we also have to pay that 38% vat and import duty on electronics?
Considering this is such an oil rich nation why are we even paying import duty on electronics? many of which our lives now depend on?

I just asking is all cause I find it strange government come government go import duty was never removed from electronics.

[Casper23]

How could you compare our economic system to that of first world status such as America, do you knw America's economic climate at present, if you did you would not make such statements, you speak of oil and gas, are we going to simply depend on oil and gas until such time that it is depleted and then what? The reason our MVT is so exorbitant is the goverment is simply capitalizing on the fact that Trinidadian love to purchase vehicles, I fully support that, through the number of vehicles that are licensed in one day alone. You are entitled to your opinion regardless, however I fully support tax implementations due to in colloquial terms, we have it too nice, the hard times in this country will begin ,not if but when that gas subsidy is removed,everything else will be a domino effect

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

So if we going and pay property tax like the Americans. Why do we also have to pay that 38% vat and import duty on electronics?
Considering this is such an oil rich nation why are we even paying import duty on electronics? many of which our lives now depend on?

I just asking is all cause I find it strange government come government go import duty was never removed from electronics.

Maybe you need to read some more. Check prices of things in Norway. They are oil rich. They pay ridiculous taxes on everything. Taxation on imports is nothing new or unique to Trinidad so I can't wrap my head around why you feel it should be one or the other taxed.

Once taxes aren't exorbitant then what's wrong in paying with the intention of the money being used for services?

[Bezman]

Too many quotes to answer

ED - both parties have plans for a tax that is driven by the amount/value of your property. And I personally agree we must have a tax based on that. I have heard for myself that the PNM says they are reviewing the current property tax, and have said it will need adjusting so it's fair across the board.

I must say I totally disagree with the giving away of state land to squatters though.


Another thing. The reason why we get taxed so heavily on imports is an incentive for local manufacturing and production. If electronics were assembled and purchased locally you wouldn't have any taxes on them besides vat.

I don't see the issue with a property tax based on the value of your property. If you can afford a 1m lot of land a build. 10m house and have 1m cars. Paying 9000 a year I property tax ain't gonna be a big deal compared to other subsidized commodities in Trinidad (for example no highway tolls, free education and healthcare etc)

[Kewell35]

I keep hearing about this raising VAT and reintroducing it on some items and yet the PNM has said over and over this is a lie and not true. I saw rowley say it was not true at a town meeting on TV.

Where are you seeing this daran? Can't see it anywhere in the press or past pnm rallies/town meetings etc.

Any links on when PNM denied they going to raise VAT? I can't find anything on it. You said PNM said over and over it not true but up till 10 days ago, there were calls for him to deny it still.

I watched the town meeting and maybe I missed it but I don't recall them saying that.

[Daran]

ED - both parties have plans for a tax that is driven by the amount/value of your property. And I personally agree we must have a tax based on that. I have heard for myself that the PNM says they are reviewing the current property tax, and have said it will need adjusting so it's fair across the board.

I've seen some of their plans to review it and it' basically a ∩ shaped curve where the poor (those with little assets) pay very little, but the rich aren't too heavily taxed either. In terms of proportion to income, it is the middle class (i.e. those with 3 bedroom homes in middle class neighborhoods) will suffer the most.

I must say I totally disagree with the giving away of state land to squatters though.

Why? that's a very important part of developing a society. Being classified as a squatter affects your entire outlook and purchasing power in life.

Another thing. The reason why we get taxed so heavily on imports is an incentive for local manufacturing and production. If electronics were assembled and purchased locally you wouldn't have any taxes on them besides vat.

Wells that's a pretty daft reason as we simply don't have the economy and manpower to create such an industry. Secondly, the reason is mainly because we kept an archaic import tax system that has contributes heavily to our income. No minister of finance is going to remove a tax on things we're accustomed to paying and rarely anyone complains. When UNC removed taxes on computers in the late 90s that was a brilliant move. Otherwise, a forward moving government would reduce taxes on items that can bring revenue. Things like cameras, musical instruements, equipment....all should be tax and duty free.

I don't see the issue with a property tax based on the value of your property. If you can afford a 1m lot of land a build. 10m house and have 1m cars. Paying 9000 a year I property tax ain't gonna be a big deal compared to other subsidized commodities in Trinidad (for example no highway tolls, free education and healthcare etc)

And what about me? I just had a baby and the wife stop working.....after paying a mortage/car loans/bills/insurance I'm left with 6k.......for a wife an child....every month we're pulling into our savings.....any extra expenses or taxes will be hard and this is not just for me. Perhaps they can do a means test or just a small increase after reforming L&B tax. A much better approach that isn't poltically expensive, is stopping TAX EVASION and MONEY LAUNDERING.........wayyy more revenue to collect there.

[Bezman]

The town meeting in Diego Martin last week. He stated its not true

Same meeting he buss the mark on the unc rail project.

[Bezman]

But Daran your speculating

What if the PNM lowers your property tax?

No one knows. They don't even know. Until they can see what state the economy is in they can't make any calculations on what revenue is needed.

And squatting is illegal. They shouldn't be regularizing it to get votes. State lands should be used for agriculture and commercial use. Sold to the private consumers. It's a waste of state resources.

[Kewell35]

The town meeting in Diego Martin last week. He stated its not true

Same meeting he buss the mark on the unc rail project.

Well that was not over and over then?

Sounds like typical politics...one calling the other one out of the rail project and how they going to raise VAT to fund one and the other doing the same.

[EFFECTIC DESIGNS]

I agree with Daran on the part with musical items should not have tax. I think we have genuine talent locally and these stuff should be made more easily accessible.

Pandey did a really great thing with removing tax on computers he saw it as a learning tool. I think tax should be removed from smartphones aswell, its also a learning tool and a necessity. Also useless to tax cameras this should be encouraged thoroughly to reduce crime.

And remove tax from exercise equipment I think exercise and healthy lifestyle should be encouraged. I was disappointed that UNC had 5 years and didn't do anything atleast last I checked a tariff for a skybox we paying tax on exercise equipment.

Exercise could help reduce our health bill at the hospitals.

[EFFECTIC DESIGNS]

One good thing about the internet is you can buy software online digitally and pay $0 in tax.

You can say buy a game for PC on steam and you pay nothing in tax, say you had to ship that as a physical package. lol that's about 38% me thinks .

[Bezman]

ED your a techy... You've assembled allot of computers and even mobile devices I'm sure fixing stuff for friends and family and even as a business.

You don't think you can get ppl from your community who are unemployed currently and show them how to assemble a TV, electric keyboard or amplifier? The parts can be assembled in bulk and sold.

Lots of appliances are assembled locally and are actually exported (have friends that do this) same with furniture.

I have a friend locally who makes some of the best electric a s acoustic guitars, amplifiers and bass guitars etc he is also lurking on the forum somewhere and his instruments are used by trinidads top musicians.

Look at massy and Toyota had assembly plants here in the 70-80's... There are opportunities here for manufacturing.. More than Trinidad like to admit and invest in.. With a minimum wage at 2.50 U.S. There are lots of opportunities.

[Bezman]

And as a foot note. I disagreed with all the aluminum smelters and industrial parks etc, because of the environmental impact etc. but as a fiscal govt initiative for a diversified economy, it is a good idea.

[Bezman]

I keep hearing about this raising VAT and reintroducing it on some items and yet the PNM has said over and over this is a lie and not true. I saw rowley say it was not true at a town meeting on TV.

Where are you seeing this daran? Can't see it anywhere in the press or past pnm rallies/town meetings etc.

Any links on when PNM denied they going to raise VAT? I can't find anything on it. You said PNM said over and over it not true but up till 10 days ago, there were calls for him to deny it still.

I watched the town meeting and maybe I missed it but I don't recall them saying that.

I was mistaken when he said it
http://www.looptt.com/content/dr-keith- ... tioned-vat

[EFFECTIC DESIGNS]

ED your a techy... You've assembled allot of computers and even mobile devices I'm sure fixing stuff for friends and family and even as a business.

You don't think you can get ppl from your community who are unemployed currently and show them how to assemble a TV, electric keyboard or amplifier? The parts can be assembled in bulk and sold.

Lots of appliances are assembled locally and are actually exported (have friends that do this) same with furniture.

I have a friend locally who makes some of the best electric a s acoustic guitars, amplifiers and bass guitars etc he is also lurking on the forum somewhere and his instruments are used by trinidads top musicians.

Look at massy and Toyota had assembly plants here in the 70-80's... There are opportunities here for manufacturing.. More than Trinidad like to admit and invest in.. With a minimum wage at 2.50 U.S. There are lots of opportunities.

Yeah I been doing this stuff for about 10 years now privately. I guess in a way I could even say I have my own business aswell. I did a classifieds website for a guy last month as well, but have some more work to do on it also.

http://www.sellpalz.com

I going to offer custom mobile apps for Android by the end of this year, taking me a while longer because when you say you can do custom you really need to make sure you can do it properly, quite a number of businesses had contacted me in the past for this service so I think there is a market for it locally. I don't like to outsource I like to do as much if everything myself so I can pocket 100% profit if possible. So mobile app design is one thing for sure I will be doing soon I can also use Unreal Engine 4 I am working on a indie game for it aswell, its relatively easy to publish games now the indie development scene has never been sweeter, now you get a multi million dollar Engine for use for free.

But you actually gave me a good idea on manufacturing stuff locally, I did not actually think about this doing physical stuff locally and exporting. One thing is very true about Trinidad, there is always money to be made down here we really are a country of business. I will take your advice dude see what I can come up with.

[Bezman]

I go take a tv for the idea when ya get going

[EFFECTIC DESIGNS]

sure thing LOL

[EmilioA]

So if a person happens to own say 4 acres of agriculture land will they be affected?

Yes bro, it's called land and Building Tax.

Even if you have separate car garage/shed it will be classed as an additional building separate from your home. The number of buildings on your land will be taxed.

PNM is hood winking the gullible public.
They are saying very little about this.

Land and Building Tax and Property Tax is two separate things.

L&B tax is currently a pittance. Like a 200 a year. Its property tax that was going to be the big thing.

[eliteauto]

TOP drops Toppin

The Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) has reversed its decision to allow incumbent MP Vernella Alleyne-Toppin to contest the Tobago East seat for a second term. The party has selected Goodwood High School mathematics teacher and Costaatt lecturer Joseph Frederick instead. Frederick is the public relations officer for the TOP.

The announcement was made at a news conference at the party’s headquarters yesterday. On July 31, the party announced their two candidates for the 2015 general election, giving Alleyne-Toppin the nod for the east seat and Natasha Ann Second for the seat in the west.

Political leader of the TOP, Ashworth Jack, said the decision was in the best interest of Tobago.

“We would have had a lot of discussions with persons in the public and within the organisation and we felt that it was in the best interest of Tobago,” he said.

Jack said while the TOP was a member of the People’s Partnership coalition, their decision to change Alleyne-Toppin as a candidate for the upcoming general election had nothing to do with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Sources close to the party said Frederick submitted his nomination and was screened, but he was bypassed with the hope that Alleyne-Toppin would have been embraced by the Tobago population. However, during their walkabouts it was realised that she was no longer palatable to the Tobago electorate.

Meanwhile, Frederick, 36, who also sits on the board of the Metal Industries Company Ltd, said he was grateful that he was selected. He said having experienced life in Tobago under the former PNM administration, Tobagonians were left with no other choice but to reject that party.

“The only choice that should be made is for a party that has brought this kind of development and issues of Tobago nationally and that would be the TOP. The race, come September 7, is between Tobagonians who are Tobagocentric and committed to the development of Tobago and those who are not,” Frederick said.

http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2015-08- ... ign=buffer

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

^^^^the comments section

[De Dragon]

Good fuh she, talk ah setta unfounded arseness in Parliament, and now here is the outcome/backlash/end result.

[Monk BANzai]

clean layout work... most of the Election Campaign Graphic work has been tewse this time from both political parties...... (bring back Ernie Ross!!!)




carry on...

[Daran]

Jeez got anything be more generic? Every elections we get the same promises, both sides mind you. Last election PP had exciting ideas and projects most of which they delivered. But color me unimpressed so far.