The Editor, Sir:

The government's introduction of a fuel tax and other taxes means an increase in every single commodity. This move comes at a time when thousands of jobs have been and are being lost, when there is a sharp reduction in remittances, a blind eye being paid to the minimum wage and, above all, a wage freeze for public-sector workers.

I can understand when the prime minister said Jamaica does not have the money to give public-sector workers a wage increase. I can't understand days later this same prime minister has introduced new taxes. Where are we going to get money to pay those new increases? He wants to be shown consideration and at the same time he is showing none.

,b>We can't find it

I agree with the prime minister that unpopular decisions that will turn out to be beneficial to the country be made, but the decision to introduce new taxes right now is way out of context.

Very soon, we will have to, like the PM, say "we just can't find the money to pay light bills", "we just can't find the money to pay our property taxes", we just can't find the money at all".

Easing the burden

This is one of my suggestions to the Honourable PM. The governor general and his staff will be costing us close to $70 million this fiscal year. That is $70 million to attend ceremonial functions, sign papers, take instructions from the prime minister and represent Her Majesty.

Since Jamaica will not signifi-cantly be affected by the removal of the GG as head of state why not remove him? It is the time to write to Her Majesty and tell her Jamaica can ill-afford to have a governor general and we are left with no choice but to remove that position from the Constitution. Better yet, ask politely seeing that because the GG is representing the Queen, he be paid by her. At least some burdens would have been lifted off our backs.

I am, etc.,

Wakeish Bryan

wakki_bryan@yahoo.com