I refer to the issue of The Gleaner of June 24, reporting Prime Minister Golding scoffing at a repeated request from the People's National Party (PNP) to roll back the 16.5 per cent general consumption tax imposed on computers and computer parts by saying, "Roll back? All the banks and insurance companies too … you see how much profit they made last year … over $1billion." He added: "No, it will not be abolished. Poor people pay too much taxes."

The prime minister boasted that he did some economics at the University of the West Indies. I am sure he was not taught that profit is a bad word, but instead an engine of growth that provides revenue to help the poor, finance budgets for all and employment for poor people and 'dem pickney'.

Reduce bank charges

If Golding wants to help the electorate, I think he should focus on reduction of some draconian bank charges as did Industry Minister Karl Samuda, and free from tax all forms of capital, including computers and computer parts, and optimum utilisation of lands which is the source of all wealth. In this context, I don't have to remind our prime minister that capital is defined as anything that produces wealth.

Prime Minister, please take the tax off computers and computer parts for all the reasons the People's National Party gave.

I am, etc.,

OWEN S. CROSBIE

oss@cwjamaica.com

3 Hotel Street

Mandeville

Manchester