I received a mail from my my boss last night, he told me that what I had wrote on the farmers issue had really shaken up the elites and they are doing something about it to compensate. Rumours had been going within the ranks of the elites that the Goods & Service Tax (GST) hike is to fund the year-end bonuses for farmers like me. Yeah right, fat hope....
Funny how Goods & Services Tax seems more like Garberment Service Tax....
Anyway, since the rage in the bright red dot is all about the GST Hike, I thought why not I write something about it as well. Nonetheless, I do hope that my post stops appearing in tomorrow.sg. It seems that there's a mysterious guy / gal who had recommended 3 of my posts. They are here, here and here.
Okay, back to the subject proper, since Junior Lee's inauguration as premier, the garberment had been announcing 'welfare' policies and bonuses. The timing couldn't be more right. Right after elections and with mandate secured, its time to dish out the not so good news. First up is the GST hike to 7%.
Although many would be outraged on hearing about the increase, it is hardly anything near what I'm paying for my stuff in Canada now. Canada has an amazing 15% tax on all goods you buy, pure madness. So, as we all cry and whine about the 2% hike, can you imagine what it will be like to have 15% GST? But I do reckon that the average families back home shouldn't have any problems with the hike, but the same cannot be said for lower income families.
Our Garberment damn funny, first our Pear-se-dent say must be inclusive society, then MP say don't expect everything Garberment to help you and call for more Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWO) to be more pro-active, now the latest is to take $$$ from you first in the form of taxes, then return to you in the form of welfare packages.
There is one thing I find extremely disturbing on the hike is from this report.
[quote]
The government is considering cutting corporate and personal income tax rates to help Singapore compete for jobs and investments.
Funny how Goods & Services Tax seems more like Garberment Service Tax....
Anyway, since the rage in the bright red dot is all about the GST Hike, I thought why not I write something about it as well. Nonetheless, I do hope that my post stops appearing in tomorrow.sg. It seems that there's a mysterious guy / gal who had recommended 3 of my posts. They are here, here and here.
Okay, back to the subject proper, since Junior Lee's inauguration as premier, the garberment had been announcing 'welfare' policies and bonuses. The timing couldn't be more right. Right after elections and with mandate secured, its time to dish out the not so good news. First up is the GST hike to 7%.
Although many would be outraged on hearing about the increase, it is hardly anything near what I'm paying for my stuff in Canada now. Canada has an amazing 15% tax on all goods you buy, pure madness. So, as we all cry and whine about the 2% hike, can you imagine what it will be like to have 15% GST? But I do reckon that the average families back home shouldn't have any problems with the hike, but the same cannot be said for lower income families.
Our Garberment damn funny, first our Pear-se-dent say must be inclusive society, then MP say don't expect everything Garberment to help you and call for more Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWO) to be more pro-active, now the latest is to take $$$ from you first in the form of taxes, then return to you in the form of welfare packages.
There is one thing I find extremely disturbing on the hike is from this report.
[quote]
The government is considering cutting corporate and personal income tax rates to help Singapore compete for jobs and investments.
How in the world is this going to work? Cutting corporate income tax rates does not in any way assist lower income families. And if a family's monthly combined income is less than S$800, what income tax are we talking about? Need to pay income tax meh?
Let's face it, nobody likes increases in taxes. However, as we march towards greater heights as a nation and society, instances such as these are inevitable. There's another thing I can't understand is the insistence of having the 10% service charge. Imagine dining in a restaurant now would set you back S$17 more for a S$100 meal. Singaporeans hardly tip for good service, but can't blame us if you have the 10% service charge right? Makes no sense to tip after you had already tipped...
P.S: more pictures in the next post...
Let's face it, nobody likes increases in taxes. However, as we march towards greater heights as a nation and society, instances such as these are inevitable. There's another thing I can't understand is the insistence of having the 10% service charge. Imagine dining in a restaurant now would set you back S$17 more for a S$100 meal. Singaporeans hardly tip for good service, but can't blame us if you have the 10% service charge right? Makes no sense to tip after you had already tipped...
P.S: more pictures in the next post...
8 comments:
Dear Ed...
I have been following your blog very closely(almost daily if I can) since your first entry. I must say your entries have been very entertaining, informative and your lastest few have very been bold. Dun worry i am no member of any agencies, just a good friend of yours. - Kurt
Your blog is very interesting but very hard on the eyes lah.
Tolong hoe sim... can make template
lighter colour or not huh?
Hey Redtincan,
Its been a long time since I last catch up with you, hope you are doing great. I'll blog as long as people continue to read it. Call you when I'm back ok?
To oriental express,
Rest assured, I'll be changing my font colours
Yes, the GST in Canada is high. I know cos I had lived there before. But bear in mind, those taxes goes back to the people in the form of free medical and education plus social security and other welfare benefits.
My bro or sis,
I recognise that taxes in Canada goes back to the people, but can you imagine S'pore Gahmen tax us peasants 7% and yet we have no free medical nor education. Maybe a little welfare benefits, but definately not social security, cos we are too afraid to speak up anyways.
Dear Ed...
I will be waiting for your call and will definitely continue to read your blog. So be prepare to get busy. - Kurt
Hiz ED,
Hmm Farmers or Scholar .... hey in GOV these days Scholar are those on THE "Scholar SHIP" hahah and the rest of the degree holders are mark as Farmers le ... sad to say i am part of what you say le.. Know what the worst of all .. they change the Salary scheme and i was not part of it sad right same rank 200++ lower in $$$ weep .. guess gone case batch of farmers le. hahaha. Oh interesting enough lets discuss on our year end BONUS since ecomic going so great this year will it be BIG bonus for all of US ?? and how big hmm ... last yr about 1.5 % wonder will it be 3 % private secotor giving away at least 4 to 5 le hai .. hope GABERMENT will be kind enough to help relief the needs like us hahaha ... ...to get SQA ...is To Sweat quite Alot hahaha ... enjoy
Hiz ED,
posted the one above wrongly should be at the farmer end. anyway GST hmm make it 10% ba maybe we get bigger bonus early .. you know they take the money and it need to go somewhere lets hope it "our" pockets .. hahaha ;). Hmm but on second thought Aust which is on 10% GST have a mininum PAY clamp DOWN and workhours justification. so i wonder is sg will be having that shortly ? Some how tye take all the best from us and keep it all up for "Rainy Days" ? Wonder when it be raining so we might the the share out hahaha . $0.03 cent worth only lol .. ops plus my 10%service charge and 7% gst let see $0.03531 ops the the new worth value le hahaha ...
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