Comments on: Is GST really a fairer tax for the poor and SMEs? http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/11/is-gst-really-a-fairer-tax-for-the-poor-and-smes/ Alternative proposals for a better Singapore Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:59:13 +0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Anonymous http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/11/is-gst-really-a-fairer-tax-for-the-poor-and-smes/comment-page-1/#comment-80 Anonymous Sat, 25 Nov 2006 03:08:00 +0000 http://geraldgiam.wordpress.com/2006/11/16/is-gst-really-a-fairer-tax-for-the-poor-and-smes/#comment-80 Singapore get ready for ghettoes!! Singapore get ready for ghettoes!!

]]> By: Gerald http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/11/is-gst-really-a-fairer-tax-for-the-poor-and-smes/comment-page-1/#comment-79 Gerald Mon, 20 Nov 2006 08:18:00 +0000 http://geraldgiam.wordpress.com/2006/11/16/is-gst-really-a-fairer-tax-for-the-poor-and-smes/#comment-79 Dr Huang,<br /><br />Sorry for the late reply. I think we (and the govt) have to accept that there will always be that bottom 'x' per cent of people who simply won't be able to cope with the effects of globalisation. I am therefore of the opinion that there needs to be an unconditional, needs-based safety net for them (like what the WP is proposing). <br /><br />No one is asking for S'pore to become a welfare state. But this bottom-income group really needs help, otherwise their poverty will end up perpetuating down the generations. Dr Huang,

Sorry for the late reply. I think we (and the govt) have to accept that there will always be that bottom ‘x’ per cent of people who simply won’t be able to cope with the effects of globalisation. I am therefore of the opinion that there needs to be an unconditional, needs-based safety net for them (like what the WP is proposing).

No one is asking for S’pore to become a welfare state. But this bottom-income group really needs help, otherwise their poverty will end up perpetuating down the generations.

]]> By: nofearSingapore http://geraldgiam.sg/2006/11/is-gst-really-a-fairer-tax-for-the-poor-and-smes/comment-page-1/#comment-78 nofearSingapore Thu, 16 Nov 2006 06:50:00 +0000 http://geraldgiam.wordpress.com/2006/11/16/is-gst-really-a-fairer-tax-for-the-poor-and-smes/#comment-78 Hi Gerald,<br />We all generally agree that tax collection is necessary in order to carry out any govt's fiscal policies. The challenge is what is the most equitable way so that poor are not disadvantaged. I have read Andy Mukherjee's opinion and I think it is balanced.<br /><br />I just feel sorry for the poor. They are dependent on hand-outs from the govt and so many fall thru social net cracks as they don't qualify for these. <br /><br />The rich of the world and international capital will flow towards countries with low tax regimes ( hence corporate tax rates are dropping), and they shift their OHQ's from London to HK to Timbuctoo if they want, but our McDonald uncle only shift from corner provision shop to NTUC and still cannot make ends meet. The corner provision shop is also getting squeezed now, as unless they register GST or mark-up price ( and lose to Cheers or 7-11), they either absorb or close shop!<br />I just hope the help package is really what it promises to be.<br />Sigh!<br /><br />Dr.Huang<br />(Gerald: I have copied these comments to my blog comments too) Hi Gerald,
We all generally agree that tax collection is necessary in order to carry out any govt’s fiscal policies. The challenge is what is the most equitable way so that poor are not disadvantaged. I have read Andy Mukherjee’s opinion and I think it is balanced.

I just feel sorry for the poor. They are dependent on hand-outs from the govt and so many fall thru social net cracks as they don’t qualify for these.

The rich of the world and international capital will flow towards countries with low tax regimes ( hence corporate tax rates are dropping), and they shift their OHQ’s from London to HK to Timbuctoo if they want, but our McDonald uncle only shift from corner provision shop to NTUC and still cannot make ends meet. The corner provision shop is also getting squeezed now, as unless they register GST or mark-up price ( and lose to Cheers or 7-11), they either absorb or close shop!
I just hope the help package is really what it promises to be.
Sigh!

Dr.Huang
(Gerald: I have copied these comments to my blog comments too)

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