Halving top tax rates and easing the purchase of big cars may have provided Ramgoolam with bragging rights: Ferraris, Lamborghinis and loads of other expensive cars routinely slide on our velvet roads.
But as we don't make these gas-guzzling vehicles we had to import them. And we've paid for these babies essentially by selling our land to rich foreigners probably after telling them that we're building a society for the few not for the many. That's not sustainable. And what's not sustainable cannot make us resilient.
And this folly has come at a heavy cost: a carefully crafted masterpiece, our welfare state, has been upset. So that Mauritius has become a less exciting place and FDI has collapsed in the first quarter of the year.
Looks like the toxic party that was sold to Ramgoolam is pretty much over. He should now revert to basic governance. Right away.
But as we don't make these gas-guzzling vehicles we had to import them. And we've paid for these babies essentially by selling our land to rich foreigners probably after telling them that we're building a society for the few not for the many. That's not sustainable. And what's not sustainable cannot make us resilient.
And this folly has come at a heavy cost: a carefully crafted masterpiece, our welfare state, has been upset. So that Mauritius has become a less exciting place and FDI has collapsed in the first quarter of the year.
Looks like the toxic party that was sold to Ramgoolam is pretty much over. He should now revert to basic governance. Right away.
What basic governance are you talking about? Ramgoolam still boasts the country has a low tax regime, one of the lowest in the world he said recently, whilst he happily make the state tax us high on VAT,car insurance, road taxes, fuel, the list is long.........
ReplyDeleteN.B - he hasnt bought a lit of fuel in a long time, since he was first elected as leader of the opposition!
Still, the number of vehicles on our road has increased from 255,000 to 400,000 during the last 10 years. That's not very effective is it? Hmm, I should add this to my series on resilience.
ReplyDeleteAnd you have to make a difference between tax revenues that harm your competitiveness and those that make your society more progressive (and greener). Capiche?
Soaring number of cars, good point you can add in that forthcoming book.
ReplyDeleteBy the time Ramgoolam would have solved the publitransport crisisis(we have a long way to go) we would be a leading exporter of re-re-conditioned vehicles in the region. Who knows, they might even call that nouveau pillier de leconomie choonee style as he mentioned cinema industry prospects. Think we should send him to Montreal to learn a few tricks about it.
Sirtu soaring number of stupid things we do here. Baap, lalis la tro long. Saem in fini depass 700 posts lor Kozelidir.
ReplyDelete'.....we're building a society for the few not for the many'
ReplyDeleteNR will surely not agree, nor will Nita.
Have you bought one yet? A Ferrari? I can help you get a good deal.....
Forget about Nita and NR. Tell us what YOU think.
ReplyDeleteWill get in touch with you as soon as I am in the mood for this. So Anon is your first name and Ymous your last name?
I am doing Direct Sales (A.M.C currimjee style)and will show you a sample of the ferrari- these are exact metal replicas of high quality(size 12 inches)and you cannot not love them.Expect my call, at your doorstep!
ReplyDelete