Wednesday, December 06, 2006

We like Hong Kong!

Hong Kong govt caves in and drops plans for GST.

The Hong Kong government has dropped plans to introduce GST after it failed to win public support for a change in the city's famously low-tax environment. The decision came midway through a nine-month consultation period.

Did I read correctly? Failed to win public support! That's democracy! Apparently, the people of Hong Kong aren't interested in the government's pitch about reliance on a more stable revenue source. You see, Hong Kong has always been the first choice of any regional headquarters for a very simple fact... it's one of the most generous tax regimes around. Singapore don't even come close despite our so-called stable business infrastructures. Social activists, who don't exist here at all, felt that GST would hurt Hong Kong's attraction as a shopping paradise. And for once, the pro-government and opposition legislators agreed in joining hands against GST implementation as they acknowledge that such wide-based tax system affects particularly the poor. There were even street protests of 7000 people. Notably, protests are LEGAL there because that's a major part of the democratic freedom process... every citizen has a RIGHT to be HEARD without any fear of being sued or thrown into jail due to some anal-retentive law(s). So now their government will look into other alternative to the GST like increasing taxes only on environmentally-linked industries like patrol and automobiles as well as luxury and high end items. Make the rich pay more... those twats can bloody afford it!


"Hell no! We are not Singapore!"

I've lived in Hong Kong for over two years and I've experienced what it truly means to live in a democratic country. The government does not ram down legislations down the citizens. It's truly a country where the people's voices are not only heard but also taken into serious consideration. Why? They're the very people that voted you into power and because of that, technically put the food on your table each day. Now I understand, despite the language barrier, why Hong Kong still remains the top choice for most regional businesses.

By the way, I'm not comparing. I'm merely sharing what real democracy is like and I dare reckon that their ruling government, who undoubtedly have the people's welfare in mind, would do a decent job down south... now that's a blatant statement! By the way, despite their far-sightedness, their "salaries" are also much lower. Viva la Democracy!

5 Comments:

At 11:11 PM, Blogger guanoe said...

haiz...just imagine 30% of Singaporeans decided the fate of the remaining citizens.

Everything fine for you?

 
At 12:35 AM, Blogger Adminstrator said...

GST... Goddamn Sickening Tax!

Actually, it's 66.6% of "eligible voters" putting in the very people into power who don't seem to grasp the full concept of what the word "democracy" means, thus making our so-called pledge "to build a democratic society" the biggest joke known to the modern world.

I'm not anti-authority or anything. Just stating some very obvious facts that is all around.

Yah, everything's fine for me. Learning to cope. Everyday's a brand new learning experience.

And you?

 
At 3:55 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Suffering from slight withdrawal symptons of 35hz...

Looking forward to Progressions NYE. Yeah!

 
At 2:56 PM, Blogger Adminstrator said...

Excellent... see you at NYE. All the DJs and the entire team is looking forward to it! It's become like a family gathering :)

 
At 5:57 PM, Blogger Adminstrator said...

hor liao... U2 - New Year's Day... it's called the Yukun Don't Give A Toss Remix. It's such a laugh.

 

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