Monday, April 10, 2006

the golden years

Hasn't it occured to anyone what a golden age we are all living here in the Sultanate?

We bare no taxes apart from a mesely 15% taxes on sales from any five-star place, and the government provides aid in terms of paying off most of the electricity and water bills that it says would have come to a staggering amount had it all been payed by the public.

Why I say it is a golden age, is because - and although the government has denied that it will impose any more taxes in the future - the Sultanate is being drained of financial resources as it is since oil, gas can only be used for so long to give the Omani economy such a boost in the right direction. And the implementation of eco-tourism cannot be sustained so far into the future, sooner or later the authorities here in Oman will one day open up the doors for mass-tourism.

The point I am trying to make here is that one day we will be asked to pay for the services that we use as it is as of many individuals in many developed/developing countries, like cleaning streets of garbage, building streets and bridges and the sort.

The future of this nation will no doubt one day come to that situation. And the question at that point is what what would happen?

If the people by then start paying to the state financial box, then, technically speaking, that would mean that the state owes them the right to vote on many things politically, socially and otherwise.

Would it mean that we would come to such an age, after we have live the golden years?

6 comments:

MJ said...

At one point all countries will have to impose taxes at one point or another, ten years from now or 20.
It won't be a simple decision for the government because for example in the UAE many foreigners are here because there are no taxes, so how will that affect that?
Then pop the question, will we be getting better services of all kind when we pay taxes? or will everything be the same? Better education? Health services? etc. Many would feel great about that, but others would probably go 'we already get everything from the private sector'

Like it or not, everyone will probably have to pay taxes one day. Unless they die soon.

Sleepless In Muscat said...

MJ:

yes... i agree with you on that

but my question is how will governments react? will they give in easily?

Arabized said...

>>If the people by then start paying to the state financial box, then, technically speaking, that would mean that the state owes them the right to vote on many things politically, socially and otherwise.<<

Economically, tax is not a good thing, but in some cases its needed.

Yes, I think one day tax will be imposed.

I do not know if it gives the power to vote or more 'rights' but people would like to know what there tax money is being spent on. Kinda like checks and balances.

for example in america, in recent years, several states have adopted so-called "Right to Vote on Taxes" initiatives for example, constitutional amendments requiring voter approval for any new or increased taxes imposed by local governments.

** Voting is a part of a democratic system, it has nothing to do with if you pay taxes or not.Its a given right. So the government in the sultanate can basically say, either pay the taxes or find somewhere else to live.

In history, the muslim empire placed taxes on all individuals living inside the empire. They were given freedoms (i.e religion)and were also protected by the empire.


ok..i feel like im going on and on, i hope i made some sense.

Sleepless In Muscat said...

Arabized:

you know, despite the fact that I know quite a lot about the western world and how it works economically on it's capital scale plan, I never knew so much information ..

thanks Arabized..

it was a thoroughly informative post.

;o)

Arabized said...

hah thanks ali, i thought i was babbling on and on ( i have a tendency to do that at times, you should see me in my economics class.) :p

Oh MJ to answer your questions:

The money from taxes are spent on these things throughout history:

military defense,
enforcement of law and public order,
protection of property,
redistribution of wealth,
economic infrastructure — roads, legal tender, enforcement of contracts, etc.,
public works,
the operation of government itself.

Some Modern governments also spend tax money on public services:

education systems,
healthcare systems,
pensions for the elderly,
unemployment benefits
energy, water and waste management systems,
public transportation.

i'll be quiet now :/

Sleepless In Muscat said...

Arabized:

you're absolutely right about what you said.

but there have also been discrepencies that there such services that the government, it's people, and anyone else in the nation can do without. These services which require the taxpayers money vary from nation to nation.

therefore, the subject is still debatable.