Marc My Words.
From Marc Alexander MP 7 November 2003
United Future NZ-Christchurch Supplement
Making cents makes more sense!
Helen Clark's government is largely supported by the largesse it extends to those who, in turn, reward the hand that
feeds them, with their vote.
These benefits handed out like lollies, feed a dependence that only serves the interest of the State. And the public is
becoming aware that governments are costly and wasteful. The financial burden of government is carried by the people
themselves.
The legacy of such an expansion of dependence means that while there are 870,000 adults who mainly rely on the State for
their benefits - there are only 1,550,000 adults to pay for them. Looking at it another way, for every full-time tax
paying worker there are 56 full-time beneficiaries!
Clearly this is untenable in the long term. The current taxes that need to be paid through income tax, GST, excise,
company taxes and levies are unsustainable and cannot but fuel dependency in two crucial ways. First, by imposing an
impost on earnings, thus restricting effective consumption power and driving down the value of remuneration, at the same
time raising the margin of dependence.
Second, the economic drag that unreasonable taxation places upon the viability of businesses simply dampens innovation -
gives reasons for the flight of talent and capital out of the country - and reduces economic activity. Either way, the
result will be a less fertile economic landscape in which to grow employment possibilities and the wealth of this
nation.
It's time, surely, for the Government to help enlarge the 'cake' before greedily considering how it's to be sliced up.
Business must be able to stay competitive, grow and make a profit - and that before the Government can step in and do
the taxing.
Otherwise the baker needn't bother!
ENDS