Friday, March 30, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
$150 = $300
That's right friends, only in this country does a $150 plane ticket end up costing you almost $300. Why, because of the excessive taxes that our fine friends in the Dominican government like to charge us. Its a good thing we don't rely on tourism as a country... and that all the people here are so rich... I mean, these taxes are ridiculous. In contrast, the US government charges less than $20 per person, while our friends in the Dominican Republic government are asking for over $100. Mind you these are only the 'International Departure Tax' and 'International Fee's'... there are a few more taxes involved if you actually buy the tickets in the DR... 26% sales tax... it is really ridiculous.
That's right friends, only in this country does a $150 plane ticket end up costing you almost $300. Why, because of the excessive taxes that our fine friends in the Dominican government like to charge us. Its a good thing we don't rely on tourism as a country... and that all the people here are so rich... I mean, these taxes are ridiculous. In contrast, the US government charges less than $20 per person, while our friends in the Dominican Republic government are asking for over $100. Mind you these are only the 'International Departure Tax' and 'International Fee's'... there are a few more taxes involved if you actually buy the tickets in the DR... 26% sales tax... it is really ridiculous.
The worst part about this, is not even the taxes themselves, its the blatant way in which the government corruption makes all that money disappear. You have no idea the number of poor people who enter the government, and let me tell you, by the time they are done, they have made their bank account rise by a couple significant factors.
But I digress... no one seems to give a shit about this country, so why should I. for now, I would simply be happy if they where to stop hiking up the prices of the damn plane tickets.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Go NCF Yourself!
Its been a while since I posted, but that by no means implies that the humor in Dominican society has come to an end. Quite the contrary. In fact, I have a bone to pick with the number one clowns in the country - the government (no surprise here right).
So where to start? Ok, lets focus this post (and probably many more to come in the future) on the amazingly complex over-reaction to tax evasion.
The government, in all their endless wisdom has decided to, with a single new initiative, to increase the amount of paper required to do business, increase the overhead of ALL SMALL BUSINESSES and create an environment in which tax evasion is more pervasive than ever, as the costs of trying to comply are so incredibly complex that complying will surly prove too difficult to last forever.
The idea they have implemented is not new. My understanding is that it exists in various other countries, but as anyone who knows the DR, this is not a country ready to have overly elaborate and complex procedures put into place - for gods' sake, this country has at least a 60% illiteracy rate.
So now the idea. It seems simple. Every invoice has to have a government tracking number for the sole purpose of ensuring that all these thieving companies pay their taxes.... or at least those working with a single set of books. It seems simple enough until you consider that most businesses in the country are not prepared to manage this new system, especially with the little amount of training that has been publicly provided.... at least in the rural areas.
To me this seems like a ploy to gain more money on fines... so the honchos in the government can buy more Mercedes'. Sad but true. Its so ridiculous, that I doubt that any company investing in the DR will feel comfortable putting all but the most minimum capital investment into the shores of this fine thieving country.
There are those who feel that the taxes will obviously go to good causes, but I fail to see how building a Metro in a country with such poor education and a health care system that makes the US look good, is even thinking.
Naturally, one must understand that in this country, people never think about making it big in business with great ideas and concepts, rather, those who aspire to be rich and powerful tend to go into politics. As a poor man elected to office can come out a rich and powerful man.
Please understand that I am in no way implying that all politicians are corrupt vultures sucking the life out of the country... I am sure there are one or two that are not bright enough to understand and one or two who foolishly believe they can make a difference.... suckers!
I'm a little cynical at the moment.... but that does not negate the fact that it is true. Sad. But true.
Its been a while since I posted, but that by no means implies that the humor in Dominican society has come to an end. Quite the contrary. In fact, I have a bone to pick with the number one clowns in the country - the government (no surprise here right).
So where to start? Ok, lets focus this post (and probably many more to come in the future) on the amazingly complex over-reaction to tax evasion.
The government, in all their endless wisdom has decided to, with a single new initiative, to increase the amount of paper required to do business, increase the overhead of ALL SMALL BUSINESSES and create an environment in which tax evasion is more pervasive than ever, as the costs of trying to comply are so incredibly complex that complying will surly prove too difficult to last forever.
The idea they have implemented is not new. My understanding is that it exists in various other countries, but as anyone who knows the DR, this is not a country ready to have overly elaborate and complex procedures put into place - for gods' sake, this country has at least a 60% illiteracy rate.
So now the idea. It seems simple. Every invoice has to have a government tracking number for the sole purpose of ensuring that all these thieving companies pay their taxes.... or at least those working with a single set of books. It seems simple enough until you consider that most businesses in the country are not prepared to manage this new system, especially with the little amount of training that has been publicly provided.... at least in the rural areas.
To me this seems like a ploy to gain more money on fines... so the honchos in the government can buy more Mercedes'. Sad but true. Its so ridiculous, that I doubt that any company investing in the DR will feel comfortable putting all but the most minimum capital investment into the shores of this fine thieving country.
There are those who feel that the taxes will obviously go to good causes, but I fail to see how building a Metro in a country with such poor education and a health care system that makes the US look good, is even thinking.
Naturally, one must understand that in this country, people never think about making it big in business with great ideas and concepts, rather, those who aspire to be rich and powerful tend to go into politics. As a poor man elected to office can come out a rich and powerful man.
Please understand that I am in no way implying that all politicians are corrupt vultures sucking the life out of the country... I am sure there are one or two that are not bright enough to understand and one or two who foolishly believe they can make a difference.... suckers!
I'm a little cynical at the moment.... but that does not negate the fact that it is true. Sad. But true.
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