Goods and Services Tax and Elections

The goods and services tax (GST) as proposed in this year's budget is a good idea from the point of view of providing a more stable tax income and a broader tax base. It would be quite reasonable in a more open and democratic society where the tax payer has a more direct say on where and how the tax money so collected are spent. Unfortunately it is not the case in Hong Kong at the moment. It is more like taxation without representation.

It can be claimed that the Hong Kong tax payers are indirectly represented, however indirectly through the appointed councilors and small functional constituencies. By the same reasoning, it can be argued that the average Hong Kong citizens (who are not paying direct taxes such as income tax) are also indirectly contributing to the tax income by working hard and helping others make the money from which taxes are paid. Now they are being asked to pay more directly.

I am firmly in support of no taxation without representation, and the complementary taxation therefore representation. I trust that many people are happy to pay a little more direct taxes in the form of an universal GST but please give us also the same but deserved right to direct elections and universal suffrage.