The value added tax (VAT) rate and the taxation of web shops

Ryan Pinder: VAT rate will depend on web shop taxes

By KRYSTEL ROLLE-BROWNR
Guardian Staff Reporter
krystel@nasguard.com

The value-added tax (VAT) rate will depend in part on the amount of money the government is able to derive from the taxation of web shops, Minister of Financial Services Ryan Pinder said yesterday.

"One of the reasons that the prime minister could say that we’re not going to come in at a 15 percent rate is because there is now discussion about the regularization and taxation of domestic gaming and that industry,” Pinder told The Guardian.

“Well what that does is that broadens that tax base, and when you broaden the tax base, tax rates come down and can be lower with less impact on Bahamian people and that's ultimately what we're trying to do.

“…When you see other industries that aren’t taxed that you can bring into the tax rate, the rate goes down.”

Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe announced earlier this month that Cabinet will review a proposal to regulate web shops by the end of this month.

Wilchcombe is pushing to regulate web shops by July 1.

The government is expected to tax web shops and winnings.

The taxation of web shops and the introduction of VAT are components of the government’s plan to improve the country’s finances.

Christie said recently the government will introduce VAT at a rate lower than the 15 percent previously announced.

Pinder said the government is still working to determine the introductory rate.

The government’s considerations will be influenced by the Coalition for Responsible Taxation, which is conducting a study on VAT and other tax alternatives.

While the coalition said it will present an alternative that the government could effectively implement by July 1, Pinder said the coalition’s report, “could effect the timing of the implementation”.

The government’s target date is July 1.

But Christie has hinted there might be a delay.

Christie also said he can still be persuaded by the private sector to introduce an alternative tax if it proves to be viable.

Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation Chester Cooper said yesterday that while it is still unclear what direction the tax conversation will go, the chamber is helping businesses prepare for the introduction of VAT.

The chamber established the Coalition for Responsible Taxation.

“Our view is the government says it’s going to be VAT and therefore our members must be prepared for VAT,” he said.

Cooper said the chamber is conducting workshops for business owners across the country.

March 25, 2014

thenassauguardian

Fred Mitchell is on the right side of history with respect to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gender (LGBT) issue

The Bible And Lgbt Rights

By RUPERT MISSICK Jr:



THE discussion between popular preacher Dr Myles Munroe and Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell has been an interesting one. Interesting only because it is fascinating watching someone with a bigoted position attempt to maintain their civility while still holding fast to their bigotry.

In a recent speech he gave in Trinidad and Tobago, Mr Mitchell said his political career suffers because of his position on LGBT matters.

Almost on cue, Dr Munroe told the press that he recommended that the prime minister consider removing Mr Mitchell from his post as foreign affairs minister because his personal opinions may interfere with his objectivity in carrying out his duties in representing the viewpoint of Bahamian people, meaning that support of LGBT issues did not represent the majority of the convictions of the Bahamian people.

Dr Munroe’s position was predictable. Nearly all preachers run to the “solace” of the Scripture to justify their bigoted positions. On one hand you can’t blame them because it is to be expected. I mean you do expect a lawyer to refer to his law books. But the Bible isn’t a law book.

The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, cannot be the basis of forming a just and equal society because it doesn’t treat everyone equally and it is not just.

The Bible is like your schizophrenic uncle, you love him, you respect him but you have to take what he says in context and usually with a grain of salt.

Is your schizophrenic uncle right about some things? Sure. Does that make him someone you should follow blindly and without question. Probably not.

Because one minute this uncle loves you more than anything in the universe and the next he’s willing to smite you for an offence as simple as doing the laundry on the Sabbath or ready to declare you unclean for something your body does naturally.

Let’s face it, no one lives by Biblical standards, not because the road to righteousness is tough but because it’s impossible. And let’s be honest, as far as a rule book goes it’s filled with contradictory nonsense.

If our lives depended on following the Bible to the letter, then we’d all be dead. Literally. In the words of Psalm 130:3 if the “...Lord marked our guilt, who would survive”.

The Bible is right about loving your neighbour as yourself, being non-judgmental and taking care of the widowed, the poor and the sick. It’s not right about gay people.

It is as wrong about gay people as it was wrong to support slavery and the subjugation of women.

Any book that can be used to support laws that bolstered segregation, the outlawing of interracial marriage, laws preventing women from voting and the right of one group to assert itself over the next, among a plethora of human-rights abuses, deserves our scepticism.

Last year, Mr Mitchell publicly declared his support for the gay rights cause, calling it part of the ongoing fight against all forms of injustice around the world.

Speaking at a church service for Nelson Mandela, Mr Mitchell said although it faces much local opposition, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gender (LGBT) movement is part of the universal struggle against discrimination symbolised by the beloved South African leader.

Mr Mitchell is on the right side of history with respect to this issue.

As with interracial marriage before it, many will look back and wonder what all the fuss was about. As more and more countries and states accept LGBT unions and after society and the “sanctity of marriage” doesn’t go to hell in a hand-basket, the religious anxieties over the issue will fade.

The Charter of the United Nations encourages “respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction”. Similarly, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1945) states in Article 2: “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind.”

Despite this, the rights of all citizens of this and other countries, even those who have signed these treaties are not being protected.

LGBT people are being separated by the fact that one set of privileges and rights are being afforded to one group, but not to them.

March 17, 2014

Tribune242

The People’s Foundation Economic Empowerment Organisation (TPFEO) alternative to Value Added Tax (VAT)

Group Suggests Exporting Natural Resources as VAT Alternative

By Jones Bahamas:

Rather than implementing Value Added Tax (VAT), the People’s Foundation Economic Empowerment Organisation (TPFEO) is a calling on the government to tax companies whom they claim gain billions of dollars from mining and exporting the country’s natural resources.

President of the TPFEO Pastor Micklyn Seymour said if the government were to tax these companies appropriately the country’s national debt could be reduced.

“It is a known fact that our nation has some of the richest deposits and best qualities of calcium, aragonite and salt found in the world,” Pastor Seymour said.

“It is also a known fact that every year, tons of these minerals are being exported to the benefit of a few persons and to the disadvantage of the many. These products are generating billions of dollars on a yearly basis for these companies that have been allowed to mine these minerals with little or no benefit to the country.”

Mr. Seymour said the country’s natural resources have been exploited for too long and it will give the government two weeks to be transparent and reveal the names of the companies he alleged are guilty of this before his organisation goes ahead and releases the information.

The organisation’s president is also calling for the government to amend laws to facilitate the nationalisation and ownership of all natural resources and minerals to Bahamians.

He added that the government should also consider creating a ministry that focuses on managing The Bahamas’ natural resources.

“Establish a Ministry of Natural Resources to manage and make policies which will have direct responsibility for all natural resources and do researches relative to the development of these areas,” Mr. Seymour said.
“Thus, hereby ensuring transparency and accountability and that the interest of the Bahamian people would be safeguarded.”

Mr. Seymour added the organisation is preparing to launch a national campaign to educate Bahamians on the country’s natural resources, which he said could be a billion dollar industry.

March 19, 2014

The Bahama Journal

Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) debate marijuana medical use... the decriminalisation of small quantities for recreational use ...and the economic benefits that might be derived from marijuana cultivation

Regional Commission to address the issues regarding marijuana use mandated by CARICOM Heads

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) - Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have mandated that a Regional Commission be set up to address issues identified in relation to marijuana use.
 
This announcement was made by Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government, Dr. the Hon Ralph Gonsalves during a press conference that concluded the 25th Intersessional Meeting Tuesday in St Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday.

Dr. Gonsalves disclosed that the Heads of Government engaged in intense discussions on the issue. The debate, he said, covered its medical use and the decriminalising of small quantities for recreational use. He explained that the economic benefits that might be derived from marijuana cultivation was also explored.

The Community Chairman expressed that there were also concerns raised during deliberations about the repercussions that would come from legalizing or even decriminalizing marijuana. Particular apprehensions were raised regarding potential public and mental health aspects of its use.

Heads of Government also recognised the need for careful in-depth research of the various implications of the measures contemplated during the deliberations.

The mandated commission is expected to address the issues identified along with any others deemed relevant in providing clear guidance for the tough decisions that will need to be made in relation to this matter. The Commission is expected to report to the Regular Meeting of the Conference in July 2014.

“In relation to this issue we have obviously taken more than baby steps. We want the issue to be addressed in a serious, mature manner” Dr. Gonsalves said.

March 13, 2014

CARICOM

If value-added tax (VAT) is implemented on July 1, 2014 ...total chaos will erupt

Banker: ‘Total chaos’ without VAT delay

Top investment banker points to unanswered questions; says tax alternatives could take place in interim

By ALISON LOWE
Guardian Business Editor
alison@nasguard.com

“Total chaos” will result if value-added tax (VAT) is implemented come July 1 of this year, a top investment banker has warned, arguing that “too many questions remain unanswered” and the uncertainty surrounding the matter is causing major companies to hold off on investment plans.

Michael Anderson, RoyalFidelity Merchant Bank and Trust’s president, said that as far as he can tell, the current implementation date for VAT – given the lack of passage of legislation or significant public education – is “not viable”.

He suggested there should be a delay of at least six months to allow for a reasonable time to prepare for the tax to come into effect.

In the meantime, whether or not VAT is implemented in July, Anderson, who is involved with raising capital for many major companies in The Bahamas, said uncertainty over what will happen with VAT is “already showing up in the markets”.

Noting that there has been an “increased level of activity” of late with respect to companies taking an interest in coming to the market for capital raising, he said that whether or not VAT is implemented, and the potential financial impact of the new tax should it come into effect, is a “key issue they are trying to resolve” before making a final determination on moving ahead with investment plans.

“It’s showing up in the reluctance of people to do certain things. I’m involved with a couple of companies looking to raise capital and do projects that are basically on hold. I think the impact is seen in a lack of progress in various situations already. The question is, ‘how do I deal with this issue?’ They are holding off until that knowledge is available.”

The government has proposed VAT to be implemented at a rate of 15 per cent on July 1st, with the tax acting as a cornerstone of its efforts to plug its widening fiscal deficit and growing national debt. With the disclosure that the government now intends to regularize and tax numbers houses, Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis has hinted lately that the government may “relax” on this revenue-raising measure, but to date there has been no commitment to delay the implementation of the tax – or do away with it altogether – which many private sector stakeholders across a number of industries have called for.

The government has committed to paying attention to the results of a study commissioned by private sector group, the Coalition for Responsible Taxation, on the likely impact of VAT and possible alternatives. That study is due around the beginning of May.

Anderson said that there is a deficiency of information in the public domain which would allow companies to adequately prepare for the tax’s implementation, should it go ahead on July 1.

His comments suggest that whether or not the government decides to go ahead with implementing VAT at a rate of 15 per cent on July 1 or not, clarity would contribute to allowing the continuation of economic activity in the meantime.

“With the presentation on this there seems to be more questions that get raised and left unanswered. There’s a large number of unanswered questions. You’ve got the whole infrastructure, the reporting systems, and the testing of them; there are too many pieces of the puzzle that remain unresolved or incomplete.”

Such concerns were echoed recently in the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Article IV Consultation report on The Bahamas. In that report, released last week, the multilateral financial institution said that first year revenues from VAT will come in at just 1.3 percent of GDP, almost a full percentage point lower than that forecast by the government.

This projection was attributed in part to delays in rolling out the public campaign on VAT and in the passage of the necessary legislation, along with a lack of local experience in managing the collection of such a tax. The IMF supports the implementation of VAT overall, pointing in the report to the negative fiscal effects of delaying its roll-out and calling for it to take place in a timely fashion.

However, its comments linking the delays in the public campaign surrounding VAT and the passage of the legislation to potentially detrimental effects on its ability to raise revenue for the government, suggest that it too might see the benefits of a delay in the short term.

If such a delay were to occur, said Anderson, the potential impact on government revenues would be mitigated by recently announced plans to ensure the regularization and taxation of numbers houses.

And like the coalition, Anderson also pointed to a payroll tax as relatively easy-to-implement, revenue-raising measure that could be put into effect in the interim.

“You may find it’s a number of taxes that take over and you don’t have to get the full impact of VAT,” he said, adding that whenever the government chooses to move ahead with the tax it will have a “problematic effect”.

“It’s not a simple tax,” he said.

March 13, 2014

thenassauguardian

Failing to implement Value Added Tax (VAT) would see The Bahamas Government’s fiscal consolidation plans “veer considerably off track... says the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Gov't To Collect Just Over Half Initial Vat Goal

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Government will realise just over half of its projected Value-Added Tax (VAT) net revenue increase in the first year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned, with forecast increases in Customs and real property taxes also over-optimistic.

The IMF, in its long-awaited Article IV report on the Bahamas, said the likely delays in implementing VAT, and this lack of nation’s inexperience in managing it, given the absence of an already-existing consumption tax, meant first year revenues from the new tax were likely to amount to just 1.3 per cent of GDP.

That percentage is almost a full percentage point lower than the 2.2 per cent net revenue gain the Government is forecasting. In dollar terms, assuming an $8 billion Bahamian GDP, the IMF’s 1.3 per cent is equivalent to a $104 million revenue increase - more than $70 million below the Government’s $176 million.

The Article IV report also suggested that the Government had over-estimated the revenue boost it would receive from ongoing Customs and real property tax reforms.

While the Ministry of Finance has pegged the improvement as equivalent to 0.5 per cent of GDP for Customs, and 1 per cent for real property tax, the IMF’s are 0.3 per cent and 0.6 per cent, respectively.

Collectively, the IMF’s projections are for revenue improvements that, in dollar terms, are $48 million below the Government’s for Customs and real property tax reforms.

The Fund, meanwhile, placed delays in implementing fiscal consolidation as among the risks likely to have the greatest negative impact on the Bahamian economy, alongside crime, a major hurricane, another US fiscal shock and “disappointing results” from Baha Mar’s operational start.

Apart from crime and a natural disaster, the IMF rated a delay in fiscal consolidation as the most likely of these scenarios to happen - something that could “pose risks to long-term debt sustainability and the country’s investment grade credit rating”.

This again shows the pressure the Government is under to make meaningful revenue and fiscal reforms, while at the same time doing nothing that would impair economic growth.

It also highlights the dilemma facing the Christie administration and private sector, which have agreed that reform must happen but are divided on the ‘what’ and ‘how’. In trying to ensure the Bahamas makes the right decision, neither can delay indefinitely.

Touting VAT as providing “a more efficient means to broaden the tax base, increase revenues and improve the effectiveness of tax administration more generally”, the IMF report said the proposed 15 per cent rate, based on experience, was likely to generate gross revenues equivalent to 7 per cent of GDP.

This translates into $560 million, in line with the Government’s projections, with the Christie administration’s VAT net revenue gain pegged at 2.2 per cent of GDP.

The IMF, though, cast doubt on whether the Government would hit that target in the 2014-2015 fiscal year, if indeed it is introduced in time, due to “capacity limitations in revenue management”.

“Other limiting factors in the initial year of the reform include delays in rolling out the public campaign and securing passage of relevant legislation in Parliament, which could complicate the timely acquisition and testing of IT systems needed in both the public and private sectors,” the Fund added.

“The absence of a consumption tax, and the lack of local experience in its management, would contain the initial revenue gains from the VAT as well. Because of these constraints, staff projects the net revenue gain from the VAT at 1.3 per cent of GDP for the initial fiscal year 2014-2015.”

The IMF warned, though, that failing to implement VAT would see the Government’s fiscal consolidation plans “veer considerably off track”, with the central government’s debt-to-GDP ratio “already above” 60 per cent by the time the next fiscal year starts.

“Staff underscored setting the VAT base as broadly as possible, and encouraged the authorities to ensure that adequate efforts and resources are deployed to secure the timely implementation of the reform,” the Fund added.

It also disclosed that, combined, the Customs and real property tax departments were generating revenues “below 50 per cent of the potential”.

“The Bahamian Customs and real property tax departments rely heavily on manual procedures and outdated information systems. As a result, revenue collection is currently estimated at below 50 per cent of the potential,” the Article IV report said.

“Envisaged reforms aim to bring management of the two revenue agencies up to international standards, involving extensive computerisation of revenue assessment and collection functions, and introduction of risk-based monitoring of operations.

“Staff concurred with the authorities that reform of the two revenue departments could yield significant revenue gains. However, given pervasive capacity limitations and the record of low tax compliance, staff urged caution in factoring the anticipated revenue improvements into the medium-term fiscal framework.”

Elsewhere, the IMF report showed that collective public corporation debt (guaranteed by the Bahamian taxpayer for the likes of Bahamasair, Water & Sewerage etc) had increased from 10.5 per cent of GDP in December 2008 to 16 per cent at end-June 20134.

“The Bahamian public corporations continue to face significant financial challenges, notably stemming from inefficiencies in operations (excessive staffing, aged facilities), but also reflecting these entities’ tacit social duty to provide affordable services to all residents including in remote Family Islands,” the Fund added.

The Government’s fiscal plan calls for tax revenue to increase by an average 0.8 percentage points of GDP over the next five years, with the debt-to-GDP ratio falling from a 59.5 per cent peak to 55 per cent by the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

The bulk of the revenue increase will come from VAT, with “only moderate savings achieved on government expenditures in view of limited spending flexibility”.

With Baha Mar and other projects set to boost private sector employment prospects, the IMF said 
“pressure on central government hiring should be manageable beyond 2014, permitting limitation of wage outlays to the last three years’ average of 7.4 per cent of GDP”.

But, despite government projections that the existing 1.9 per cent primary budget deficit will be balanced by the next fiscal year, the IMF warned that there were “downside risks” due to over-optimistic fiscal and growth forecasts in the past.

“The forecast track record shows a tendency toward optimism in staff forecasts of real GDP growth and the primary balance, pointing to downside risks to the baseline scenario. This underscores the need for rigorous adherence to the ongoing fiscal consolidation programme,” the IMF said.

March 10, 2014

Tribune 242

Fred Mitchell on CARICOM

Saving CARICOM, pt. 5

This commentary is taken from a lecture given by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell on February 6 at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago. Mitchell’s address was on “Saving CARICOM”. This is the final part of the lecture.

 This brings me to my pet peeve, the nature and culture of our decision making around the region. It is manifested in the suggestions which The Bahamas advances each year on the length, for example, of opening ceremonies of CARICOM gatherings. Try as we might, those ceremonies continue to take far too long and interfere in my respectful view in the timely dispatch of the work of the body. That is just symptomatic of what I call the deliberative nature of our culture.

In other words, we like to talk.

Mr. Anthony in the chamber address again says: “The simple truth is that decision making, especially in the all critical area of trade when time is of essence, has become cumbersome, layered, and bureaucratic. For instance, it takes months to get a decision from COTED and by the time the decision arrives the reason for the request ceases to be relevant, or the situation which necessitated the request has so deteriorated that the initial solution is no longer the answer to the problem.”

Those who are familiar with the negotiations on the Carib/Can agreement will know of which the prime minister speaks.

In our meetings and visits, we are fond of invoking the Singapore model for development. However, we must realize as Sam Huntington, the Harvard professor, makes clear in his seminal work “Political Order in Changing Societies” that there is a trade-off between rapid development and growth on the one hand and democracy on the other. That trade-off seems to be that if you want rapid growth and development at the same time, then you have to move toward a more authoritarian model of governance. That may work in Asia but I dare say is inimical to the way we do business in the region. However, something must be done to reduce the amount of words expended and to increase the level of action and dispatch.

So now can I pull all of this together in some coherent way.

It is clear that The Bahamas, and I think that the CARICOM project, has much to recommend itself.

I have said in another context that if CARICOM did not exist, it would have to be invented. There is no more efficient way to conduct ourselves as small countries but in some sort of multinational supra-body that will deal with the old traditional world powers.

CARICOM for good or ill is that body. There has been too much concentration on the issues of market and economy and not enough on how we actually function and how our people actually succeed and work together.

Clearly in terms of institutional arrangements The Bahamas has some way to go in convincing its public that this is a good religion to adopt but I think we are mainly there. We have put our money where our mouth is.

As we say in our country: “Talk is cheap; money buy land.”

I want to borrow from the convergence model and suggest a couple of items that ought to be carried out with dispatch.

In this summary, I mention first of all the strengthening of the powers and human resources of the secretariat and more reliable and dedicated funding mechanisms.

Secondly, the closer coordination of the foreign policy of CARICOM to leverage the number of votes we have in international bodies for the benefit of the region.

I recall the recent visit to the region of a Canadian minister of state in the Ministry of External Affairs who came to remind The Bahamas and other CARICOM countries that they should not support a mooted push by Qatar to move the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) from Montreal to Doha because of our traditional friendship. It was a very interesting statement given the difficulty our nations often have when seeking to get results in Ottawa, even a simple meeting with public officials or resolving the tortuous issues of visas for our students.

Leveraging in this context should become a fine art for CARICOM.

I also believe that we ought to have a more structured approach in our relations with the United States. One idea is for greater access of our young people into the tertiary level institutions of that country with a right to live and work there in pursuit of training opportunities.

Thirdly, I call for a specific focus on the development of young people including a commitment to double the investment in education over the next five years.

Fourthly, that our ministers of culture, trade and finance continue to build on ways to improve the ability of youngsters to use their raw talents to build wealth for this region.

I recall a 17 year old from Britain who was hailed as a genius because he made millions from an app, which he invented. I pointed out that we have that same genius in the Caribbean but perhaps we do not recognize it.

Did not Usain Bolt, a young man from Jamaica, come from poor and humble circumstances and using his talent, this genius, transform his life into one that is worth a fortune? And, in the process, he lifted the collective spirit of Jamaica out of despair. I worry about him and others who emulate him; that they are not taken advantage of by the commercial hucksters of this life. Encouraging the Bolts of this world, nurturing them, supporting them, educating them, protecting them; that is a role that governments can do by their policies.

Not only is this true in sports but in all cultural spheres including music, drama and the arts.

This is a mission which former Prime Minister Patterson speaks to with some urgency.

Fifthly, I believe that we ought to declare a state of emergency in relation to the development of boys and men. We cannot continue along the path of the dysfunctions which now obtain across our societies where so many men and boys are not participating in the society but instead embrace a life of violence and crime or a lack of “stickability”. I say this with the greatest of respect and honor to the millions of men and boys who do get it and who do succeed but we must reach back and help to lift our fallen brothers. Our women too should recognize the urgency of this problem even as they take their rightful place in society. They have an interest in resolving this issue as well.

I am asking that CARICOM embrace this as a priority in fixing our problems. We will not regret it.

Finally, we must all commit to telling the CARICOM story. This means people-to-people engagement, improved and increased travel and transportation links. The leaders themselves should travel and interact in the jurisdictions of the other. It is to build that chemistry about which Kenny Anthony spoke.

When I was opposition spokesman on foreign affairs during the period 2007 to 2012, I continued to travel to the region and pay official calls on governments and opposition leaders. There was a look of consternation often on the faces of many when I visited. There was apoplexy back in the capital by my political opponents at home. However, I wanted to lead by example. CARICOM must be a continuing project and enterprise in or out of government. The project is both formal and informal. What may be posited about that project is that its success is ensured by turning specialized functions into localized actions the region over.

Lastly, I mention again the need to revisit the charter and to reflect the broader embrace of the issues and begin the conversation on public policy and sexual orientation as one of the characteristics for which there can be no discrimination.

There are a number of other important public policy issues which require focus. Clearly these would include climate change and our continued dependence on fossil fuels, transportation and migration, which must be solved. The commonalities of dependence and vulnerability within the context of energy and climate change make these policy developments imperative.

However, I believe if we fix the problems of structure and decision making and human rights issues, our ability to resolve the others will follow. In any event, I have spoken too long and it is time to stop. In our country we say: “You must talk some and keep some.” The process of saving CARICOM is ongoing. Each generation is called to take the project further. I would not urge despair.

Kamau Brathwaite, the Barbadian writer, reminds us in Negus:

It is not enough to be free

of the whips, principalities and powers.

where is your kingdom of the word…

It is not enough to be free

of malaria fevers of the hurricane,

fear of invasions, crops’ drought, fire’s

blister upon the cane…

It is not enough to be able to fly to Miami,

structure skyscrapers, excavate the moon-

scaped seashore sands

to build hotels, casinos, sepulchres…

 

It is not enough

to be pause, to be hole

to be void, to be silent

to be semicolon, to be semicolony…

To which I add a loud hallelujah and amen!

Once again, I am deeply grateful for this invitation to speak here this evening.

Thank you and good evening.

March 10, 2014

- Saving CARICOM, pt. 1

- Saving CARICOM, pt. 2

- Saving CARICOM, pt. 3

- Saving CARICOM pt.4

thenassauguardian