Online feedback

Below are edited excerpts from comments posted by readers online at www.jamaica-gleaner.com reacting to yesterday's lead story 'Un-beer-able' - Red Stripe, Wisynco angered by Shaw's revised alcohol tax measures'.

Eeny, meeny, miney mo?

I am not qualified to make a determination as to whose case has more merit, whether Red Stripe or Wray and Nephew, but the Ministry of Finance sure as hell is supposed to. Their actions in this case displays incompetence of the highest order.

The minister announces new taxes and Red Stripe is pleased and Wray and Nephew is upset. So he goes and make another announcement and now Wray and Nephew is pleased and Red Stripe is upset. What the hell are they doing over there? Playing 'eeny meeny miny mo'?

- Roanja

Boycott them!

If Red Stripe leaves Jamaica, every Jamaican at home and abroad should boycott the company - then we will see who has the upper hand. Let's see how much profit they will make without Jamaican consumers.

These people think they are running a charitable organisation, talking about biting the hands that feed you. Let us remind them that they are running a business. For too long these companies have become filthy rich off 'Brand Jamaica', and now the cry because they have to give something back.

- Namey-Namey

Time to be tough

It's amazing how the rich in this country do not want to pay taxes. When government increases taxes which affect the poorer workers I don't hear these rich people calling for roll backs, but as soon as it affects them they are ready to hijack the Government.

It's time the Government starts to govern for the majority and not only for the rich. They collect our taxes (in PAYE) even before we get our salaries, but they have difficulties collecting from the rich.

All who want to move their businesses to another country, should go ahead and then we'll boycott their products. The Government can't please everyone and it must be tough and stop giving in to the minority because they are sponsoring their election campaign.

- JAK

A teachable moment

Is there anyone out there who still believes that the Government has the backbone to stand up to the multi-national companies? This is what the Americans call "a teachable moment". Watch for a while as those big companies make the Government bend to their will.

It pains me to see the Government of my country being handled in such an embarrassingly disrespectful way in public. I would have thought that as has always been the case, these companies would have pulled a few ministers into their offices and read them the riot act.

- Errol L