Australian Capitalism And Gst Essays - Tax Reform, Value-added Tax

Australian Capitalism And Gst Essays - Tax Reform, Value-added Tax Australian Capitalism And Gst On the 13th August 1998, the Prime Minister, The Hon John Howard MP held a press conference at Parliament House to launch the Federal Government's tax plan for Australia's future. The plan incorporates significant historic changes to the Australian taxation system, which are to be guided by five key principles. The key principle of the Federal Government's tax reform proposal that is creating speculation and debate is the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax, commonly known as GST. This consumption tax has come under intense public and political scrutiny and questions have been raised as to the economic fairness of this proposal. According to Macionis and Plummer (1997, p.420) capitalist economies produce a higher overall standard of living but also generate greater income disparity. The inequity of Australia's current economy is evident from the media release issued by the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) 4pm Wednesday 17 March 1999 in response to the taxation statistics that were released the same day. Michael Raper, President of ACOSS stated that the taxation statistics revealed the gross inequalities in the distribution of wealth in Australian society today with The top 10% of Australians owning 52% of the nation's wealth, while the bottom half owns a paltry 3%. On balance, does a capitalist economy promote a fair distribution of wealth and social power? I say not. Political support is gained by appealing to members of society with promises to act in their interests, more often directing this appeal to those individuals with wealth, social power and influence. The multi-million dollar advertising campaigns supporting the Federal Government's tax reform package and in particular the proposal of the Goods and Services Tax is funded by big businesses. The same big businesses that will benefit from the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax and that will benefit from the 30% cap on the Capital Gains Tax, an option being considered that can only strengthen the big businesses social power and capitalist ventures within Australian society. This supports the Marxists theory that states Basically, the state always works in the interests of the dominant, ruling, economic class: it favours and supports 'capital'. (Macionis et al 1997, p.452) A media release issued Wednesday 14 October 1998 by the National Tax and Accountants Association in regard to the inequity of the proposed income tax system also supports the Marxist theory. According to Ray Regan, President of the National Tax and Accountants Association, under a GST big businesses will continue to fly first class, travel around in their limousines, go on junket trips overseas and live a lavish lifestyle, but not pay one cent more tax. This is not a fair taxation system; an efficient taxation system should not be beneficial to some and not others. Bennett (1992, p.222) writes, Politicians rarely confront the public face to face to discuss issues and policy yet it is accepted practice in the Australian political arena. Instead of making an effort to understand issues too many people base their decisions on what they are told and accept this at face value, they do not question or seek out the underlying truths. An example of this is the initial media representation of the Goods and Services Tax exemptions. The government believes that to apply GST to education would discriminate against private providers (The Howard Government 1998). The exemptions were accepted and applauded by the public as they were led to believe that all charges, in particular regard to education, were to be exempt. The National Tax and Accountants Association soon alerted the public of this gross misrepresentation. Ray Regan in a media release issued 30 July 1998 states, it is very important for the public to quickly understand that with health, education and childcare the Government is most certainly not talking about a blanket exemption whatsoever. In reality, each of these three essential items will have many componentsthat will be subject to the new GST tax which people will have to pay for the rest of their lives. The GST exemption is applicable to school fees only, not uniforms, texts, transport etc. essential components of the current education system. The equity of GST-free private education that includes boarding school accommodation should also

Paraguay Geography

Paraguay Geography Population: 6,375,830 (July 2010 estimate)Capital: AsuncionBordering Countries: Argentina, Bolivia, and BrazilLand Area: 157,047 square miles (406,752 sq km)Highest Point: Cerro Pero at 2,762 feet (842 m)Lowest Point: Junction of the Rio Paraguay and the Rio Parana at 150 feet (46 m)Paraguay is a large landlocked country located on the Rio Paraguay in South America. It is bordered to the south and southwest by Argentina, to the east and northeast by Brazil and to the northwest by Bolivia. Paraguay is also located in the center of South America and as such, it is sometimes called the Corazon de America or Heart of America. History of Paraguay The earliest inhabitants of Paraguay were semi-nomadic tribes that spoke Guarani. In 1537, Asuncion, Paraguays capital today, was founded by Juan de Salazar, a Spanish explorer. Shortly thereafter, the area became a Spanish colonial province, of which Asuncion was the capital. In 1811 though, Paraguay overthrew the local Spanish government and declared its independence.After its independence, Paraguay went through a number of different leaders and from 1864 to 1870, it was engaged in the War of the Triple Alliance against Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. During that war, Paraguay lost half of its population. Brazil then occupied Paraguay until 1874. Beginning in 1880, the Colorado Party controlled Paraguay until 1904. In that year, the Liberal Party took control and ruled until 1940.During the 1930s and 1940s, Paraguay was unstable due to the Chaco War with Bolivia and a period of instable dictatorships. In 1954, General Alfredo Stroessner took power and ruled Paraguay for 35 years, d uring which time the countrys people had few freedoms. In 1989, Stroessner was overthrown and General Andres Rodriguez took power. During his time in power, Rodriguez focused on political and economic reforms and built relationships with foreign nations.In 1992, Paraguay adopted a constitution with goals of maintaining a democratic government and protecting peoples rights. In 1993, Juan Carlos Wasmosy became Paraguays first civilian president in many years.The late 1990s and early 2000s were again dominated by political instability after attempted government overthrows, the assassination of the vice president and impeachments. In 2003, Nicanor Duarte Frutos was elected as president with goals of improving Paraguays economy, which he did significantly during his time in office. In 2008, Fernando Lugo was elected and his main goals, are reducing government corruption and economic inequalities. Government of Paraguay Paraguay, officially called the Republic of Paraguay, is considered a constitutional republic with an executive branch made up of a chief of state and head of government - both of which are filled by the president. Paraguays legislative branch has a bicameral National Congress consisting of the Chamber of Senators and the Chamber of Deputies. Members of both chambers are elected by popular vote. The judicial branch is comprised of the Supreme Court of Justice with judges appointed by the Council of Magistrates. Paraguay is also divided into 17 departments for local administration. Economics and Land Use in Paraguay Paraguays economy is a market one focused on the re-export of imported consumer goods. Street vendors and agriculture also play a large role and in the countrys rural areas the population often practices subsistence agriculture. Paraguays main agricultural products are cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava, fruits, vegetables, beef, pork, eggs, milk, and timber. Its largest industries are sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, metallurgic and electricity. Geography and Climate of Paraguay Paraguays topography consists of grassy plains and low wooded hills east of its main river, the Rio Paraguay, while the Chaco region west of the river consists of low marshy plains. Farther from the river the landscape is dominated by dry forests, scrub, and jungles in some locations. Eastern Paraguay, between the Rio Paraguay and the Rio Parana, features higher elevations and it is where most of the countrys population is clustered.The climate of Paraguay is considered subtropical to temperate depending upon ones location within the country. In the eastern area,  there is significant rainfall, while in the far west it is semi-arid. More Facts about Paraguay The official languages of Paraguay are Spanish and Guarani Life expectancy in Paraguay is 73 years for males and 78 years for females Paraguays population is almost entirely located in the southern part of the country There is no official data on Paraguays ethnic breakdown because the Department of Statistics, Surveys and Censuses does not ask questions about race and ethnicity in its surveysReferences Central Intelligence Agency. (27 May 2010). CIA - The World Factbook - Paraguay. Retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pa.htmlInfoplease.com. (n.d.). Paraguay: History, Geography, Government, and Culture- Infoplease.com. Retrieved from: infoplease.com/ipa/A0107879.htmlUnited States Department of State. (26 March 2010). Paraguay. Retrieved from: state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1841.htmWikipedia.com. (29 June 2010). Paraguay - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraguay