Hoping for a better government

Are your taxes working for you?

It is a sad reality that here in the Philippines when people talk about taxes, you can never get anything positive throughout the conversation. More often than not, that conversation will lead to corruption in the government. Depressing as it may seem, but it’s the truth.

Coming from the workforce, every time I receive my pay check, it never fails to upset me how huge my tax deductions are. Why? Because I cannot see anything that benefits me! I always compare my taxes to shopping. Isn’t it that you are always willing to pay a good price for high quality merchandise? It’s like taxes; people would not mind paying large amounts if you know that you can benefit from it.

Like in the US, a relative of ours who suffered stroke did not have to worry about his hospitalization because they had healthcare benefits. You can actually see that your money goes to something useful. Social Security is a big thing in the US. When you work, you pay taxes that go to Social Security. These taxes benefits retired people, dependents of beneficiaries and you can even apply for social security disability. Although we have our own Social Security but it still has a long way to go before people can maximize the benefits it can bring.

I hope the incoming President will initiate programs for the improvement of these services. I believe in his integrity and I just pray that he can start eliminating corruption in our government.