THE ISOLATION CAMP If you are on the straight and narrow (and walking the talk by practising what you preach!), we wish you a happy New Year! And as you reflect on the years past, and feel like you’re living in an isolation camp, our sympathies are with you.

Let us explain…

In this precious island, there’s been the good, the bad and the ugly for most of its so-called ‘independent years’ (as many as 76, come 4 February). And in this land like no other, we’re seeing more and more of the ugly, so much so that foul play has become the name of the game.

For example, if you’re paying your taxes diligently, you must wonder not only where your ‘tax rupees’ are ending up but also why the money laundering men and women go scot free while you fork out your hard earned money, only to be harassed by the sleuths at the department we call the ‘inland revenue.’

Yes, we’re now duty bound to have a ‘tax file number’ (a.k.a. TIN) and can only open a bank account with a TIN but the robber barons have their dirty money stashed away in offshore accounts so it is unlikely that they will need to open any new accounts here at home!

If you pay a fine and end up having to spend a day in court to clear your name, you must wonder why the big fish are rarely if ever hauled into the den – because they take the easy way out by bribing an officer of the law. It’s that simple!

And if you don’t aid and abet our crooked politicians and their accomplices, and happen to be running a small business that remains small, you’d be forgiven for thinking that expansion is only for those who play ball with the island’s political elite and their helpers, who help themselves to commissions and cuts on tenders, contracts and business of the state.

It is why we say they’re ‘filthy rich.’

On the other hand, if you have peace of mind – even if your bank balance is in the red – the New Year will certainly be peaceful… even if the mayhem we’ve gotten used to continues into an election year.

So if you plan to remain on the straight and narrow path in 2024, do so in the belief that it is a small price to pay –for peace of mind.

– Editor-in-Chief