The Prime Minister (PM) has apparently stated that she can't promise that there won't be any new taxes imposed on Jamaica for the new financial year starting in April. The statement has been described as ominous by some. I say, what's new?

Since I was a child, I have always remembered feeling nervous around March/April each year because it has always meant new taxes on an already overtaxed population. Back then, I never understood worried looks I would see on the faces of my parents because when you are a child, taxes mean very little. "What was this tax people always talk about?" I used to ask myself. In those days, watching sports and playing with my friends were all that mattered to me.

These days, I have become my parents. So as April draws closer, I start to worry about what next the government is going to tax. Just recently, Customs imposed a new duty on hair imports and honestly, I can live with that. It's no secret I am not a fan of hair extensions, but I live and let live. If a woman wants to wear them, that's their business but since it's not a necessity, tax it. The hair industry in Jamaica is said to be a seven-billion-dollar business, five percent of that is a nice take for Government because that is what Governments do. They tax. They waste the money and then tax some more.

Yesterday, someone put up on Facebook in jest that Government was planning to tax social media so texts and messages on Twitter and Facebook would attract a tax. For a minute, I was nervous because to me, that would be ridiculous, and it is ridiculous enough for Government to consider it, just like they're considering imposing general consumption tax on petroleum products. It's not a bright move because it would drive inflation and further burden people's pockets, but then, I have yet to see a bright Government of this country.

I have an idea though, about what they could tax. They could impose a weight tax on overweight people. Such a move would rake in billions. Roger Clarke and Peter Phillips would be chief contributors. People are going to say I am being insensitive and I would respond by saying, not so. It would force people to live healthier lifestyles and ultimately, our healthcare system would not be burdened by so many people suffering from high blood pressure and lifestyle-related illnesses like diabetes. If Government did that, we would have the healthiest nation on the planet because nobody would want to pay a tax on their body weight. Can you imagine the resulting decline in weight-related illnesses? It would be incredible.

And this is not me discriminating against fat people. It wasn't that long ago that I was fat. But truth be told, it would not be a bad tax to have.

Soon enough though, Government will run out of things to tax and what then? What will they tax next? Will they tax the air we breathe? Will they tax the amount of words we speak each day? If that was the, case we would be richer than the richest countries in the world because we have the gift of gab. Jamaica has more talk shows per capita than any other country in the world, and people call daily to gab about stuff every day.

The PM would escape that tax however. Because she really doesn't say much, does she?

Shearer39@gmail.com