Skipper wrote:
Reggie Smithers wrote:


The beauty about the tax, is you and anyone else who does not want to
pay the tax, just just avoid going to the Bahamas, If enough people
"boycott" the Bahamas, then they will resend the tax.


I see very little "beauty" in *any* additional taxes. Matter of fact, I
can remember a day not too distant where boaters found great freedom in
boating. Made no dif whether the local lake or distant shore, boating
had much more "beauty" before politicians stuck their mugs into the
picture.

Before this current PC big government culture developed, *exorbitant*
tributes and "fees" extracted on foreign shores were considered a form
of extortion or piracy. Now, precisely because we remain silent and not
retaliate, we pay $20+++ per head to enter Mexico and $300 to enter
Burmuda.

I'm for tougher borders and Piggly Wiggly fees for those who gouge us.


My feeling is it will stop some of the "cruisers" who anchor in the
Bahamas for the winter, but don't really spend much money locally.
My feeling is those who are contributing to the local economy really
won't care about the $300 tax. They will consider the $300 tax a pittance
to the money they will spend in gas, fishing and entertainment they spend
in the Bahamas.


Those rationales were not used by the supporters of the fee when it was
initiated. They sold it as rich Americans paying for their "suffering."
It was sold as income redistribution and support for their
"infrustructure."


I think the $300 tax is doing exactly what the Bahamians wanted when
they set up the tax. Discourage the boaters and cruisers who were not
spending money in the Bahamas, from utilizing the services and natural
beauty of the islands.


And I think allowing this targeted abuse against boaters without
retaliation just encourages more of the same in the future.

--
Skipper
Skipper,
Have you contacted your senators and congressman? A usage fee charged
to those who use a service provided by the government is the fairest way
to pay for governmental services. Since boaters do utilize the local
infrastructure and services (ie police, coast guard, roads, water etc)
and many bring all of their own food and do not spend money at the local
restaurants, hotels, casinos etc. to me it makes sense for them to
charge boaters a "usage fee".

If you are against the concept of usage fee, it would make more sense
for you to lobby against motel/hotel, airport and rental car taxes used
in most American Cities. They are the exact some "usage fee" that the
Bahamians charge boaters. The Bahamians might say the usage fee is their
retaliation against our exorbitant taxes we impose on their citizens.
; )

--
Reggie
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