I'm not happy with that. I said I'd like to pay more taxes, introduce more labour protection, and provide better work spaces. But talking to many Hong Kongers, this is not going to happen. Talk to anyone employee about raising taxes or employer about expanding labour rights and you get a mute discussion. So basically what people want is for the government to spend their fiscal reserves. Even though they may be big, the money can be quickly squandered. For example, they spent $20 billion on recreational facilities and $30 billion on the elderly, but people complain it's not enough, it's boring. Taking that into account, what sum would be enough? $100 billion? $200 billion? Looking at those numbers one will realize that those reserves could be drained quite quickly.
Another way for the government to make money is to take taxes from foreigners or charge them for serviced either by allowing shady financial services or by luring them into the property market. As you all know, this has other negative consequences. Unfortunately though, that's the price you pay for low taxes. That's why there is a train being built in Kowloon. Paid for by rich foreigners buying flats who want to come live in the city and have access to the mainland. Anyone who thinks that we pay for this train has themselves fooled.
Hence, the discussion of low services cannot take place without also acknowledging taxation. Otherwise it will always just end up in cynicism.
So we don't raise tax and we don't increase spending ok.... btw who said u need to increase spending???? What is needed it better use of the money... as I said before part of the economy doesn't need the gvt (yet it intervene... again food truck) while some need the gvt (yet he isn't because it benefits... tycoons).
if you honestly believe that CY and co in the last 5 years have worked days in days out only thinking about the best for HK and its citizens...am not sure what to say.
Given his simple lifestyle (sleeping, sports and video games are his favorite pastimes), he reckons the dividend income from his HSBC shares will be enough to sustain him for the rest of his life.
Fair enough if you want another 50 years of doing that. As an Irishman I remember a few guys taking a similar approach to Irish bank shares in 2007...
I know this post is an old one, but just browsing through some of the sections on this site and came across this one. I wonder what is he doing now?