Leanid Zaika: I Observed Triumph Of This State’s Idiocy For Whole Month

Why Belarusians do not see the point in tax payment.

Leanid Zaika, head of the ‘Strategy’ Analytical Center, considers it reasonable that people in every possible way want to avoid paying taxes. The economist commented on the survey, according to which three quarters of Russians do not see the point in taxes, Solidarity writes.

“The situation in Belarus is the same,” Leanid Zaika said during an interview. “And this is right. The society began to develop communications, the Internet. Thanks to the Internet, I buy phones, televisions, I no longer need these stores. Now the relationship between me and any other entity that provides me services has changed.

In this regard, the economist gave a personal example:

- I had to change the counters. Three groups came from Vodokanal and the local communal and utility services - and did nothing. For a whole month I have observed the triumph of this state’s idiocy. As a result, I called my favourite plumber - and he did everything in 20 minutes. And it’s the same everywhere. It’s easier to call conditional Mikhail Piatrovich, who will do it much cheaper.

According to the economist, today people's connections are changing, and consumption is being rebuilt as a follow-up. The development of horizontal ties between people becomes much more profitable in the framework of a joint exchange of services and goods, than some centralized scheme, built by the state.

“And then some guys jump and say: we are the government, we collect taxes,” says Leanid Zaika.

According to the economist, today's tax policy for Belarusians makes no sense.

- For what? - the expert asks, - Roads? Guys, we’ll build them ourselves, without you. Hospitals? It’s better not to go there - evil men and women are sitting there. Education system? As one acquaintance told me: you don’t have to attend a PTA meeting, just call and find out how much money you need to give. Army? I don’t need an army, I don’t need these boots that will trample our streets. Why are taxes still needed?

In this regard, the economist considers the work of the “chamber” absolutely pointless:

- I would suggest reducing the government by 1% every year. True, in 10 years there will be 15% more. As Anastas Mikoyan said, dismissing the nomenclature is the same as scaring crows: they just fly from one tree to another.

You know, in Belarus there is an automobile plant. There, German automatic machines cut bolts and nuts from metal rods. If the rod is bad, it pops out of the machine. It would be good if the government worked so that the unsuitable would pop out. Imagine: Monday, the Government House, a monument to Lenin in the square, the music “We are born to make a fairy tale come true” is playing, and officials are standing on the windowsills and jumping onto the mats lying under the windows. Booms - and that’s it. Hurrah! Finally, the man is saved. And we are with him.