The Kenya Tax Protests

 

Ongoing protests are spreading through Kenya against changes in taxation. The finance bill has been a major source of contention among the public. President William Ruto stated that he will not sign the bill into law.  The demonstrations are more than just an unfair tax system. The cost of living has caused much strain on the public. National debt to other counties leaves Kenya at the mercy of foreign  creditors. When food, fuel, and other commodities become too expensive this causes a reaction. Kenya still is using the recommendations of the IMF. The finance bill was created as a means of making Kenya less dependent on borrowing. What this appears to be is taking the money of Kenyans and transferring it to other nations. The youth are getting more disgruntled with current economic conditions. President William Ruto's election triumph was with the help of the youth vote. Kenya faces a debt crisis and the interference of the International Monetary Fund. Unemployment and an distorted tax code demonstrate economic inequality. Kenya's total debt is estimated at $80 billion. The policy must be one that does not harm the Kenyan population. Kenya should consider negotiating debt cancellation. This would not be possible for the World Bank or IMF. Trying to get debt cancelled would be easier with certain nations. Doing so would help end the debt crisis faster. Some demonstrators want President William Ruto to resign. Kenya faces major challenges and the current policies generate more poverty. 

The Hunter Biden Indictments

 

Hunter Biden has been indicted for multiple counts of tax evasion. This comes as an election year nears closer. The criminal charges that the president's son faces could be used against President Joseph Biden during the presidential campaign. Hunter Biden has been accused of failing to pay taxes and file. Other charges include false tax return and possible evasion of tax assessment. The trials are happening while Republicans are making an attempt to impeach President Biden. According to prosecutors Hunter Biden amassed a total of $7,000,00. The bigger question is if this accumulation of income has links to Burisma or the Chinese private equity fund in which he was employed. Some have made the accusation that President Biden was a part of a conspiracy in relations to his son and business in Ukraine. So far, there is little evidence that the president has connections to Hunter's criminal charges. If the president did have a connection to the business dealings related to Burisma it would harm his chances of reelection. Although the trials are on going, the fact Hunter Biden's legal team requested a plea deal is suspicious. Hunter Biden would most likely not see prison time. Depending on the court dates, if Joseph Biden is still president Hunter could get a pardon. The indictments were made in the states of California and Delaware meaning court dates will differ. Hunter Biden could face up to 17 years in prison if found guilty of the recent charges.  

The Resignation of Silvio Berlusconi (2011)

 

Silvio Berlusconi's leadership will be remembered for scandals and the criminal intrigues that surrounded the Italian government. His influence was vast due to his immense wealth and ownership of Italian media outlets. Berlusconi was one of the longest serving Italian prime ministers, but with the global financial crisis public opinion turned against him. The fiscal austerity measures imposed on the Italian public represented the injustice of the neoliberal economic system. Scandals involving fraud, sex crimes, and government corruption could no longer be ignored. What was apparent was that Silvio Berlusconi was using government to protect his businesses and enrich himself further. His net worth was estimated to be $6.8 billion. Some sources claim it was closer to $7 billion at the time of his death. Berlusconi amassed wealth as a property developer and media company founder. The establishment of Fininvest and Telemilano gave him more power over the media by buying up other TV cable companies. By 2012, Silvo Berlusconi was charged with tax evasion by a Milan court. Accusations of sex crimes  also were made public, but the charges were dropped. Silvio Berlusconi was never incarcerated for his crimes. It was a reminder that the upper class elite are protected by a corrupted criminal justice system. With all the offenses made public Berlusconi was forced to resign.