A ghost has been haunting the Ministry of Finances for some time now. It possibly belongs to the Sultan who became known in contemporary mythology as the Taxpusher. And what a terrible end he had…
For those who don’t remember of haven’t heard the story, it is worth having a listen: back in those days, there used to be a Sultan who liked imposing new taxes. Every now and again he would come up with a new tax.
One year in February he in imposed a tax on fire wood, a 10% tax on the income.
The next day the Sultan sent his informant at the market, to find out what the people thought.
The informant returned elated.
-You are grand, my master, but the people are restless… They call you the tax pusher.
The Sultan shook his head and left the throne room with a smile.
A few days later and the Sultan introduced another tax. As before, the informant reported back the news from the market, putting a smile on the Sultan’s face.
The next time the time the informant returned he was happy.
My Grand Sultan, congratulations. You are a great leader!
Why do you say so, asked the Sultan
Everyone at the market is laughing! You serve them well, everyone is laughing and nobody is cursing you anymore!
You idiot! The new tax is being repealed! My throne is in jeopardy!
That is where the myth ends and our familiar story continues.
It is not just the clearly stupid laws that get repealed. The tax pushers are also persecuted!
Stavros P. Psycharis
– Originally published in the Sunday print edition
