OUR legislators have merrily given out senior cards and persons with disabilities (PWD) cards. How do they work?
For the seniors, they are entitled to 20-percent discounts in restaurants and coffee shops on the presumption that they are retired, have paid their share of taxes in the past and are now entitled for some credit for their past contributions. They are also given priority when queuing for government and private services or public events. While there are no fake seniors, the law that creates the senior discounts is still a poor law because it transfers wealth from the young who need it more to seniors, many of whom do not really need it. It would be better if a government subsidy is given directly to indigent seniors rather than through sales discounts or tax exemptions which are in effect being paid for by taxpayers. This will be explained why.
