Enero 22, 2005
Check Your Numbers
Don Ruben Costas said:
"Hoy somos más del 25 por ciento de la población boliviana, generamos casi la mitad de los impuestos nacionales y llevamos sobre nuestras espaldas gran parte de la economía".
From La Razon:
Datos del Servicio de Impuestos Nacionales (SIN) señalan que Santa Cruz aportó en la gestión pasada con el 38 por ciento del total de las recaudaciones.
Según la información, Santa Cruz aportó al fisco la suma de 1.892,1 millones de bolivianos (38 por ciento), mientras que en ese mismo período La Paz contribuyó con 2.307,0 millones de bolivianos (45 por ciento).
Comparison of PIB (Producto Interno Bruto):
Santa Cruz: 28.8%
La Paz: 25.7%
Posted by eduardo at Enero 22, 2005 01:58 PM
Comments
Costas was clearly engaged in hyperbole (at least). But the figures are still high, compared to other departments. The loss of Santa Cruz' economic contribution will seriously hurt the remaining departments, and put much greater strain on La Paz.
Posted by: Miguel Centellas at Enero 22, 2005 03:22 PM
I think far too many people would take those figures as fact, which would add fuel to the fire. I don't think anyone doubts SCZ's part in the national economy.
Posted by: eduardo at Enero 22, 2005 07:17 PM
Yeah, good point. Too many Bolivians aren't prone to check figures for accuracy. Hey, even the press has no concept of context or fact-checking, most of the time. Even I have to wade through long sections of press coverage (months, often) to find people, organizations, etc. referenced in some context. Such simple things as giving a name, party ID, region for deputies would be a godsend.
Posted by: Miguel Centellas at Enero 22, 2005 10:22 PM
Yeah, I am spoiled that one can look at senate.gov or house.gov and find out everything about each Congressman/woman. I want a place that records every vote on every law. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough?
Posted by: eduardo at Enero 23, 2005 11:52 PM