The nation will have to wait for the first working day in the New Year to gauge the current standoff between Keith Mitchell's New National Party (NNP) government and the Grenada Trades Union Council (GTUC) on the controversial 5% Reconstruction Levy or Income Tax.

The decision taken by the men and woman making up the Cabinet of Ministers for Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique will determine whether the island will start 2006 in peace or turmoil.

It is our understanding that the trade union leaders will make their next move in their struggle against the tax based on the signals that come out from the Cabinet session.

There is no doubting that the trade union body is determined to make a firm and resolute stand against government on the tax.

There are some union leaders who feel that the body is wasting time in continue to dialogue with Finance Minister Anthony Boatswain on the issue and should adopt a much tougher line.

GRENADA TODAY would like to see more sober minds at work in order to avoid the ultimate action by the TUC that can have serious implications and repercussions for us as a people.

It takes two hands to clap and both the government and union leaders with the help of the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCIC) and the "Social Partners" including the Churches should do everything possible to get both sides to hammer out a lasting agreement.

The country is bigger than both Prime Minister Mitchell and any of our trade union leaders and the good of the country should be put high and above personal interest.

While many in our midst will be looking at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting for a decision on the threat of Mass Protests, GRENADA TODAY has another keen interest in the session, which will be the first for the New Year by government.

It is our view that the Prime Minister should use the opportunity and occasion to start steering the ship on a new and different course.

It is an opportune time for the Grenadian leader to announce to the nation a cut in the salaries for government ministers in keeping with the much banded about theme of "Time for Sacrifice".

The government will not only save thousands of dollars through this measure but will also be sending a strong and clear signal to the international community whose aid and financial assistance that it is trying so desperate to attract.

The country's finances is already in dire straits and leaders are expected to set the tone for the rest of the country to follow.

This newspaper would also like to see the Prime Minister going even further and put an end to the luxury of jobs for the boys through the hiring of Personal Assistants for each and every government minister.

There is nothing wrong in all our government leaders with the exception of the Prime Minister start driving their own vehicles from their homes to their respective work places.

It might even be prudent on some of them to engage in this kind of activity in order to help government tighten its belts and save on free gasoline given to Ministers and other government officials.

The drive towards greater sacrifice from the people must be led from in front by the Prime Minister and his Cabinet of Ministers.

There are too many people in the post-November 2003 general elections getting salaries for doing little or nothing in this country.

The taxpayers can no longer continue to upkeep the lives of people like Augustine John (former Minister of Education), Laurina Waldron (ex-minister of Social Services) and the others who are seen as getting a pay cheque because of their association with the NNP as the ruling party.

GRENADA TODAY is also offering another suggestion for the Governor-General Sir Daniel Williams to depart from tradition and contribute something back from his salary to the rebuilding process.

The Governor-General has been exempted from the 5% tax that was passed in Parliament by government.

This is a call for Sir Daniel to donate the exemption to a worthy cause in the country that is related to the destruction caused by Hurricanes Ivan and Emily.

The time will come when the country might again be in a better position financially to review the policy and restore the Head of State to the conditions, which existed in Grenada prior to the widespread destruction caused, by Ivan and Emily.

GRENADA TODAY would like to remind our leaders to draw lessons from their own words that things have changed in Grenada and we are not living in normal times.

Despite of our troubles, trials and tribulations, we want to wish everyone a most productive and rewarding 2006.