Since the day I picked up my first part-time job, I have paid taxes. Come February of each year, I look forward to sending my tax forms out and waiting for my envelopes to appear from my state and from the federal government. (Yes, I’m old fashioned when it comes to taxes.) As I have moved up in the world from part-time employment, to the Navy, and now doing what I do, I have said good-bye to more of my money. On average, Americans spend three months out of the year working for wages that we’ll never see as that money goes straight to our local and federal governments.
I do find it a little sickening to know that I wake up in the wee hours of the morning, to perform tasks that last eight hours a day, for three months, for money that goes straight to programs and services that are good, as well as away for things that are quite wasteful… like some government worker’s fancy new chair or a nicer computer monitor for a congressman.
As my mama says, “There are two things you can count on this world: death and taxes.” Apparently, Tom Daschle and a couple other folks didn’t learn that adage from their mamas. Seriously, if someone like me, who is a member of the middle-class can pay her taxes, surely these other folks, who make waaaay more money than I do, can cough up some money as well!
To be fair, Tom Daschle is not the first big name to owe quite a bit to the IRS. Remember Wesley Snipes? He was given three years for tax evasion. That creepy nudist dude, who won the first Survivor show, Richard Hatch, was found guilty for tax evasion as well.
I also don’t think critics of President Obama should crap on him the tax issues that three of his nominees have had so far. After all, were you asked if you were behind on your taxes at your last job interview? At the same time, I do think that those who owe taxes should be dropped from consideration. I was a little upset that Tim Geithner did get confirmed as our Treasury Secretary with all of the back taxes he owed. He did pay them. Then again, had he not been nominated to a cabinet position, would he have still paid?
Again, I am not over-the-moon about paying my taxes. In fact, I would be a lot more comfortable if I could keep all the money that I shell out for taxes. However, since the Revenue Act of 1861, Americans have been paying federal taxes. If we didn’t pay our taxes, it would be sort of like going to the bathroom and not wiping afterwards… it just doesn’t feel right.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | back taxes, Revenue Act of 1861, taxes, Tom Daschle
Nice analogy, D! This is like a teacher sluffing school, or a cop robbing a bank- these public servants should be setting an example, and I respect Obama for taking responsibility. The last one wouldn’t have even talked about it.
I am really pissed about the republicans attitudes holding everything up; we tried it their way for 8 years and they totally screwed everything up! I guess they only truly are for bipartisanship when they are running for office. Disappointing. My children were better behaved as toddlers than this bunch.
As I was watching a newscast the other day of these men sitting around the table with Obama, I couldn’t help but notice how sour and pinched their faces looked…what a bunch of old farts with worn out ideas and too much power…where’s the joy?…it’s escaping them……….too damn bad, huh?
Okay, I was digressing….I got off on the repub thing along with Mari.
I think taxes are an important part of our life here….we all need to do it…everyone. If we are to have the services that we get, we have to pay. If we didn’t have a tax system, people would definitely notice! I have a hard time with those who don’t feel they should give their fair share… through the advantage of loopholes, and other shakey practices. I feel if you make more, you pay more, period…no slithering out of it allowed! How do you all feel about “flat” rates for everyone? I wonder if it would work?
I’m sorry, I didn’t tie the two parts together at all.
Anyway, what I meant is how republicans are going on and on about the unpaid taxes…those taxes are being paid now, so move on, GOP! These people dropped out of consideration for these posts! We have major problems that need to be solved. Quit wasting everyone’s time. We don’t need another “Brownie” payback appointment, like Bush picked or was fed, but a bright, energetic person who will work like hell to save this country.