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"To the people, for the people and by the people." What is it about those words that mean so much? What is it that makes us think purely American thoughts? Hopefully it's because of the American dream, or the idea that anyone can work in a competitive environment and excel if they work hard enough. Hopefully, it's also because America was founded on principles of freedom and now more than two hundred years later, we still wish to be free. Those famous words, spoken by a man of singular mission to a people without a mission, are quickly becoming flippant at best and disdained at worst.
The current American tax structure is a complicated concept to grasp. Often, we shrug and push this aside with the sentiment of, "Well, duh, they're taxes; they're supposed to be complicated." Are they? Is the way our government receives our money *supposed* to befuddle us? It shouldn't be. We should know *exactly* how our hard-earned dollars are being taken and more importantly, why. Instead, agencies like the IRS take pride in publishing lengthy documents that any normal individual would do well to take with a glass of water and two aspirin. This, my fellow Americans, is not the way it should be. By complicating our nation's tax structure, the IRS, by the support of the executive branch and liberal law-makers, has created a disincentive for American's wanting to know where their money is going, and without the inquisitive eyes of the American public, they are doing just as they please. Just take a quick peek at your tax return this year and you'll see exactly what I mean.
Perhaps Americans like giving lots and lots of money to politicians who take lots and lots of time to do so very, very little, but I would hazard to suppose that this is not the case. In the buy-now-pay-later society that we live, money comes in very handy. The current tax structure does not. Many concerned Americans have realized this and have suggested such things as the "Fair Tax" or the "Flat tax." These ideas could prove helpful, but only if lots and lots of Americans put their votes and voices behind their words.
The point of this piece is not necessarily to incite rallies and protests (as helpful as they may be), but more to draw your attention as an American tax-payer to the problems plaguing our tax system. Is it right to demand so much money in a sinking economy? If not, what are some potential solutions to the problems? If it is good and proper to require so much, tell us the “why”. By simply asking these questions and following up on the answers, one will find himself not only better educated, but also more in control of his money, and thus a better citizen.
"To the people, for the people and by the people." Do your best today and every day to make sure these words don't just become cliché bumper-sticker material that elicits a laugh and nothing more. Do your best to make sure these words aren't only mentioned in ceremonies or on trips to the Capitol. Do your best to keep these words alive, and finally do your best to make sure the only money you part with is the money you have to part with.
Tim Moss |
