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Taxes: politicians' leash on the Middle Class
(August 3, 2009) -- Some time back in the 18th Century, Benjamin Franklin said, "The only things certain in life are death and taxes." He should know. He was right in the middle of the Revolutionary War that, supposedly, came about because of King George's taxation methods. Remember the Boston Tea Party?
No one wants to die before his/her time; nor do we want to be taxed to death.
Fast forward to the 21st Century. We Americans are in the middle of a tax-and-spend philosophy being thrust upon us by the current Administration, which, of course, is led by President Obama, a Democrat. Up front, he shouldn't be likened to King George -- except in a taxing way.
In all my years of newspapering and keeping up with the political scene via television and the print media, the Democrats always have been mainly liberal big-spenders of the taxpayers' money. And, each time, the brunt of the taxes -- whether an income tax, a surcharge tax or a hidden federal tax (i.e. gasoline) -- has fallen upon the weary shoulders of the Middle Class.
I'm a Middler (no relation to Bette, though). Have been my entire lifespan. I always have worked hard, tried to save a few dollars for a rainy day, gave my family most of my paycheck (and my wife's) -- all to survive day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month and year-to-year in an otherwise bountiful democracy. I always voted for the candidate (Democrat or Republican -- and once Independent) whom I thought would represent me and my ilk in Congress. It's strange how, once elected, a candidate who professes no more taxes ends up voting for a humongous tax package.
Personally, to paraphrase an ol' Southern axiom about keeping women barefoot and pregnant, I think the Democrats want to keep the Middlers on their leash by adding more and more taxes as their burden to keep the rich folks rich and the poor folks poor (and depending on Middlers to help them through social services).
At some point in the taxing process, the Middlers are going to shout, a la Peter Finch in the classic movie "Network," "I'm not going to take it any more!"
I don't think any of us realize just how much we are taxed these days. Federal, state and local taxes consume us. We are taxed for property, food, luxury items, tobacco, alcohol, gasoline, and hotel or B&B accommodations, etal. I like to think that every time a tax-minded politician farts, it costs us Middlers at least a hundred dollars more on our tax bill.
I also would like for those taxing pols to know that if you tax me once, it's okay (because I feel duty-bound to pay my way to be a proud American); if you tax me twice, I'll piss and moan about it but will send you my tax dollars, though reluctantly; however, if you tax me thrice, I am an angry taxpayer who will go to the polls just to vote against any candidate who favors upping taxes on Middlers. Remember, the rich folks have high-priced accountants and lawyers who keep their taxes at a minimum; and the poor folks don't make enough to pay any taxes. Therefore, the Middlers get the ax.
Somehow, it gives new meaning to the palindrome, sex at noon taxes. Either way you're going to be taxed!
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