Many, many people talk about the 'good old days'. Yikes. I think not.
This poem (below) was sent to me by a man in his later years. If you Google it, you'll find many iterations. Methinks he sees the world through rose-coloured bifocals. Gotta be that American Tea Party. Perhaps it is Hudak's Conservatives, who really don't have a viable platform.
Pre-taxes we also had poverty, low wages, no health benefits, average age of death one hundred years ago was age 40 or so.White people murdered Native Peoples; we had many who had experienced slavery, many more who were feared because their skin didn't match the ruling classes, or they'd brought with them that European class system.
Small Pox, plague, bacterial infection, non-pasteurized milk, polio, killed many. There was no such thing as antibiotics.
Only the rich were able to be educated, brothers were sent off farms unable to sustain them. Farmers paid money to keep rural roads going, had to resurface them to help the community.
Girls were 'married off'. Women didn't have the vote; many died in childbirth. Women had no choices, nor did many men. Being homosexual was not only a sin, but against the law in man places. People were persecuted for being different.Political corruption existed. Candidates bought votes with rum.
They weren't the good old days!
I'm glad my Canadian taxes help those who cannot help themselves. I'm glad for universal healthcare, women's shelters, food banks, police, firefighters and all those who ensure that our communities take care of its people!
Tax his land,Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he's fed.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for
peanuts anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.
Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid...
Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom...'
When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax. Attributed to James Jaeger, 2008
6 comments:
I received that silly poem too but didn't bother to read much past the first few lines.
Hey! I forgot all about the metal ice cube trays!! Thanks for posting a photo of it. Fun!
Really like the old pictures down the right side of your blog!
I have difficulty understanding why people are so irrational about paying taxes when they see what is done. Can they not see the harm that would come if vital programs were cut? It seems as if they do not have one clue as to what a living wage is when it comes to remuneration for mail carriers.
thanks for all these thoughts on tax, the good and the bad. You made some good points.
It'a funny how some people hate taxes and entitlements...and then have their hand out when they reach social security age, or need emergency relief, or ...
Jenn, in the states, they pay taxes for most of what you reference as well. I think the main difference here is that at some point it just is not the 'state's' responsibility to tax limitlessly and then give that money away to causes and needs that we as individuals don't always agree with. Currently in the U.S., the Congress has legislated nearly 2 FULL YEARS of unemployment benefits. It is not unreasonable to give our citizenry a leg up when they are down and out but that does not mean forever. It is especially ironic in the U.S. since they are literally broke and over $14 Trillion in debt. They are spending money they DON'T HAVE and expect our kids to foot the bill after they leave office. It is completely wrong and nobody, regardless of their income, should behave in such an irresponsible manner. Sorry to get on a soapbox but believe me in both of our countries it is not taxation that is the problem it is purely the desire by bureaucrats to spend OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY. I hope something changes soon, but if the U.S. continues on this current path, it will have dire consequences for not only us, but for all of North America as well as the world for that matter. Be proud of your volunteerism and stewardship of your local resources and support them fully, but do it on your OWN. Except for a few things like roads and self defense, governments are not as efficient or capable of doing as much good on the same amount of cash as individuals can. Provocative post - thanks for sharing! W.C.C.
Thanks for your comments!
@W.C. This is a poem that's been circling the INternet, seen it on UK, Australia sites, too.
I find that our local healthcare system does well to support us as volunteers. It gives us control, locally.
We have to make politicians accountable for spending, as they control our healthcare dollars, for example, and are accountable. The bureaucrats must follow political policy. This is how they are accountable!
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