Indiana

The Taxman Cometh

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

We all know today is April 15, which means it’s tax day.  Of course this is also the day we gripe, moan and complain about how much the government spends and takes from us.  And while I give people a few minutes to complain, I ask them to think for a second and ask themselves that if they don’t like the taxes and spending then name something you’re willing to give up.

What we consider the “federal budget” is really only a small portion.  Eliminating the Departments of Housing, Education, Agriculture are really only a fraction of what Washington spends.   The real money is spent on defense, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, Homeland Security and interest on the debt.  So I ask again, what are you willing to give up and go without?

Are you willing to pay more out of pocket for your kid’s education because financial aid is gone?  Are you willing to have your older parent move back in with you because Medicare is gone and they can’t afford to live in a nursing home?  Are you willing to have American troops go without because of cuts to defense?  I ask these questions because we as a nation are going to have to make some tough choices about how much we spend and what we spend it on.

I also think we need to have a long discussion on how we collect money.  The current system is a disaster.  My personal preference would be a consumption tax on all goods and services and eliminate the income tax.  That way the tax is paid when you make the purchase and we don’t have to worry about witholdings, deductions and loopholes.   And by taxing all transactions, you have a lower tax rate than if you just do certain goods or services.

Nobody likes taxes, but stuff needs to be paid for.  How much we pay and what we pay for are the grown up questions that need to be addressed.  As my lovely mother would say, “everyone wants to go heaven, but nobody wants to die.”

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on April 15, 2010 (boomark / email).