When my kids ask me for money (which really isn't that often), I always end up asking them what it will be for, why they need it, etc., and chances are I will give them the money if they make a semi-decent case. I don't just give them the money because I love them ("patriotism"), but because I know how it will be used. (Of course, on occasion, they get money just to have fun--but with an understanding that all other obligations are met). Where's the government's "parents"?
From the article I read, Biden proclaimed : “We want to take money and put it back in the pocket of middle-class people ... It’s time to be patriotic … time to jump in, time to be part of the deal, time to help get America out of the rut.”
So, Senator Biden, when in America's history has it taxed itself into prosperity?
I have a different perspective on taxes and patriotism. How about enabling those who are "rich" and have businesses to expand and create ... new tax payers. By creating a new tax payer, that's a new source of taxes besides me and everyone else who already pays. That's giving that new tax payer a job and an opportunity to pursue his/her own American Dream. And to me that is one of the most patriotic things to do--in terms of money, business, and taxes. Business in this country is not a zero-sum game, which redistributing wealth implies. Do people get rich in the United States by making other people poor?
If I collected $1 from a million people, I would be a millionaire. Now are all those people poor from losing a dollar? Of course not. Now extrapolate that thinking to exchanging goods and services, covering your business costs and making a fair profit. Wealth in the United States is created and should not be redistributed.
We live in the greatest nation the world has ever known. Yet there are those individuals who continue to look at the rest of the world and not learn the lessons from their government approaches and mistakes. And like a stubborn child, those "patriotism through higher taxes" folks must live the lessons out themselves--I just don't want to be forced to live those lessons out with them.
2 comments:
I'm not going to argue with you, but I want to respectfully comment that taxes make your and my life possible as it is. You and I were both educated by taxpayers. You went to the Air Force Academy right? So, as a tax payer, I say you're welcome for your undergraduate education. My grad school (~$25,000 a year for 6 years) was paid by the NIH and through the HHS department, so I, too, thank you, the tax-payer, for my education. Our taxes do go for many good uses - not that all of them aren't wasteful. Don't forget - To whom much is given, much is expected.
Thanks Sarah for reading and your comments. I certainly agree taxes are necessary, perhaps how we get those taxes collected we will differ. I am certainly most grateful to the public for covering my education, and per our agreement with them I served my five years active duty and (partly) on top of that four more years for my graduate education (9.5 total). I still serve in the Reserves. Obviously, my blood runs Air Force blue.
Again, thanks for reading and your feedback!
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