THURSDAY, AUGUST 5TH, 2021 MONEY WEEK

 THURSDAY, AUGUST 5TH, 2021  MONEY WEEK

MORE ON MONEY!!!

I’ve been writing about money - greed, needs, and wants this week.  Today a look at taxes.

Yes, taxes!!  I’ve said before that Bill Jankow (former South Dakota Governor) said that the best taxes are taxes he didn’t have to pay.  For me, that might be cigarette taxes or liquor taxes. 

Let’s look at Federal and (indirectly) State Income Taxes first.  The concept is that the more you make, the more you can pay to the government.  There are, of course, people on every side of this issue.  If you tax the rich, they will find loopholes, and find ways to evade the taxes.  Some people move out of the country to avoid taxes - “ex-pat” (or ex-patriates) are those who move.  A friend was talking to me the other day about people she knows that moved to Morocco to avoid American Taxes.  I have another friend who moved to Mexico for lower taxes.  I see the concept, but don’t think I will take that direction.

Government grows - it seems to grow exponentially.  Maybe at the time of the Constitution government was limited - but also services were also limited.  

I can’t possibly list all the government functions - from defense, health and human services, parks (including national parks), commerce, international affairs (department of state), and much, much more.  Yes, there are jokes about $1,000 toilet seats and hammers in various government budgets.  I’m sitting in my apartment - safe because there are police and fire departments in my community.  I am educated as I learned to read and write (and more) in schools (that paid teachers and built buildings with taxes).  I can hear sounds of traffic from Interstate 35 about two blocks away.  If I look up, I possibly could see airplanes overhead - controlled by air traffic controllers, and various regulations so a safe fight is guaranteed. This weekend one of my musical groups is having a picnic at a city park (paid for and maintained by taxes).  When I flush my toilet, through pipes under my building and underground, it goes to a sewage treatment facility. When I turn on my tap, I get fresh water piped into my apartment from a water treatment plant (except for Flint Michigan - but seemingly that has been solved).

Over the years, some have objected to certain taxes.  Pacifists have objected to the huge amount that goes into defense and warfare - and some have tried to pay their income taxes minus the amount that goes into warfare and weapons. 

And, yes, there are boondoggle projects and government waste.  Yes, there are problems.

But, as Ben Franklin suggests the only two sure things in life are death and taxes.

Romans 13:6-7 says “ This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”

And Matthew 22:21 “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Or .. give to the government what is due).  

Are taxes fair?  (That is a loaded question).  Fairness depends on a standard - and is almost always is an individualized evaluation.  I’m retired - are my taxes too high?  Do I need more government aid (aka “Social Security” and “Medicare”?).  Does the young couple starting out in their twenties need more tax breaks?  Does the single mother need more tax breaks?  

For me, I realize that taxes are necessary - and keep society moving forward.  

*****

 And, unfortunately, I don’t fish.  From Matthew 17 we have this story when Jesus was asked if he paid the temple tax. : “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

*****

And, back to Tuesday - wants and needs.  Philippines 4:19 says “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

And, from the Beatles - Taxman song:

“Should five percent appear too small

Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman

I'll tax the street
If you try to sit, sit) I'll tax your seat
(If you get too cold, cold) I'll tax the heat
(If you take a walk, walk) I'll tax your feet

*****

Greed, wants and needs, taxes, money.  Part of life.

But, LOVE WINS!!

Hugs!!!

Karen