Yay, it’s tax time again. And to add to that, Obama finally got healthcare reform passed. Granted, it’s nowhere near what it needs to be (I would have loved Single Payer + Public Option), but it’s a helluvalot better than the status quo.
Naturally, with healthcare reform, people are concerned about paying more taxes. And to all those people who bitch about paying taxes, can I just say something? Grow the hell up.
Nobody likes paying taxes, but it’s always gonna be there. And you know what? If you’re part of an extremely high tax bracket, then consider yourself blessed that you earned so freakin’ much to warrant that. Seriously–you live in the greatest country in the world–don’t you think you should pay a little bit extra to have potable water, electricity, (reasonably) safe streets, and a whole lotta other stuff?
As an actor, I’ve had good years and I’ve had bad years (2009 fell in the latter category). During those good years, I was shocked at having to write a ginormous check to the government, but you know what? IT WAS STILL A BLESSING! How crazy was it that I, living the life of (as my friend so kindly put it) “a full-time dreamer” could not only earn a living acting, but earn a great living. And for doing that, yes, I deserve to pay an assload of dollars in taxes. I didn’t do it happily, but I didn’t feel ripped off by it–taxes were my penalty for living well. Hell, it almost helped assuage the “survivors’ guilt” that I feel sometimes when I think of how blessed my life is.
And if my tax dollars go to help people who are less fortunate than me to get food, shelter, and medical care, then I’m all for it. Admittedly, I feel significantly less charitable about the idea of my money being used to reward irresponsible financial executives and to kill people in countries that didn’t knock over our buildings, but the point is: our tax dollars are (theoretically) used to make our country great and take care of the less fortunate, and we’re taxed according to our ability to pay, so let’s pay our taxes and STFU.
Posted by Kelly Lee on March 24, 2010 at 1:05 am
I think you should stick to acting because acting like an intellectual is not working for you.
Posted by Sarah Viollet on April 6, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Hear, hear, brotha man! People have no problem with the government using their taxes for limos, wars, road repairs, social services and paying interest to China (to whom we owe lots and lots), but when you mention, “Hey, wouldn’t it be great if we let people have the right to, yanno, LIVE, without putting a lien on their house?”, people have an absolute shit fit. Immature is a good word for it.