My dear readers - 3
Have you discovered BoingBoing.net?
According to author Chris Anderson, (The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More) in 2006 it was the world’s most popular blog, known for its comments about technology and subculture.
Today it is number 21
Why do I bring up BoingBoing?
First, I highly recommend it as a valuable source of knowledge and commentary with a slightly liberal slant.
Second, on a recent reading, I discovered this link: http://www.wallstats.com/deathandtaxes/
Mind you, dear readers, I am not a sales agent for this operation, but I urge you to review the site and ponder this issue of Death and Taxes, specifically, examine where your hard earned, tax dollars are going.
Think about who is calling the shots.
Think about the confusion and complexity of the budget and its appropriations
Scroll down the site and read some of the comments.
One that I particularly took note of was:
“I have your chart hanging in my office - I work for the Dept. of Defense, and I enjoy reminding my fellow civil servants of the trust and confidence placed in us by the taxpayer, as evidenced by the sheer magnitude of dollars they send us.
For me, it’s a helpful reminder of how lucky I am to work here and that I’d better accomplish something meaningful with these resources.”
Kevin Marlowe, Director, Strategic Plans and Policy USJFCOM Joint Systems Integration Command
Here’s another interesting comment:
“We have it up in the lobby of 5 Sylvan Learning Centers.
Everyone who studies it is captivated.
We point out that everything is proportional, and like to point to the Department of Education.
Our clients are amazed, and often horrified, to see how Congress sees education relative to, say, the “War of Terror”.
You know, I hear government expenditures referred to all the time on the news, and sometimes they even say “this contrasts to the Department of Defense’s budget of ….”, but NEVER in the context of the whole budget.
It’s quite the learning experience to see it all in one place!”brLee Pierce, Sylvan Learning Center
My point is twofold.
First, imagine the person hours and resources necessary to convert monies collected by the IRS into this massive, complex, complicated budget.
Second, consider how the dollars are allocated, what the priorities are.
If you are indeed a left winger, then a budget heavy on military spending will be hard for you to swallow.
If you are without health care, a budget that insurance companies at the expense of the little guy will be impossible to understand.
But imagine if you didn’t have to pay any taxes?
If your government representatives were beholden to you, their supporters, for budget decisions and financial allocations? Imagine what a world this would be.
To be continued…
By the way, as a preview to a complete overhaul of the current tax system, I invite you to download my report “Done with Cash” for free.
Tags: Banking Crisis, Corney's Model, Financial Crisis, Geithner, IRS, Stimulus Bill, Taxes
