The Audacity of Being Broke and the Patriotism of Taxes
Where should I begin? Taxes??? What the phrase, " I have no money." really means??? I really don't know where to start. Let's see on what journey my mind decides to take me first.
My friends and I have conversations about things. Thoughts usually don't come into mind about the subject until I'm completely alone in the shower (literally). I'm a wife and mom, so, things tend to come days or weeks later.
Let's take one subject a friend and I discussed...not having money. They're fortunate to have parents who pay for their education. I'm very happy for them, because my husband and I want to do the same thing for our girls. They don't get a completely free ride. They work and go to school. The parents a bit higher up on the financial scale than some of us, so they have a few other perks that I won't mention. So, imagine how upset I was when the conversation turned to them not having money after a certain decision that was taken. Look, I'm all for hard work and perserverance and am very happy that they are able to provide for their family the way they do. Don't complain about not having money to spend. Especially, when the decision was based on the fact that there was extra to have unmentioned thing done. Would you like to know what it's like not to have extra and worry about it?
When you were able to afford health and dental for your family at $10/hr, but not be able to afford it 10 years later even though your income has gone up quite a bit...THAT'S not having money. You, your spouse or your children getting sick or injured or your children not being able to get their shots because your husband can't afford said insurance, but earns too much for medicare or Peachcare (another great subject)...THAT'S a reason to worry. Watching your 9 and 4 year-old cry because it was either the gaming system had to go or having something to eat and putting gas in the car to go to work...THAT'S not having money. We are better off than most of the people losing their jobs and going through home forclosures, but knowing that if something happens to the bread winner in my family we are completely screwed...THAT'S not having money AND a reason to worry. Like many people in the middle class we live paycheck to paycheck, we play the catch up game with the bills and are able to save nothing. So, for a couple who doesn't have these types of issues, was able to do something extravagant, and then say they don't have the money for whatever the reason; I feel no sympathy or empathy for you. I would break out my pretend violin and play it for you...maybe shed a tear, but I can't. There are people in worse situations than you than you are. Be thankful for what you have and enjoy it. I know I do. Cause when you least expect it, it may be gone.
Alrighty, now that that's off my chest...taxes. Yes, the fun and wonderful subject about taxes...woohoo. I don't like to pay taxes. I don't believe anyone does. Why are we complaining about paying taxes? I believe those that earn a bit more, should pay a bit more. Live free, taxed to death...isn't that the saying? This FairTax thing...it doesn't make sense to me. I mean, yes I would love to have a bit more money in my paycheck (if I had one). Everyone needs a bit more money these days. There's the sales tax, the state tax, federal tax, property tax, estate tax ( isn't that the same as "property"?), death tax (this one boggles my mind; must look up later), coorperate tax, small businesses get taxed, etc. Some of these taxes we do need. Let's take the property taxes for example. This tax gives us school funding. Unless you've been living under a rock lately, you noticed there's been many home forclosures. This means the county is not making money off property taxes. Which leads to schools not getting as much money as they used to during the housing boom. This lack of funding then translates to less staff at the schools, some extracurricular activities being cut and, more than likely, not so wonderful education for our children. Some taxes go to the infastructure (roads, bridges, sidewalks and such). I mean, try driving in Oklahoma...it is not the smoothest ride. Then there was that time the bridge over Allatoona Lake needed fixing because something pulled apart ( I don't remember the details, but it was on the local news). Imagine if we didn't paid taxes. Our brave men and women in uniform would have never gotten to the World Trade Center site, we would have very little police enforcement, no firefighters rescuing cats from trees or people from fiery buildings, and our U.S. Military would never get paid (contract workers get paid better than our military our there). What?!?! You thought those sign up bonuses were coming out of somebody else's pocket.
Thank you!!! Thank you for your tax dollars, mind you I paid taxes as well. I've had to be on medicare, WIC, and food stamps. The first time was when I was 19. I was pregnant with #1 and married. My husband didn't earn enough for insurance, but being married, could stay on my parents insurance. I signed up for medicare and WIC (Women, Infants, & Children). I was able to have my prenatal check ups and have a healthy daughter. She was on formula and it helped alot with that. Babies are expensive. The second time was with #2, just medicaid, when I was 24. We were doing alright, but couldn't afford health insurance. Prenatal check ups, check. Another healthy, beautiful baby girl. The final time was when my husband and I were separated. I was 27. This time the girls were on my insurance. I was working for the schools and the benefits weren't bad. It was considered government, so they usually get a good deal. People were telling me, do all of it (FS, WIC, & Medicaid), but I wanted to say I provided something for my girls. A bit of a pride issue for me...maybe, but the health and dental was taken care of by me. I was on food stamps and WIC though. The food stamps was about $150 to my $900/month, along with the basics I was getting with WIC (milk, eggs, & cheese)...it helped immensely. So, not everyone who's on some of these federal programs are having 20 kids or cheating the system and milking it for all it's worth. Not everyone is dependent upon it or coming from another country to take advantage of it. It's for those like me who need a helping hand during times of need. Those who understand that it's just something temporary until things get better.
Paying taxes isn't a bad thing. It's very patriotic. Whether paying a teacher's salary or anonymously helping an honest fellow citizen, there's good things about it as well. Had I not told my story, you might have thought that it was a certain stereotype. I don't seem like the type person to need help from the government, but now you know. It's always the person you least expect...