Jewish World Review April 23, 2003 / 21 Nisan, 5763
David Grimes
Too much money? Tax me more!
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com |
In what may be the most novel approach to tax reform yet,
a Pennsylvania state legislator has proposed a "Tax Me
More" fund that relies on donations from taxpayers.
Similar proposals have been made in Kansas, Alaska and Oregon by legislators opposed
to raising taxes in a weak economy. Arkansas has had a "Tax Me More" fund since 2001.
So far it's only taken in between $2,000 and $3,000, so there's a ways to go before the
fund puts much of a dent in the state's $142 million deficit.
Still, I think "Tax Me More" is a great idea that will raise lots of money once people are
made aware of the program. Especially around this time of year it's hard to find a person
who doesn't wish he could give more money to the state and federal governments. I know
that when I was writing out my check to the IRS, warm salty tears were streaming down
my face because I just didn't feel that I was giving enough.
I'm often overcome with the spirit of giving while doing my taxes, too. My wife has often
mistaken the shouts and strangled bleats that emanate from my office as obscenities when
what I'm really doing is yelling "Tax Me More! Tax Me More!" over and over again.
Even when my tax bill wipes me out, I would feel a patriotic duty to tap my emergency
fund, which consists of the loose change that's fallen underneath the sofa cushions, and
make an additional, voluntary, contribution to the government.
It wouldn't be much, I realize, but every penny helps support much-needed government
programs, like the impending war with Canada and the tax break for Bill Gates.
Tax Me More: For those who feel they haven't given enough.
Enjoy this writer's work? Why not sign-up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor David Grimes is a columnist for The Sarasota Herald Tribune. Comment by clicking here.
04/14/03: When good gourds go bad
04/11/03: One fish-tale that isn't --- and that's no lie!
04/02/03: Do you really want to know what your dog's thinking?
03/26/03: Pajamas make high school less stressful
03/21/03: It's time to be nice to the French
03/03/03: The ultimate clean and constructive sport
02/12/03: Get a bang out of cleaning with cruise vacuum
02/06/03: Voluntary kindness? Not likely
01/28/03: Signs our economy is on upswing
01/22/03: There may be cash in your old underwear
01/15/03: Banish these words, now more than ever
01/07/03: Coughing as an art form
12/24/02: Parents shell out for missed homework
12/17/02: French government says no to @ symbol
12/11/02: A latecomer joins fellowship of the DVD
12/02/02: Don't worry, be fat, unfit and really happy
11/18/02: Intrigued by a German invention that could get teens out of bed before the crack of noon
11/06/02: A noose by any other name ...
10/29/02: Iranian dogs on notice
10/22/02: Talk about a job that stinks --- literally!
10/15/02: The official world's funniest joke
10/02/02: Japanese turn eyes to computer haikus
09/27/02: Oh, no! Bosses want to know what's on your mind
09/24/02: An airbag, humanity's salvation?
09/17/02: DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!
09/06/02: Come listen to a story about a man named ... Bill
09/03/02: You're not in preschool anymore!
08/30/02: A charming idea from a brutal, whacked-out, megalomaniacal dictator-for-life
08/26/02: Blubber water? How to put on the pounds by gulping H20
08/21/02: The latest evidence that Mother Nature is out to kill us
08/13/02: Computers, airplanes and Canada don't mix
08/06/02: The sky's not falling? Dang it!
08/02/02: Some fond memories of worst TV shows
07/30/02: Pay my credit-card bill, please?
07/25/02: Something to celebrate
07/22/02: Baseball needs to ban the fans
07/16/02: Hasbro should consider new inaction figure
07/11/02: Decline in trash-talking is harming our mental health? Well, #@%&!
07/08/02 Americans retain right to fork tongues
07/01/02 These laws were made to be broken
06/18/02 Watching enough commercials?
06/03/02 Throwing your vote to the dogs
05/08/02
Hey, Mom, could you spare a dime?: Parents' obligations unending
© 2002, Sarasota Herald Tribune
|