Tyson Kirksey

Before reading any further, if you haven’t submitted your taxes, go take care of that now!

On my way to work this morning I listened to a caller gloat about not paying taxes in 14 years. No, he wasn’t exempt. He just claims that there is no law on the books that requires citizens to pay taxes, so whenever the IRS calls, he asks for the written document outlining his obligation. While I certainly don’t agree with this man (I believe we all owe taxes, because we all benefit from the government in some ways), the act of filing federal taxes is certainly not enjoyable (especially if you forgot to update your W-4 form like this genius).

There was a time not too long ago when our nation had a hope of tax reform. Our president formed a committee to research and present him a feasible tax reform option that would simplify the growing tax code. (Did you know that in the past 15 years, Congress has added an average of two lines a day to the tax code?) While I’m not a tax expert or economist, I was intrigued by the different options being thrown about. Flat tax. National sales tax. The eventual recommendations contained few earth-shattering changes, but would have simplified things considerably. That is, if Bush wouldn’t have thrown it away. Once again, Bush and Congress are too skeered to do anything constructive, adding tax reform to the team already featuring Social Security reform, national marriage ammendment, healthcare and government spending.

Oh…but good news. Pretty soon we’ll be at war with Iran! (Phhhhrhrrb!)

Tyson Politics