Why Taxes?

taxes are always a hot spot in political elections. as a capitalistic society, we tend to be very protective of our money. in general, we want our money to remain exactly that -- ours! it takes a lot of faith and forward thinking to step out of an self-centric mindset and realize that if we all pay a little for national costs, things are better for everyone. 

i believe taxes are necessary. how else can a country run? through our system of capitalism, individual citizens are responsible for their own wealth. along the same vein, these individual citizens must then be responsible for globally beneficial things like roads and schools. this is opposed to a communist country which makes/controls wealth and then must fork over the funds for government provided things. 

so, i'm not opposed to taxes. everyone chips in. everyone benefits. 

i have a big problem with big taxes for some and no taxes for others. i have a big problem with benefits and no costs. 

this article published today by CNN claims that 47% of households in america don't pay any federal tax at all. guess what? i pay tax. i've paid into the system (meaning that I owed some amount of tax money regardless of refunds that are based on what i choose to set aside) for nine years. i belong to one of the 53% of american households paying to run this country. 

i'm not always happy about what our taxes go to, and that is a different discussion. but i do know that my taxes fund very important things like public education, roads, student loan programs, police and military protection, and more things that have made my life what it is. 

i don't think it's okay that 47% of households don't pay taxes. 

i really, really don't. 

i also think our tax system is way screwy. because I've seen the way the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints successfully manages its business with tithing funds, i am a big supporter of a flat tax law. the lds Church asks for 10%. if you make $30,000, then you pay 10% of that. if you make $1 billion a year, you pay 10% of that. if you make nothing, you pay nothing.  it's even. it's fair. no taxing the rich to feed the poor. no hand-outs. no benefits without contribution. 

for the last couple years my income tax usually hovered around 25% of my income. and many others pay much more than that. it isn't fair that 47% of households won't pay tax this year. and i'm not okay with carrying one half of the nation on my paycheck.