When I was growing up on a farm in southern Indiana, I remember years when my parents didn’t pay taxes. That meant it was a bad year, and the farm didn’t turn a profit. I could tell, when my dad had to pay taxes. He had a feeling of pride and relief. It wasn't such a bad year. Maybe it was these memories that balance my dread of the tax bill with a positive feeling that I am doing well and able to help the country provide all the things we take for granted. Yes, take all the deductions you’re entitled to, then pay what you owe!
But what I read these days makes it clear the wealthy are entitled to a lot more deductions that the middle class. I hate it when I read the Jeff Bezos, Elan Mush, Michael Bloomberg, Warren Buffett, and yes, Donald Trump pay ridiculously low taxes. I hate it when I read that those of us in lower income brackets are more likely to be audited than those in higher brackets. It’s not fair and it’s not good for the well-being of our country—our democracy.
It’s hard to feel good about paying taxes, but ideally, we should know, somewhere in our thoughts, that taxes are about sharing, connection, safety, and caring. Ask your legislators to make our tax system fairer and more efficient.
