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Episode 515 (301) Rugged individualism & Politics
This is Retirement Talk. I'm Del Lowery.
I've entitled this podcast Rugged individualism & Politics
Rugged individualism is one of the American mantras. I vividly recall the story of Shane riding into that valley dominated by a rich, powerful cattle baron and nasty henchmen. And Shane, alone, rode into town knowing he faced overwhelming odds. In High Noon Gary Cooper walks down a deserted street to face three men intent on killing him. Luke Skywalker flies down the throat of a death starship. We love these stories of an individual going against all odds and emerging victorious. But sometimes this rugged individualism can lead to unintended consequences.
Certainly there is much to be said of the lone hero overcoming every difficulty and evil to achieve peace or success. For those of us with children or grandchildren the concern for our future as a civilization is always personal. We want Shane, Gary Cooper and Luke Skywalker to win. We want help.
Everyone concerned about the future wants to help. And how do we do that? Another way we can help is by working with others for the benefit of all. I know that government is sometimes used like a dirty word. But that is why we form government. We form it so it can help us.
My favorite phrases in the Declaration of Independence as to why we formed our government is "to Promote the General Welfare". Taxes are one way we illustrate our convictions. Civilization costs. Imagine a world in which we did not pay taxes and it is not pretty: no roads, police or fire protection, water/sewer systems, interstate commerce, legal system, welfare system, education system, safety regulations, etc. etc. it would be a bleak and savage world. I like all of those things and am willing to pay good money from my work - or retirement income- to support them.
It is quite common and acceptable to boast about how one beat paying taxes in one way or another. They sold this right before the deadline. They bought this right before the tax went on. They registered it in a way that certain taxes are avoided. It seems to be an ever creative task to avoid paying taxes. President Trump even boasted about not paying any taxes during a presidential debate.
Why aren't people proud to have paid more in taxes than anyone else? It could serve as another measure of patriotism. Imagine: "I contributed ten thousand dollars last year. Well I contributed Twenty. I contributed fifty. Imagine: General Electric could boast about hundreds of millions, Exon billions". The cliche "put your money where your mouth is" would take on real meaning. People and corporations would boast of their contributions.
Years ago in Alaska I was sitting at a large round table in a bar. There were probably eight to ten of us enjoying an afternoon beer or two. Taxes became a topic of conversation and I found out that I was the only one paying income tax that year. Everyone had invested in such tax exempt strategies so that they didn't pay a cent. All of them made more money than I did and yet they paid nothing and were proud of it. That just didn't seem right to me. And it certainly didn't seem like something to be proud of. Not in my mind.
Another friend of mine recently told me that he had escaped paying a large tax bill with the phrase, "I'm sure not going to be giving it to the government". That just doesn't play in my mind. Why is it so generally accepted to hate the very government that really regulates the country that has enable you to reap such good fortune?
The overall goal seems to be to get someone else to pay as much as possible and for me to pay as little as possible. We want someone else to foot the bill. We want them to pay. We want the benefits: national defense, education, law and order, transportation, commerce, etc but we don't want to pay for it. It is the "we" that gives us trouble.
Sometimes I think we should start a new political party entitled "We". It would be based on the premise that we should help and care for one another. That we all have rights and responsibilities to everyone else. We have rights to our privacy and responsibility for our public life. We would try to turn paying taxes into a brag-able activity.
Today was a beautiful day in Vancouver BC. The people were out on the trails, in the parks and on the water in large numbers. Everyone was enjoying the common space that sparkles. That is one of the big differences we notice when we cross the boarder each week. The Canadians have more of a sense of "We". They do pay higher taxes.
They pay higher taxes and they have many more social amenities. The park system is fantastic. The health care system covers all citizens - rich or poor. I personally have never heard of Canadians wishing for a system like America. We belong to a community health club in Vancouver that is very inexpensive and yet very good. My point is that the difference between the attitude concerning I and we is observable and measurable. Of course the difference in taxation is also measurable but somewhere the old phrase of "You get what you pay for" sticks in my mind.
I'm thankful for the Shanes, Gary Coopers, and Luke Skywalker attitude that is fostered in our culture. I just wish there was an equal adoration and emphasis placed on We.
This is Retirement Talk.
If you have comments, questions or stories to share contact: del@retirementtalk.org
A resource from a listener: Best Free Online Degrees for Seniors guide is designed to assist seniors who aspire to enhance their intellect or consider starting a new career path. It features an overview of the top online degrees for seniors, emphasizing their numerous advantages, and a broad range of subjects to choose from. A friend's website: Terra Firma Designs: Fine Furniture, Stained Glass and woodworking workshops. Copyright 2010 RetirementTalk.org |
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