Tax Day :(

Up until two years ago, there was very little positive about April 15th. My sister, however, saved the reputation of this day by having her seventh baby on April 15, 2009. We were so happy to have him join our extended family. He is the silver lining to the dark cloud of tax day.

First of all, I want to say that I understand that as citizens we need to pay SOME taxes. We do need roads, bridges, and a military. I would prefer the government get out of education, leaving this important topic to families and communities. Healthcare is also an area that government subsidies and regulations have harmed. So although I agree that limited taxes are necessary, I find the reasoning behind the decision of who pays and calculating how much they pay to be unjust and off the mark. I think the Lord designed the perfect fiscal plan. How much does the Lord require of us? He asks us to pay a "tithe" or 10% of our increase. It matters not if we are rich or poor or somewhere in between. All are required to pay the same percentage. This is certainly a remarkable number. Setting aside 10% of our increase causes us to live within our means, sacrifice, and recognize just where we get our "increase" to begin with. Although it is enough to cause us to pause and evaluate ourselves spiritually and financially, it is not a crippling percentage.

The whole idea of a progressive tax is unjust. Why--you may ask? Shoudn't billionaires like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have to pay a higher percentage of their income than the anonymous welfare mom down the street? In my opinion, NO! Ten percent of Steve Jobs' increase is a tremendous amount. Why should we--who did not conceive of, or develop--the Iphone or Ipad get to confiscate the fruits of his labors? He will already pay a vast amount more than the anonymous woman in the example.

Now, let's consider Mr. Jobs gets to keep his own money. Does he put it in his mattress and guard it like a miser--preventing other people from "sharing in the wealth"? Most likely not. He would more than likely invest in companies, municipalities, and maybe even real estate. This infusion of capital into the system only strengthens and builds it. Jobs are created and people once on unemployment are able to go back to work. Perhaps his wife--I'm assuming he's married, don't know for sure--frequents luxury businesses. You know the kind, those wealthy Ladies-who-lunch patronize. Perhaps she has a massage and a pedicure. Or maybe she has her hair colored and styled. Selfish, selfish behavior in these economic times, right? Totally unfair that she can obtain such luxuries when so many others can't, right? WRONG!!

Mrs. Jobs is giving business to the massage therapist. She is helping the pedicurist pay her rent. The hair stylist depends on her clients patronage so that she can buy groceries, etc.

The economy is far too big and much too complex to be "managed". It is laughable to even believe it is possible. Vigorous exchange within a free market allows the greatest prosperity for the most people. With more people keeping more of their own money, they are able to act on the economy in various and diverse ways. Businesses that provide meaningful products or services at competitive prices flourish; those that don't are allowed to fail. The free market system is truly the most efficient system known. Let's not cripple our own progress by focusing on equality of outcomes. Let us strengthen ourselves with equality of opportunity. This in addition to wise decision making and hard work will lead to greater and greater prosperity for ourselves and our families.