The Final Post

My mind is that of a synthesizer. I am easily able to objectively evaluate others' opinions and create my own view of their position. This has always been easy for me to do and has also been a very enjoyable part of my life. This portion of me will hopefully remain within me and not be lost to time as many attributes of a person may.

During my time as a blogger, I showed that it is very easy for me to see other points of view from the videos that I gathered and the news reports that I read in order to fully research my topic. I also was able to ask provocative questions of my audience. I had a couple people comment on my blog who were not from our AP Language class. This was unforseen and unexpected, though welcome. Lastly, I was able to experiment with new ideas. Near the end of my blog, I started to show the other side of the story, the people who were unwilling to pay more taxes due to their lack of approval of where their tax money was being spent. I was able to further understand and express other views which gave me a respect for their opinions and eventually, the people themselves.

Stop paying taxes!

STOP PAYING TAXES?!?!?!?

Some people believe that the taxes the government imposes upon its citizens are criminal. There are people who are sure that the only way to reform the tax system is to stop paying taxes. The Tea Party members are the main group that is in favor of not paying taxes anymore. The lack of governmental help is the reason why people do not want to pay taxes. This is a ploy to get government attention. The effect that Tea Party members are hoping for is a reform and change in the way our government handles our money.

TARP 2 Angry Taxpayers Across the US Protest

As an American tax payer, I would be willing to pay taxes as long as I could see/or be told what exactly my money is being spent on. I get a tax refund yearly due to the amount I make, but the money that the government does keep is for social security tax, which is money that I will never see again based on the way social security is set up. There are not enough people putting money into the system for it to continue being successful for a long time. The government does not allow for citizens of the country to know exactly what their tax dollars are spent on. I believe that if we knew exactly what bills and wars our money was financing, then we would be more willing to increase the amount of our money goes directly from our paychecks and into taxes.

Another possibility of why some people are more willing to pay taxes. In one article on npr.com, wealthy people were interviewed about a library in the inner city closing. Most of them adamantly said they would have been willing to pay more in taxes to keep this library open. While all of them had the opportunity to donate to the library to keep it from closing its doors forever.
Each of these people could have been saying they were willing to pay more taxes, but in reality, just wanted to be seen as generous, wealthy people. They all knew the library needed funding because of its location, and they all had the power and ability to donate to it. This shows a lack of attention and responsibility on the peoples' part. The wealthy might say they are willing to spend more of their earnings in taxes, but talk is talk, and their actions did not show their supposed willingness.

Lyrics of the famous Beatles song "Taxman" for enjoyment and an insight into the minds of the taxman!

One, two, three, four...
Hrmm!
One, two, (one, two, three, four!)

Let me tell you how it will be;
There's one for you, nineteen for me.
'Cause I�m the taxman,
Yeah, I�m the taxman.

Should five per cent appear too small,
Be thankful I don't take it all.
'Cause I�m the taxman,
Yeah, I�m the taxman.

(if you drive a car, car;) - I�ll tax the street;
(if you try to sit, sit;) - I�ll tax your seat;
(if you get too cold, cold;) - I�ll tax the heat;
(if you take a walk, walk;) - I'll tax your feet.

Taxman!

'Cause I�m the taxman,
Yeah, I�m the taxman.

Don't ask me what I want it for, (ah-ah, mister Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more. (ah-ah, mister heath)
'Cause I�m the taxman,
Yeah, I�m the taxman.

Now my advice for those who die, (taxman)
Declare the pennies on your eyes. (taxman)
'Cause I�m the taxman,
Yeah, I�m the taxman.

And you're working for no one but me.

Taxman!