Starting in January it may be just a niggling buzz in the back of your mind—income taxes. By February the buzz starts getting a bit louder but not loud enough to do anything thereby shutting down that buzzing through action. In March it is less a buzz than a bellow for immediate action. So you start gathering receipts or anything else pertaining to filing your income tax return. Hopefully by April 1st you will be ready to start filling out the forms so your return will meet the filing deadline of April 15th.
Most of us don’t like doing our taxes. It can be complicated, confusing and time consuming. The richest among us have accountants who do their taxes and the rich-rich don’t even see the forms, don’t spend hours with a calculator manipulating the numbers or one second researching what deductions they may be entitled to. Frankly, they don’t worry about their taxes, bless their hearts. But it shows the complete disconnect in this country between the haves and have-nots.
The richest complain bitterly about how much they may have to pay. They complain about how unfair they are being treated. So they hire accountants. Professionals who can find an obscure loophole in a pile of elephant manure if it will cut tax liability. And not only do they find it but they take great gratification in doing so. Cheers for lower taxes, huh?
On the other hand, real people pay their taxes; pay into Social Security when they have a job where they get issued a W2 in January. While we may grumble (obviously), we know part of the privilege of getting to live in this beautiful country is paying our fair share. And we do. Is it equally prorated? Do the lower and middle class pay more? Sure because we don’t have the ability to get our taxes done by expensive accountants who know how to game the system. Accountants who know which loopholes will result in less tax liability. Is it fair? Absolutely F***in’ not. But we honor our responsibility to the country. So what don’t the rich understand, hmm?
There are children that go hungry in the richest nation on the planet. Kids that only eat regularly during the school year or when the food banks are full. Richest nation on earth.
There are children who don’t have access to computers or laptops (or WiFi) to do their schoolwork. Their families cannot afford to provide that kind of expensive tool. Richest nation on earth.
Food deserts where there is no grocery store for miles. If you don’t have access to a car, when you need to get your groceries you may have to take a bus (or two) to the closest grocery store which is sometimes 25+ minutes away. You shop for the week-perhaps two. You then have to wait for your bus home. You get back on your bus(es) and ride another 25+ minutes home. While you are traveling, you hope nothing melts or gets warm before you can get it home. Richest nation on earth.
Some seniors have to choose between eating or filling prescriptions. Between getting necessary surgery or living with the pain or life threatening consequences if you don’t get your medications . Choose getting needed hearing aids, dentures, wheelchairs, walkers or canes. Now, with the cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, this becomes a more serious concern for our senior citizens. Richest nation on earth.
Veterans who voluntarily enlisted to defend this country, return damaged physically or emotionally or both. Some struggle just making it day to day. They need assistance with mental and physical health, a place to live, a job to give their lives purpose. The families of serving veterans struggle to have food, a place to live they can afford and child care while they work. Cuts to Medicaid will devastate their lives. Richest nation on earth.
Children and adults with physical, emotional and developmental problems need special programs and services to navigate the world. They need to be able to thrive independently. The cuts to Medicaid (just one government program) will end their ability to be able to do that. Richest nation on earth.
But the rich don’t concern themselves with these trivial matters because why should they? After all, they live in the richest nation on earth. They have business and personal accountants who make sure they don’t need to worry about such things as being able to eat regularly, prescription costs, getting the best medical care available. They just plan those big, luxurious vacations. Spend time in their lavish vacation homes. Drive expensive cars to their grand homes in a gated neighborhood, et al and etc. Where else would you be in the richest nation on earth?
One could ponder, as one sometimes does, why someone who has so much wouldn’t want to realize their responsibility to a country that has allowed them to have so much. One would think they would willingly pay for the privilege of living in this beautiful country. To appreciate all this country has to offer; the richness of diversity, equity and inclusions. After all, how much money does one really need? Can’t take it with you. I mean you can always endow a college or university. Fund a wing in a hospital, build a new athletic field for your Alma Mater. But wouldn’t it be more fulfilling to actually See how your wealth could enrich people’s lives? Perhaps help eliminate food deserts ensuring every child has enough to eat so they continue to thrive. Be a philanthropist who makes sure children have the tools necessary to be successful in school. Instead of just another building with your name on it, fund research in medicine and science, climate change or renewable energy. Maybe the uber-wealthy could stop looking for ways to cut services for those who have less just so the rich can continue to keep more. Richest nation on earth? Maybe those fortunate rich of the richest nation on earth need to be more mindful of the needs of others. Need to be more grateful for all they have. And feel the pride of having a hand in helping the other people of the richest nation on earth, thrive.
Soosey’s Ruminations 