Sassy Meets Sweet

I dreamed I met Shirley Temple.

It was really the current, grown-up Mrs. Shirley Temple Black, who just celebrated her 80th birthday this week. In the dream there was a small gathering, maybe a dinner. Shirley wore blue, looked beautiful, and appeared very spry. I met her, wished her happy birthday and we chatted a bit (don’t remember what we said but it was fan-to-idol kind of talk – I was the fan) and then the dream moved on to something about guinea hens in the backyard and where was my dog and other things that had nothing to do with each other (it was a dream, after all).

I grew up watching Shirley Temple movies and always loved her determination and sweetness, which put together I would call “feistiness.” I think Shirley must be that way in real life. In fact, having run for Congress and then serving as a United States Ambassador those qualities would likely have been a requirement, along with huge doses of intellect and diplomacy.

Feisty is the sweet version of sassy. I think if we met in real life, Feisty Shirley and Sassy Susan would get along very, very well.

Sassy on Taxes

Susan's feeling especially sassy today. It's tax day, April 15th. 'Nuff said. Well, maybe not quite e'nuff. Here are some thoughts on taxes, paying taxes, the tax system, who pays taxes, and who doesn't.

I don't mind paying taxes and think everyone should pay some. I appreciate that the federal government provides infrastructure and national defense and probably a few other things that I take for granted.

What's wrong with someone wanting to work hard and earn a good living? Operative word being "earning." Isn't it fair that if you earn it, you should get to keep it? Well, most of it.

What's wrong with being rich? It beats being poor. I'd bet money (if I bet, but I don't bet) that more poor people than rich people received and spent part of the taxes that I paid last year. (Think about that. Bet it's true with you, too.)

Why is it that it's so easy for a poor person to cheat the tax system? (That is a fact.) If they're savvy enough to do that, aren't they smart enough to earn a living? Is getting a taxpayer handout more fulfilling than providing an honest living for one's family? I'd be willing to bet (if I bet) that more poor people cheat the tax system than do rich people.

Cheating the tax system is breaking the law. Rich people use tax law to pay less taxes than some think they should. That isn’t breaking the law.

Don't blame the IRS. Blame Congress. Then fire Congress. Hire a new group who are willing to do something about the tax mess. Especially hire Congress people who support the FairTax. And those who believe it's okay to work for a living – and get rich.