Increasing Taxes

Just a thought: Why do so many conservatives get bent out-of-shape over the idea of increasing taxes? It's fairly clear by this chart (http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/151.html) that the current tax bracket set-up is a very recent innovation. I can understand if the voters of my generation cannot wrap their minds around tax rates of 50% (or even higher!) for the extremely wealthy. It's simple: they have not been exposed to this. But what is the excuse for the majority of conservative voters? Older people who are no doubt familiar with these historical precedents. Reducing the deficit does not happen magically, and it certainly will not occur through the simple hack-and-slash of government programs. It is my belief that people need to start realizing that we are a developed, democratic country and that in order to live in the type of society we have enjoyed for so long, we need to start paying for it somehow.

I think the bigger problem is that people take our way of life for granted. You hate paying taxes? Go live in the DRC and enjoy your tax-free existence.

Summer Time

Today is June 1st. While Summer does not officially begin for several weeks, I feel compelled to address the turn of the season. I live in New England and am therefore blessed to encounter each season in new and exciting ways every year. The weather, the foilage, the smells, everything changes at least a dozen times a year and sometimes I can't even imagine what it was like to live just two months ago. Right now the humidity is overpowering, everything feels wet. In addition to all of the humidity, the temperature is rising. The past week has been brutal, a living sauna, hell on earth without a clear reason for damnation. I stepped into my car and literally watched sweat seep out of my skin. The nights are still cool, but this will only last so long. Before long, the Northern Summer Air will creep through the windows and sweat through the walls and there will be no safe haven from its oily and malignant arms. This has not happened yet, and I am still gloriously happy with the changes. I have not yet forgotten the old; the cold; the snow and the bitter ice and the constant salt stains on every surface. The summer is still my lover. I have not yet grown tired of her. She has not yet suffocated me. But I have played this game every year for years and years. Soon I will look desperately ahead for the icy, chilling embrace of winter.