2012 conventions 2012 election 2013 session 2013 special election arts arts and culture author ballot measures basketball bomb books boy scouts budget bullying business charlie hales children clackamas climate change coal college courts crime culture culture club democrats drugs economy education environment family film fluoride food gay rights guns handguns health health care health insurance high school history housing immigration international internet kitzhaber law legislature lgbt literary arts living marijuana marriage media medicine mental health military minor parties mohamed mohamud movies music native americans news newspaper obama olympics oregon our town parenting pers photography police politcs politics port portland portland business journal president prevention public safety religion republicans rnc romney rural salem sam adams sandy hook schools science shooting sports suicide supreme court taxes technology television terrorism theater third parties transportation union university of oregon washington wildfire women

 

There's been a shift if in the social language in this country in the past couple of decades. Perhaps it began with Reagan's presidency. The word "TAXES" has become a "dirty word" - like the word "Communist" used to be  when we were kids in the 1950's, or "Liberal" has become in the past couple of decades. A "dirty word" is - an enemy; a danger- something to be fought against. A threat.

In  tandem  has been the legitimization of the "ME FIRST" thinking. It's become okay to be totally self centered. Those protected under the umbrella of "Big Government" and ... TAXES....  uh, the ones who  who don't have a voice in social discourse: (the children, the elderly, the disabled) - they'll just have to fend  for themselves. 

So let's return to "US citizenship 101:" 

 

"TAXES" are not some kind of "enemy" to be avoided and fought.

TAXES are a fundamental civic responsibility for ADULTS in a CIVIL SOCIETY. "Every man for himself" is NOT the credo this country was based upon! If we allow our emotions to be hijacked by those whose mantra is  "Fight Taxation" as some kind of "evil" - the cost will be a depravation in the quality of life - FOR ALL!

To those who wish to threaten us by saying they'll take their money and run (elsewhere) - I say:  "Good riddance!  Take your  "me first"  mindset  and addiction to consumerism with you!"

 There will always be others ready to come here; ones who will appreciate the uniqueness of what Oregon has to offer- not monitarily based, that which should be cherished and protected. And, yes, that which deserves to be paid for: a decent education. (even if your OWN children HAVE finished THEIR schooling.)

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
view in context