The Modern Myth

I was pleasantly relaxing on the couch, watching a financial analysis program, something I do each Monday when the markets close. The host was interviewing some tax official from the state of New York who was there to explain about a program where tax delinquents would have their names made public.

Now, no one likes tax cheats. Probably because we hate to pay taxes and are extremely jealous of anyone who doesn't pay them. It's not fair that they get to cheat and we don't, right?

The host tries to make a point about the possibility that there might be mistakes made and reputations damaged because of it. The host is a smart man and he knows his job is not to throw softballs but to play Devil's Advocate from time to time. He explains that government often makes errors and is slow to correct them. He also questions whether this isn't a bit of strong-arming?

The official starts to talk about fairness in reply. He speaks about how there are so many "overburdened taxpayers" who must pay more because these people are "not paying their fair share."

I was immediately reminded of the storeowners who talk about shoplifters and how they force prices up to pay for the losses.

Do any of you believe that prices and taxes would come down if all the shoplifters and all the tax cheats suddenly woke up tomorrow and started on the straight and narrow?

As my dear mother used to say... "Horse pucky!"

I think a tax revolt is coming in this country. I really do.