In response to the newly raised taxes in Michigan, some people throw out the same bullshit apologies: “It’s not that bad,” they say. “I think that the taxes I pay to live in Michigan are a bargain compared to some other states,” say others. “Everyone should do their part, we’re in this mess together,” goes the familiar cry.

Needless to say, I appreciate Mr. Walsh’s level-headed approach – I really do. But he talks about budget decisions which have to be made, completely omitting the fact that it wasn’t the citizens who created the SNAFU, and it shouldn’t be the citizens who have to bear the burden of cleaning it up. He goes on to describe how wealthy we are as a country – neglecting to point out that we’re not wealthy because of taxes, we’re wealthy in spite of them! Further, he proposes that the amount of the tax increase (estimated at $210 for a family of 4 on $50,000) isn’t such a big deal, a point which is echoed by the commentators I paraphrased above.

But it is a big deal. Take a look at your YTD withholding, and you’ll probably vomit. With the money that various levels of government have taken from me this year, to-date, I could’ve paid for one of the following:

• A nice used car.
• A two-carat diamond ring
• Six mortgage payments in a modest suburban bungalow.

But what the hell – when you’ve already given the government a house – what’s another two hundred dollars?

If you’re happy paying your taxes, or even if you think you don’t pay enough – go right ahead, mail that check with a smile on your face, even send a little extra – but don’t ask to have mine raised, too. As another commentor put it so clearly, I’ll defer to Mike Smith:

It’s the height of SELFISHNESS to refrain from FREELY giving government
more money than required, yet seeking to FORCE one’s neighbors to have
even more of their hard-earned money legally confiscated from them — no
matter what the money ends up being used for.

Mike, there aren’t enough of you on the Freep message boards, keep up the good fight.

Previous post attacking Matt Stoller at DailyKos, here for his shameless fellating of the federal income tax.