As I queue this diary, I wonder how many familiar faces will be absent tonight, hunkered down trying to get TurboTax to the point where hitting SEND is an option. For the rest of you, follow me below the orange stack of tax forms, after a word from our sponsor...
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My facebook wall is full of people talking taxes. From those excited to be getting a refund to those cursing Obama and blaming him personally for the fact their kids aren't getting a vacation this year. One of the things I saw was this MoveOn video featuring Robert Reich:
There are as many diverse opinions on the complex issue of taxes and the spending thereof as there are people. Here's my take on things:
Taxes are a necessary part of a civil society, allowing it to pay for the things required to keep the claim of being a civil society.
I disagree with how some of my tax dollars are spent. I agree with other parts. The way in which I influence how these dollars are spent is via my vote. Deciding not to pay, trying to cheat on my return, or ranting on Facebook about how the government stole my money does not change how my tax dollars are spent, except that the IRS requires more money to conduct audits and citizens pay more taxes when fines are levied than they otherwise might have.
I believe one of the duties of a civil society is to provide a safety net for the weakest and most vulnerable members of our society. I do NOT believe that a safety net encourages people to be lazy, greedy or discourages a healthy work ethic in society.
I believe that those who earn more should pay more in taxes. That there are several hundred extraordinarily wealthy Americans paying far, far less than my family is, in my opinion, obscene.
What do you believe?
Oh - I also believe that music is good, and that ending this part of Top Comments should be with music, so enjoy a few songs before diving into the Tops, graciously formatted by BeninSC!
Taxman - The Beatles
Money - Pink Floyd
Money For Nothing - Dire Straights (THIS version has Mark Knopfler, Sting, Eric Clapton and Phil Collin. Listen to it!)
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Tonight's comments!
From bubbanomics:
This comment from DAISHI tells a stark truth about a former employer.
From BeninSC (flagged comments):
Flagged by Alice Olson, this comment by amoginesq dings whites for their judgments regarding blacks.
Flagged by lyvwyr101, this comment by Vita Brevis applauds Jack Gleeson in the role of Joffrey.
Flagged by awcomeon and California06, this comment by Glen The Plumber tells it all! Visit this one! A keeper! And to share!
From Yours Truly, brillig:
After reading Hunter's Happy Tax Day, non-corporate citizens of America, I want to be a super-duper person just like Puddytat describes!
Matt Esler's getting married! Wisper wonders if he's next.
and I found a flag:
bakeneko flagged this comment by Bob Love.
Top Mojo for yesterday, April 14th, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you
mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary
FAQing Top Mojo.
1) Do you think by SilverWillow — 135
2) If we're going to split hairs (hares?) we've by ontheleftcoast — 109
3) Now THIS is by side pocket — 91
4) Sorry by Eclectablog — 84
5) Why the Hell... by RichM — 81
6) This is one of the best quotes that answer that: by Tool — 74
7) "Power concedes nothing without a demand. by Greyhound — 74
8) Heh, that's because Wall Street is considered... by bobswern — 74
9) Must suck living in a world that has left you by rexymeteorite — 74
10) unfettered license to steal......... by allenjo — 72
11) Having lived with two of them for a year, by AnnieR — 69
12) You Can't Be Serious. LBJ Passed Medicare, Medicd, by Gooserock — 69
13) Soon the GOP will stop calling it Obamacare. They by doroma — 69
14) The government will never represent the public by commonmass — 67
15) They and the other wingnut propaganda by Mike S — 61
16) Wait for it, when they stop calling it Obamacare by ontheleftcoast — 60
17) Not 'just' amazing... by Rex Freedom — 59
18) Congrats! They never can believe we use volunteers by Lorikeet — 59
19) Open enrollment period ? by skepticalcitizen — 56
20) That picture says it all. by elwior — 55
21) Fox News by HamptonRoadsProgressive — 55
22) Brilliant. A worthy project. by peregrine kate — 53
23) Rare appearance by gchaucer2 — 53
24) If this is his idea of supporting by Wayward Wind — 52
25) It's also not news... by Chas 981 — 52
26) 'Amazing' is certainly one word for it. by ExpatGirl — 51
27) We should all purchase by orestes1963 — 50
28) Thanks for uncovering so much truth on Daily Kos by Brecht — 50
29) I do seem to recall Fox obsessing about some... by ht dave — 49
30) Sad for them by gchaucer2 — 49
Top Pictures for yesterday, April 14th. Click any image to be taken to the full comment. Thank you
jotter for the image magic!