Merry Shopping! Ho ho ho!
Yes, it’s that time of the year again. Shopping Season! The happiest time of the year!
Believe it or not, I’ve been rather jolly and more generous this year than most. While not exactly a Scrooge, I’m typically pretty tight and admittedly quite selfish and would gladly prefer to receive than give. This year has been different. I’ve participated in a couple of gift exchanges at work. I’ve been more generous with tips when dining out. Hey, I’ve even dropped money into the occasional gift basket here and there. Why the difference?
My wife and I have decided to stop buying into the hype and frenzy of the Capitalmas Season. We aren’t buying gifts for each other, and are only giving modest presents to family and friends. In other words, we’re giving purposely. Rather than buy something just because it’s a “hot” item or the Thneed that everybody is buying, we’re putting time and thought into every and any gifts we buy. That means some of our gifts will be sent out late (or possibly not at all). Buying meaningfully takes time and effort, and we refuse to settle on something just because it’s there.
I especially enjoyed our Secret Santa gift exchange at work. We filled out questionnaires about our likes and dislikes. I read my recipient’s answers and had a long discussion with my wife about what would be nice to give. Together, we created themes for each day. A tube of lip gloss and nail polish became “pamper yourself” day. A bag a chips and a mainstream magazine became “take some time to relax” day. Each day for a week, I dropped something small in her mailbox with a little note explaining the theme. The items were small and inexpensive (as per our Secret Santa rules), but the thought and care put into the gifts made them large and valuable. I gave with a purpose.
For my own family, my primary gift is the one thing no one else can give, and that’s my mere presence.
Being there.
I believe that’s the true gift of Christmas.
Dear Readers, I sincerely hope that some (or all) of you will take the time to give with a purpose, and remember not to forget the most important gift you can gift: your love and presence. Be there and enjoy each other.
73,
William
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Taxation Without Representation in the 21st Century
The United States of America began as a British colony, and still could be part of the British Commonwealth today if not for a serious flaw in the tax structure between the Colonists and the British Parliament. The colonies had no representation in Parliament, and thus no say in the taxes imposed upon them. The term "taxation without representation" came into play during the 1760's, and played a significant contribution to the Declaration of Independence.
Have we gone back to taxation without representation? Ask any resident of Washington D.C. and the answer might be "did we ever leave it?" What about the rest of us? The folks in Washington state, Florida, Nebraska, Utah, Alaska, Hawaii, or any of the other forty-four state not yet mentioned? Are US citizens in these states now being taxed without proper taxation? The author of this blog believes so.
Dear reader, I personally believe I am taxed without representation. My tax dollars go to the federal government, and from there are to be spent wisely by my elected representatives in the House and Senate. According to the War Resisters League [www.warresisters.org], 51% (or $1,228 billion) of our federal funds go toward current and past military expenses, including the so-called "war on terror."
Hey, this ain't my war, and it sure ain't how I want my hard-earned money to be spent. I want my tax dollars to be spent on education and healthcare. I want my tax dollars to provide homes for those less fortunate. I want my tax dollars to help bridge the gap between the wealthy elite and the poorest among us. I want my representatives to enact laws to curb corporate rights and defend the environment. I want my representatives to act on the issues I feel are most important, not spend my money foolishly on the wrong war at the wrong time in the wrong place.
Perhaps I am at fault. When I was a resident of Nebraska, I wrote the occasional letter to my congressmen when an issue arose. I'm sad to report that I have not yet written my representatives since I moved to Illinois last summer. My goal for the next week is to change that. I plan to find out who my national and state level representatives are, and to write each of them a heartfelt letter stating in no uncertain terms exactly how I'd like to tax dollars to be spent. The cynic in me expects the usual canned, stamped-signature response with no change in our government's laws or spending. That means less civil liberties, more social welfare for wealthy corporations, and continued support for war and torture. But the helpless dreamer in me (which only makes rare appearances) hopes to receive a personally written and signed reply, and maybe – just maybe – a change in direction for the county which I am a citizen of.
For those few of you who have taken the time to read this far, thank you for your valuable time and for listening to this one man speak what you may or may not agree with.
73,
William
Have we gone back to taxation without representation? Ask any resident of Washington D.C. and the answer might be "did we ever leave it?" What about the rest of us? The folks in Washington state, Florida, Nebraska, Utah, Alaska, Hawaii, or any of the other forty-four state not yet mentioned? Are US citizens in these states now being taxed without proper taxation? The author of this blog believes so.
Dear reader, I personally believe I am taxed without representation. My tax dollars go to the federal government, and from there are to be spent wisely by my elected representatives in the House and Senate. According to the War Resisters League [www.warresisters.org], 51% (or $1,228 billion) of our federal funds go toward current and past military expenses, including the so-called "war on terror."
Hey, this ain't my war, and it sure ain't how I want my hard-earned money to be spent. I want my tax dollars to be spent on education and healthcare. I want my tax dollars to provide homes for those less fortunate. I want my tax dollars to help bridge the gap between the wealthy elite and the poorest among us. I want my representatives to enact laws to curb corporate rights and defend the environment. I want my representatives to act on the issues I feel are most important, not spend my money foolishly on the wrong war at the wrong time in the wrong place.
Perhaps I am at fault. When I was a resident of Nebraska, I wrote the occasional letter to my congressmen when an issue arose. I'm sad to report that I have not yet written my representatives since I moved to Illinois last summer. My goal for the next week is to change that. I plan to find out who my national and state level representatives are, and to write each of them a heartfelt letter stating in no uncertain terms exactly how I'd like to tax dollars to be spent. The cynic in me expects the usual canned, stamped-signature response with no change in our government's laws or spending. That means less civil liberties, more social welfare for wealthy corporations, and continued support for war and torture. But the helpless dreamer in me (which only makes rare appearances) hopes to receive a personally written and signed reply, and maybe – just maybe – a change in direction for the county which I am a citizen of.
For those few of you who have taken the time to read this far, thank you for your valuable time and for listening to this one man speak what you may or may not agree with.
73,
William
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