The older I get, the more I hear people complain about taxes. When you're a kid, you say, "Santa's going to bring me presents this year! I just know it!" When you're an adult, that sentiment transforms into, "There are only two guarantees in life: Death and taxes."
Think about how much you thought and talked about taxes growing up. That didn't take long, did it? Same here. I doubt I even knew what taxes were until I reached middle or high school. Little did I realize taxes, from people I'd probably never interact with in my life, were largely responsible for my safety, transportation, and education, among other things. Sadly, I, like most kids, took these services for granted. In hindsight, I of course appreciate them more. Oddly enough, it seems many adults, while being as ignorant as I was about taxes and the benefits they provided growing up, either remain ignorant of said benefits or take on the selfish mindset of, "I got mine growing up. Good luck getting yours. Not my problem."
Look, I get it. Once a person starts making a good income, they feel like they made it, and have earned the right to make the very most of the money. What these individuals seem to fail to realize, however, is that they didn't "build that" all by themselves. They should express some gratitude to all those whom made their opportunities and success possible. This is where taxes come into play. The cycle continues.
I have a starkly different perspective on taxes than the before-mentioned individuals. Oddly enough, I actually look forward to the day when I can pay a good percentage in taxes. Why? For one, that would mean I'd made it, that I had achieved my dream. Secondly, it would allow me to feel like I'm giving back, like I'm helping kids grow up with the same opportunities I did. Now that I have a greater understanding of taxes and their benefits, I'll be eternally grateful for the benefits they've provided me, especially growing up. The last thing I'd want to do is deprive the next generations of those benefits because of greed. The saying goes, "There are two guarantees in life: Death and taxes." I'd like to change that up some. One guarantee is, before death, you can help instill life through taxes.
Think about how much you thought and talked about taxes growing up. That didn't take long, did it? Same here. I doubt I even knew what taxes were until I reached middle or high school. Little did I realize taxes, from people I'd probably never interact with in my life, were largely responsible for my safety, transportation, and education, among other things. Sadly, I, like most kids, took these services for granted. In hindsight, I of course appreciate them more. Oddly enough, it seems many adults, while being as ignorant as I was about taxes and the benefits they provided growing up, either remain ignorant of said benefits or take on the selfish mindset of, "I got mine growing up. Good luck getting yours. Not my problem."
Look, I get it. Once a person starts making a good income, they feel like they made it, and have earned the right to make the very most of the money. What these individuals seem to fail to realize, however, is that they didn't "build that" all by themselves. They should express some gratitude to all those whom made their opportunities and success possible. This is where taxes come into play. The cycle continues.
I have a starkly different perspective on taxes than the before-mentioned individuals. Oddly enough, I actually look forward to the day when I can pay a good percentage in taxes. Why? For one, that would mean I'd made it, that I had achieved my dream. Secondly, it would allow me to feel like I'm giving back, like I'm helping kids grow up with the same opportunities I did. Now that I have a greater understanding of taxes and their benefits, I'll be eternally grateful for the benefits they've provided me, especially growing up. The last thing I'd want to do is deprive the next generations of those benefits because of greed. The saying goes, "There are two guarantees in life: Death and taxes." I'd like to change that up some. One guarantee is, before death, you can help instill life through taxes.
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