Adopting a flat tax in place of our current complicated tax system is attractive to many people. Why? Because to the average person, the thought of a simple tax percentage that would be applied to all earned income sounds like an equitable and less complicated way to be taxed.
The benefit of a flat tax is that bookkeeping would be reduced or eliminated for most people. Paying high fees for professional tax help would be a thing of the past. How much money did you make last year? Just multiply that number by the flat tax rate and that's your income tax for the year.
There is a downside to a flat tax, however. Once our current, convoluted tax system is tossed out and a flat tax is adopted, everything will seem idyllic for a time. But soon, the same grumbling we used to hear from our politicians will be heard again. The percentage of flat tax is not pulling in enough money to fund everything the government wants to do. So, what do you think their answer will be?
Government prefers to look at taxpayers for more money rather than looking at itself for ways to live within its budget. Since raising the flat tax percentage would be viewed as punitive on lower-income families, the most likely scenario would be a surtax that would be imposed on to moderate- and higher-income taxpayers. This would be on top of the flat tax, not instead of it. The problem with the surtax, like the flat tax, is that it will be a fixed amount. Unalterable. Our current, convoluted tax system is out on the scrap heap, along with all of our tax credits and deductions.
With all our deductions and credits eliminated under the flat tax system, any flat tax or surtax imposed on our income can't be minimized. Currently, we can take deductions for charitable contributions, childcare expenses, real estate taxes, mortgage interest, educational expenses, deductible IRA contributions and many others to lower our taxable income, and thereby, our tax. A flat tax system would do away with these deductions. Permanently.
Believing that a flat tax would be a better way to tax our income is a fantasy. Even though it's complicated and a headache, our current tax system gives the taxpayer more opportunity to reduce tax liability. A flat tax system would give no such opportunity. Once our deductions are eliminated, they are gone for good. Let's not let that happen.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Tales from the Trip
Writing my thoughts has been a way to sooth myself and wind down from the day for as long as I can remember. I wouldn't slide between the sheets on my bed as a teenager before opening my spiral-bound journal. That journal was nothing fancy as a notebook, but within it covers held my deepest thoughts, feelings and ideas. At that time, it was the best friend I'd ever had. It never let me down, it was always there for me and it never failed to make me feel a lot better.
Although I am not very good at daily journaling anymore, I am a diehard travel journaler. Wherever I go, my travel journal is always close-at-hand. I write down the most mundane things that probably wouldn't matter to anyone, but some of those mundane details are what bring back to mind the richness of my travels.
After a 2-week trip to Africa during which time I was constantly writing my observations and feelings, I had a notebook full of just that: Thoughts and feelings. A fellow traveler with whom I made friends kept no notes at all. Yet, about a month after our safari, I got a group email from her. It was her travelogue. As I read through it, I was amazed at the level of detail and history present within her travelogue. She hadn't written anything down whatsoever during the trip. How had she remembered so much detail?
What lacked in her travelogue, however, was the richness of her thoughts and the softness of her feelings about the journey. Her travelogue, while complete, read more like a textbook. In comparison, mine was more of a romance novel, warm and full of love for Africa. Every feeling I felt while on that trip was present within the pages of my travel diary.
Is my travel journal something that is worthy of being shared with the public? Most of it is; some would be of no interest whatsoever. For the most part, though, it reveals my love of travel, my sheer eagerness to learn about a new culture, the amazement when things are so much different than I expected, and the humor I feel when things go so wrong.
Whether or not to journal while traveling is an individual choice. Those for whom writing is an essential aspect of being alive will certainly want to record all thoughts and feelings while traveling. Some of the smallest details that get recorded within a journal are the spark that light up wonderful ideas for future travel articles. To me, my travel journal is like an American Express Card. I wouldn't leave home without it!
Although I am not very good at daily journaling anymore, I am a diehard travel journaler. Wherever I go, my travel journal is always close-at-hand. I write down the most mundane things that probably wouldn't matter to anyone, but some of those mundane details are what bring back to mind the richness of my travels.
After a 2-week trip to Africa during which time I was constantly writing my observations and feelings, I had a notebook full of just that: Thoughts and feelings. A fellow traveler with whom I made friends kept no notes at all. Yet, about a month after our safari, I got a group email from her. It was her travelogue. As I read through it, I was amazed at the level of detail and history present within her travelogue. She hadn't written anything down whatsoever during the trip. How had she remembered so much detail?
What lacked in her travelogue, however, was the richness of her thoughts and the softness of her feelings about the journey. Her travelogue, while complete, read more like a textbook. In comparison, mine was more of a romance novel, warm and full of love for Africa. Every feeling I felt while on that trip was present within the pages of my travel diary.
Is my travel journal something that is worthy of being shared with the public? Most of it is; some would be of no interest whatsoever. For the most part, though, it reveals my love of travel, my sheer eagerness to learn about a new culture, the amazement when things are so much different than I expected, and the humor I feel when things go so wrong.
Whether or not to journal while traveling is an individual choice. Those for whom writing is an essential aspect of being alive will certainly want to record all thoughts and feelings while traveling. Some of the smallest details that get recorded within a journal are the spark that light up wonderful ideas for future travel articles. To me, my travel journal is like an American Express Card. I wouldn't leave home without it!
Night Sounds of Africa
I've long loved the night sounds of Kansas, the crickets, the cicadas, the wind in the trees. Imagine my delight discovering a new world of night sounds in Kenya. Surrounded by mosquito netting in my bed at Samburu Game Lodge, I could hear the elephants splashing in the river as they trumpeted in the night. Flashlights glinted below my room as the natives patrolled, keeping the wild animals away from our sleeping quarters.
At Mara Simba Lodge in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, again, my room was just yards from the river. This particular evening, the night sounds came from hippos roaring and the rumblings of a Kenyan thunderstorm headed our way. The windows had to be kept shut to keep out the pesky spider monkeys but the hippos were close enough to hear all through the night.
A sandbar on the opposite side of the river was the focus from the open-air Mara Simba lounge where we drank Tusk beer while watching a croc come out of the river and lie down next to a mama hippo with her baby. I expected one or the other to growl or move away, but they rested side-by-side on the sandbar. The air was filled with the Swahili-accented voices of two Masai teens as they sang folk songs. Nothing beats listening to Kumbaya in the night air of Kenya.
And, like the title of a song they sang, I admit, "I Love Ya, Kenya".
At Mara Simba Lodge in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, again, my room was just yards from the river. This particular evening, the night sounds came from hippos roaring and the rumblings of a Kenyan thunderstorm headed our way. The windows had to be kept shut to keep out the pesky spider monkeys but the hippos were close enough to hear all through the night.
A sandbar on the opposite side of the river was the focus from the open-air Mara Simba lounge where we drank Tusk beer while watching a croc come out of the river and lie down next to a mama hippo with her baby. I expected one or the other to growl or move away, but they rested side-by-side on the sandbar. The air was filled with the Swahili-accented voices of two Masai teens as they sang folk songs. Nothing beats listening to Kumbaya in the night air of Kenya.
And, like the title of a song they sang, I admit, "I Love Ya, Kenya".
Going Green, Going Gasless
Are electric vehicles the answer to high gas prices?
I have no definitive proof that electric vehicles would be the answer to high gas prices but I don't think they are the complete answer. What I do know, however, is that the more demand there is for a product, the higher the price will be. Simple economics teaches that the price of a product will rise as demand for it goes up. The way to reduce the price of gasoline is to change our behavior.
Electric cars would be one solution since they are gas efficient, but it's only a partial solution. In the United States, we are accustomed to abundance and instant gratification. Until and unless people exercise responsibility in their choices, things will continue in the same direction. This doesn't only apply to the cost of gasoline.
Responsibility, behavior modification and sensitivity to how our actions affect the greater good are the answer to high gas prices as well as most of the ills that affect our world today. People have been trampled underfoot at WalMart because shoppers were so focused on acquiring a DVD player; the fact that they were trampling on someone didn't seem to matter. The end is worth the means. The same thing happens at ball games and rock concerts.
If material possessions and games are more important to consumers than the people around them, how can we expect these same people to be considerate of our natural resources or the global economy? The current mindset precludes caring about the effects of our actions. Whatever we want, we can have whatever the cost.
The answer to higher gas prices is to alter our behavior and change the choices we make. Driving a more efficient car is a good start, but efficiency often requires giving up glamour, space and power. Drive less. Car pool. Take the bus. Walk. There are many answers, but are the right people asking the question? The people who care about consumption issues are already doing what they can. Those who don't care won't change their behavior unless the high cost of gas forces them to.
In my opinion, the answer to higher gas prices is: Higher gas prices. Americans won't care about it until it's worth its weight in gold. Only then will they drive smaller cars, take the bus when feasible and, yes, even put on a pair of sneakers and walk.
Our behavior as consumers reflects what kind of people we are. What does your behavior say about you?
I have no definitive proof that electric vehicles would be the answer to high gas prices but I don't think they are the complete answer. What I do know, however, is that the more demand there is for a product, the higher the price will be. Simple economics teaches that the price of a product will rise as demand for it goes up. The way to reduce the price of gasoline is to change our behavior.
Electric cars would be one solution since they are gas efficient, but it's only a partial solution. In the United States, we are accustomed to abundance and instant gratification. Until and unless people exercise responsibility in their choices, things will continue in the same direction. This doesn't only apply to the cost of gasoline.
Responsibility, behavior modification and sensitivity to how our actions affect the greater good are the answer to high gas prices as well as most of the ills that affect our world today. People have been trampled underfoot at WalMart because shoppers were so focused on acquiring a DVD player; the fact that they were trampling on someone didn't seem to matter. The end is worth the means. The same thing happens at ball games and rock concerts.
If material possessions and games are more important to consumers than the people around them, how can we expect these same people to be considerate of our natural resources or the global economy? The current mindset precludes caring about the effects of our actions. Whatever we want, we can have whatever the cost.
The answer to higher gas prices is to alter our behavior and change the choices we make. Driving a more efficient car is a good start, but efficiency often requires giving up glamour, space and power. Drive less. Car pool. Take the bus. Walk. There are many answers, but are the right people asking the question? The people who care about consumption issues are already doing what they can. Those who don't care won't change their behavior unless the high cost of gas forces them to.
In my opinion, the answer to higher gas prices is: Higher gas prices. Americans won't care about it until it's worth its weight in gold. Only then will they drive smaller cars, take the bus when feasible and, yes, even put on a pair of sneakers and walk.
Our behavior as consumers reflects what kind of people we are. What does your behavior say about you?
Monday, August 2, 2010
People People - August 3, 2010
I somehow give the impression that I'm an outgoing, extroverted and possibly even a people person. A people person? Me?
Not a chance.
I took an in-depth test one time to determine the truth of my slant. Introverted? Extroverted? Let the truth be known.
It came up 50/50. So, I can truthfully claim to be either...or both....or maybe even neither. The true test of introversion and extroversion is the answer to this: How do you recharge your personal batteries? Does retreating and having personal space refresh you? Or, does going out and being with friends recharge you?
For me, it's personal space. Quiet time. Being by myself.
I enjoy my personal space so much that I prefer solo travel, vacations, even road trips. To have it any other way is a drain on my resources.
To those who think I'm a People Person, I'm sorry to say, it just isn't true. I can be outgoing temporarily; I can chat it up as well as anyone, and I often even talk too much. It's a short-lived push into the other side of my personality and I tire of it quickly.
I admire those who are People People. I think they have more fun in life because people can be fun. For now, though, I am satisfied with a quieter life.
Not a chance.
I took an in-depth test one time to determine the truth of my slant. Introverted? Extroverted? Let the truth be known.
It came up 50/50. So, I can truthfully claim to be either...or both....or maybe even neither. The true test of introversion and extroversion is the answer to this: How do you recharge your personal batteries? Does retreating and having personal space refresh you? Or, does going out and being with friends recharge you?
For me, it's personal space. Quiet time. Being by myself.
I enjoy my personal space so much that I prefer solo travel, vacations, even road trips. To have it any other way is a drain on my resources.
To those who think I'm a People Person, I'm sorry to say, it just isn't true. I can be outgoing temporarily; I can chat it up as well as anyone, and I often even talk too much. It's a short-lived push into the other side of my personality and I tire of it quickly.
I admire those who are People People. I think they have more fun in life because people can be fun. For now, though, I am satisfied with a quieter life.
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